Disability in Picture Books; World Snake Day; Cicada Party
Hi there! I hope you’re having a lovely summer. Today’s newsletter is very July-themed. What does that mean exactly? Read on to find out!
My Favorite Picture Books with Disability Representation
July is Disability Pride Month. As many of you know, I’m disabled and use a power wheelchair. The main character of my upcoming picture book—A LITTLE LIKE MAGIC (available for preorder)—also uses a power wheelchair. I can’t wait for you to meet her this Fall! But more on that in the months to come.
Today, I’d like to celebrate a few of my personal favorite picture books that feature disabled people. Some are about disability, while others offer incidental representation of disability. Both kinds of books are important and needed.
[Image description: A kid bundled up in winter clothes sitting in a power wheelchair, looking upward. A snippet from the book jacket of the picture book A LITTLE LIKE MAGIC.]
Without further ado, here are my 5 favorite picture books with disability representation (in no particular order):
What Happened To You? / words by James Catchpole, pictures by Karen George (Faber & Faber, 2021; Little, Brown, 2023)
About the book: Joe is trying to play pirates at the playground. But the other kids keep asking him what happened to his leg. All Joe wants to do is play. Will the others ever realize that they don't need to know what happened?
Why I love it: This book resonates deeply with me. When I first read the UK version in 2021, I found myself thinking about it for weeks afterward. It put into words and pictures something I’ve thought for a long time but couldn’t express very well. I kept thinking, “More people need to read this book!” So, I was delighted when it was published in the US in 2023 and, the following year, named a Schneider Family Book Award Honor book. Not only is this a fun story with charming illustrations (like, really really charming), it says something important that I'd never seen expressed in a picture book before. Plus, it includes straightforward backmatter that advises caregivers on how best to talk to their kids about disability.
Best Day Ever! / words by Marilyn Singer, pictures by Leah Nixon (Clarion Books, 2021)
About the book: A day in the life of a playful puppy and her best friend, told from the pup's perspective. A story about unconditional love.
Why I love it: I have a soft spot for sweet-funny dog books. For me, this one hits all the right notes. The narrative voice is perfectly puppy-like, the art is expressive, and the pup’s best friend uses a wheelchair in a way that feels authentic. Best of all, with its clever repetition, this book is read aloud gold.
A Tulip in Winter: A Story About Folk Artist Maud Lewis / words by Kathy Stinson, pictures by Lauren Soloy (Greystone Kids, 2023)
About the book: When Nova Scotian folk artist Maud Lewis (1903-1970) was a child, her mother handed her a paint brush. From that day forward, she filled the world with color while living in poverty with rheumatoid arthritis at a time when good treatments weren't available.
Why I love it: This picture book biography moves me every time I read it. The illustrations are bright, bold, and charming, just like Maud’s art. The text is lyrical and, at times, beautiful (and somehow manages to capture a whole life in 40 pages!). There's a lot going on here. There is sadness and struggle. There is unfairness and frustration. There is love and art and joy. Notably, Maud doesn't "overcome" her disability; she lives and works and makes art while disabled. It’s part of who she is. The book celebrates her as a unique individual: "A woman as one-of-a-kind as her house."
Hello Goodbye Dog / words by Maria Gianferrari, pictures by Patrice Barton (Roaring Brook Press, 2017)
About the book: Moose the dog loves spending time with his best pal, Zara. So, when Zara heads off to school, Moose escapes and rushes to her side. Again. And again. And again! But dogs aren't allowed in school. Will it be “goodbye” for Moose every day? Or could there be another way?
Why I love it: Did I mention I have a soft spot for sweet-funny dog books? Moose and Zara are utterly endearing. The pictures are soft and expressive. Like the text, they are full of heart and gentle humor. Moose's loneliness at "goodbye" and joy at "hello" are palpable. Incidental to the story, Zara uses a manual wheelchair. Her inclusion in every setting feels effortless, and I love that.
Aaron Slater, Illustrator / words by Andrea Beaty, pictures by David Roberts (Abrams, 2021)
About the book: A creative kid with dyslexia worries that his dream of being a storyteller is out of reach...until he discovers that there's more than one way to tell a story.
Why I love it: I'm a longtime fan of The Questioneers series with its clever rhymes, inclusive illustrations, and touching stories that celebrate each character's uniqueness. Aaron’s story is no exception. Cool sidenote: The book is printed with a dyslexia-friendly font.
If you’ve gotten this far, thanks for reading!
My favorites change from time to time. Sometimes, I learn something new that changes how I view a book. And, of course, new books with disability representation are always rolling out. I try to read as many as I can, but I’m sure I’ve missed some good ones!
What are your favorite picture books with disabled representation? Let me know in the comments.
A LITTLE LIKE MAGIC comes out Oct 15, 2024
Available for preorder
Mark it “To Read” on Goodreads
World Snake Day
Today, July 16, is World Snake Day!
Fun fact: Did you know snakes like argyle sweaters? Well, at least one does. You can read all about him in my picture book SNAKE’S BIG MISTAKE (Greenwillow Books / HarperCollins).
If you read only one book about a sweater-sporting snake this summer, I hope you choose this one.
[Image description: Book SNAKE’S BIG MISTAKE next to a snake figurine on a yellow background.]
Random Doodle: Cicada Party
In May and June, Illinois was the site of a rare occurence: two broods of cicadas—a 17-year brood and a 13-year brood—emerged at the same time. Where I live, only the 17-year cicadas emerged, but it was more than enough.
At first, it was fun and fascinating. I attended a cicada webinar from a local public library. My county’s forest preserve created a series of wonderfully silly educational videos. The state held a cicada art contest. The list goes on and on. Cicadas were the talk of the town. Literally.
But by mid-June, I was more than ready for the cicada party to end. And by now, it has. The next party is scheduled for 2041. Mark your calendars.
[Image description: A drawing of four dancing cicadas. One cicada is singing. One cicada is wearing sunglasses. A sign above them reads “Happy 17th Birthday!”]
One final recommendation as I wrap up this month’s newsletter: If you’d like to see some awesome animals live cams, check out Explore.org Live Cams. You won’t regret it. (Tip: July is the best month to watch the brown bears of Katmai National Park in Alaska.)
Thanks for reading!
—Sarah