One of the things that stands out to me as a mother to a child with a disability is that so many books about differently abled kids is the whole book. I think that's needed and important, but what I'd like to see more of is in "regular" books about whatever random thing there are kids with limb differences, hearing aids, etc. For example, if we're reading a book about school, showing diverse groups of kids, and not having the differences of those children not be the main point of the story. Part of diversifying what we read and are exposed to is seeing that in every day life and occurrences because that's how kids see them too. My son ALWAYS notices when there is someone who has the same differences as he has because he's constantly on the lookout for it, but if the only place he sees people with that difference are in books about disabilities, it stands out in a different, still separate sort of way because its being called out, as opposed to just being part of it normally like everything else.
I just want to flag that the Dragon Masters series (which is otherwise kind of meh for me) really did a great job of adding in characters with all kinds of diversity -- differently abled, different pronouns, in addition to ethncities/races/etc. I was sort of stunned when I realized there was a character with they/them pronouns and when they introduced the character who was visually impaired. Deftly woven in, I felt like. I'd also love suggestions of books that feature differently abled kids that are not necessarily ABOUT that.
🙏 Thank you for this. We 💯 do need more diverse books. Like you, I recognize that we've come a long way since I was a child, but there is much work still left to be done. Frankly, I think indie authors are helping to fill that gap in very significant ways. It makes me proud to be one of those indie authors advancing the inclusion of diverse families. More on my work at https://www.tomtracybooks.com
I would also offer that Mirror books for one group are also Window books for another. 😊 Beyond just exploring diverse topic areas, I would recommend that parents/readers look for books written in "our own voice." These are books that are authored by someone with the lived experience of the book's topic area. These authors bring a level of authenticity to their writing that others cannot.
Highly recommend visiting our website. One of the cornerstones of our program is shining a spotlight on books that combine the best of positive representation, inclusion, literary merit, and kid appeal. We've been doing it for 19 years now. www.cybils.com
One of the things that stands out to me as a mother to a child with a disability is that so many books about differently abled kids is the whole book. I think that's needed and important, but what I'd like to see more of is in "regular" books about whatever random thing there are kids with limb differences, hearing aids, etc. For example, if we're reading a book about school, showing diverse groups of kids, and not having the differences of those children not be the main point of the story. Part of diversifying what we read and are exposed to is seeing that in every day life and occurrences because that's how kids see them too. My son ALWAYS notices when there is someone who has the same differences as he has because he's constantly on the lookout for it, but if the only place he sees people with that difference are in books about disabilities, it stands out in a different, still separate sort of way because its being called out, as opposed to just being part of it normally like everything else.
I just want to flag that the Dragon Masters series (which is otherwise kind of meh for me) really did a great job of adding in characters with all kinds of diversity -- differently abled, different pronouns, in addition to ethncities/races/etc. I was sort of stunned when I realized there was a character with they/them pronouns and when they introduced the character who was visually impaired. Deftly woven in, I felt like. I'd also love suggestions of books that feature differently abled kids that are not necessarily ABOUT that.
🙏 Thank you for this. We 💯 do need more diverse books. Like you, I recognize that we've come a long way since I was a child, but there is much work still left to be done. Frankly, I think indie authors are helping to fill that gap in very significant ways. It makes me proud to be one of those indie authors advancing the inclusion of diverse families. More on my work at https://www.tomtracybooks.com
I would also offer that Mirror books for one group are also Window books for another. 😊 Beyond just exploring diverse topic areas, I would recommend that parents/readers look for books written in "our own voice." These are books that are authored by someone with the lived experience of the book's topic area. These authors bring a level of authenticity to their writing that others cannot.
Still as great as the first time I read this 👏
Interesting to diversify your books and now I’ll be thinking about mirror books or window books.
Do you have a children’s or adult book recommendation?
Highly recommend visiting our website. One of the cornerstones of our program is shining a spotlight on books that combine the best of positive representation, inclusion, literary merit, and kid appeal. We've been doing it for 19 years now. www.cybils.com
Agree. What you all do is amazing. Hoping one day, one of my books can carry a CYBIL award honor. :)