A Book about Different Abilities and More!

Now and then a book moves me in ways beyond what the creator/s may have intended. Today’s featured book is one of those. When I read it, I wanted to talk about it with many people. I knew you would be part of my imaginary conversations!

Picture Book: What Happened to You?

Author: James Catchpole

Illustrator: Karen George 

Summary: This beautiful story is from the point of view of Joe, a young boy who has one leg. Before the story begins, you see Joe tossing aside his crutches. Then he skillfully plays a favorite game on a balance beam - a game that involves imaginary sharks. Next this powerful sentence appears: Sharks were easy compared to kids Joe hadn't met yet. WOW! Spend some time here!

An outspoken and curious young girl, who we later learn is Simone, comes to Joe, declares the obvious, and asks the title question. 

Surprisingly, Joe replies, "What do you think?" Simone guesses and questions more. Other children join in. Joe answers their creative guesses while adeptly climbing. Eventually, you have this: 

Spend some time here also. 

Then Simone finally joins Joe. They say their names and play together imaginatively. Others join in. I wonder what would have happened if Simone had begun their friendship this way. The story ends with Simone asking if Joe "gets bored of that question about your leg, that you don't have." Again, Joe asks what she thinks and if she still needs to know what happened. Simone answers, No!" Joe likes that answer.

Hanna’s Comments: The cover of this book is subtle, then striking so I would begin a reading by allowing your audience to react silently. The power of this book is Joe's deep hurt and frustration. He just wants to play - in amazing ways! Talk about how some people can skillfully hide their hurt and frustration.

I was struck with how Joe's response to the title question parallels the response many Americans who are non-white experience when those in the white majority (I'm in this category), insensitively ask questions or expect explanation & affirmation. I know I have much to learn! It is not the responsibility of my non-white acquaintances and friends to be my teachers.

At the end of the book is a letter from the author to parents about how children want to know all about every disabled person they see. Read this to yourself no matter your parental status. James Catchpole has one leg so his letter is particularly instructive. He explains that people with disabilities don't want to be everyone's teachable moment. 

 

I have recently discovered a book series called A First Look at.... This series has a similar book titled Don’t Call Me Special: A First Look at Disability by Pat Thomas & Lesley Harker. It is not a story. Instead it explores experiences and poor assumptions people make about people with differing abilities. The book series offers valuable entry points on a large variety of topics. Every few pages, they offer excellent questions for reflection. For a list of books in the series, check the website here. You might choose not to read one of these books aloud but instead allow it to bring you to more a sensitive understanding, design an activity, or help you anticipate issues that might arise.

Original Publisher: Faber & Faber, 2021

Age Appropriateness: 4 and up

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: The self-righteous Pharisee - who judges the tax collector (Luke 18:9-14); Zacchaeus - who was a climber in a tree, feeling very different & alone (Luke 19:1-10); the Syrophoenician woman - who was judged harshly by Jesus, After she challenges him, he commends her and grants her prayer request. (Mark 7:24-30); The Fruits of the Spirit (particularly kindness, gentleness, and self-control) Contrast these to the children's approach to Joe (Galatians 5:22-23). More generally, let Jesus and early Christians be examples of empathically & respectfully approaching a person with differences. This happens with the Ethiopian (Acts 8:26-40) and the woman who touched Jesus' clothing (Matthew 9, Mark 5, Luke 8).

PBT Applications: Start a small group of parents with young children who choose to read together Oprah & Bruce D. Perry’s recent book of the same name. 

This book for adults was my favorite non-fiction book of 2021. It reorients readers away from the common question: “What’s wrong with you?” I recommend the audio version because it is, like the subtitle says, conversations between Dr. Perry & Oprah. Also, having the text on hand is helpful because of the visual content. 

My PBT application is to let the reading of this picture book start your group’s time together. The title question will become a point of reference and broaden the focus, not just on trauma, but also on disability and other differences. This picture book beautiful shows, “What happened to you?” can be an insensitive and damaging question coming from the wrong person or the wrong kind of relationship. What I have learned, thanks to this little picture book, is that it is a question best held delicately with caution and empathy and perhaps not asked at all.   

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 324

Picture Book: Feel Confident

Author: Cheri J. Meiners

Illustrator: Elizabeth Allen

Summary: From the point of view of a young girl in preschool or early elementary, this book has her asserting her value, skills, and confidence. She begins by looking at her baby photos and declaring, “I like being me - a very important person.” Then she quickly adds, “At every age, each person is important and has something to say.” Her comments range from embracing her strong body and mind to promising to try many new things. Specific skills are addressed such as looking people in the eye, saying “thank you” when given a compliment, and asking for help when a problem is overwhelming. She ends by explaining that she can feel confident about becoming the person she wants to be because in many ways she is already that person.

Hanna’s Comments: Psychologists are finding overwhelming evidence that building social-emotional skills, such as those addressed in this book, can simultaneously build their academic functioning. Likewise, connecting those skills to spiritual or faith-based values increases a child’s resilience and encourages positive outcomes like high school graduation and successful job entry. My hunch is those faith-based values are reinforced as well. So many concepts and skills are addressed in this book that there are many possibilities for connections to our Holy Scriptures.  In the end papers of this book, you’ll find a section called Ways to Reinforce the Ideas in Feel Confident! The material offered here includes a list of 10 confidence skills, vocabulary, discussion questions, and activities. This book is part of the Being the Best Me series of books. Twelve books are planned. Two of the other titles available now in that series are Bounce Back! A Book about Resilience and Have Courage! A Book about Being Brave. This author and publisher also have a Learning to Get Along series. Two titles in that series are Reach Out and Give and Respect and Take Care of Things.

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Free Spirit Publishing, 2013  

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 4 and up, Pre and up 

# of Pages: 40

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Tablet

PBT Category: Fresh off the Press 

PBT Topics this Book connects with: abilities, acceptance, authenticity, babies/children, body/body of Christ, challenges, choices/decisions, communication, community, confidence, emotions/feelings, family, growing up/growth, identity/names, image of God, individuality/uniqueness, participation, pleasing God/the Shema, self-acceptance/self-image/self-esteem, self-reflection, strength/strength in God

Scripture Connections:  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5 & Mark 12:29-30); be strong and courageous (Joshua 1:9); I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14); your body is a temple (1 Corinthians 6:19)

Idea(s) for Application: Use this book in a program for preschoolers on being a beloved and unique child of God or on the Shema (the Deuteronomy scripture above) aka the Great Commandment.