Review by Booklist Review
This straightforward picture book is designed for very young readers and is meant to provide prompts for starting discussions about individuals with disabilities. The illustrations do a good job of representing a range of physical abilities and conditions and feature a cast of characters with a multitude of skin tones. The text concentrates on how "there is no such thing as normal," but rather common and uncommon, and that there are multiple ways of looking, acting, getting around, solving problems, and just being. The book is helpful for introducing basic social parameters, such as empathy and inclusivity of disabled people, as well as more abstract concepts, such as ableism and equity. There is a particularly effective spread that models how to be a disability rights upstander, stating, "STOP, that is NOT OKAY!" when others say cruel, ableist things. Adults will appreciate the back matter summaries of the book's main points: definitions, appropriate terms and language, equity, interdependence, access, ableism, disability justice, and tips for handling questions. With questions throughout, this work will help guide meaningful conversations.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2--Bold and empowering, this entry in the "First Conversations" series frames disability not as a deficit but as part of the natural spectrum of human experience. With affirming language and inclusive illustrations, it encourages young children and caregivers to think critically about fairness, access, and interdependence. While the content may exceed the expected scope for board books, its message is timely and clear. VERDICT A powerful, conversation-starting tool for building empathy and equity from the earliest years.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
"There's no such thing as a better or worse way to be a person." In simple, age-appropriate language, this primer about disability teaches children about physical and mental differences among people. Terminology related to disability is explained, and misconceptions about what it means to be Disabled are dispelled. The illustrations, whose cartoonlike style detracts a bit from the overall presentation, feature casual diversity in ability, skin color. (c) Copyright 2025. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
"Being Disabled means different things to different people." The characters in this work use various terms to describe themselves; one character holds a sign reading "Proud To Be Crazy," while another declares, "I'm autistic!" "We can use the words that people want us to use to describe them," notes an unseen narrator. In straightforward, declarative sentences, Madison and Ralli emphasize that "THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS NORMAL." Unfortunately, there is a "big problem called ableism," which is "the untrue story that there is a normal or better way for bodies to be." Examples include making fun of disabled people or underestimating their capabilities, as well as grown-ups voting for "leaders who build parks and schools where Disabled kids can't play and learn with everyone else." Fortunately, kids can advocate for disability justice by standing up to bullies, listening to disabled people, and coming together to "change unfair rules." Eden's cartoon illustrations clearly depict racially diverse people with myriad physical, sensory, and cognitive disabilities. Interspersed questions such as "What kind of help do you need?" encourage thoughtful discussion. Backmatter addressed to caregivers offers tips on addressing disability and explores such topics as the medical and social models of disability and identity versus person-first language. An accessible introduction to disability and allyship.(Picture book. 3-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
