Final Project -Texts as a Set

As I was reading the article Contrived or Inspired: Ability/Disability in the Children’s Picture Book, I was shocked to find that out of 100 books chosen, not a single one addressed issues or experiences with a disability. I found that this was actually not that uncommon as I tried to search books for my original topic. Out of the thousands of children’s books carried at public libraries in East Lansing and Farmington Hills, only a handful (less than 10) addressed specifically situations of autism or Down syndrome.

Overall, I felt that these books could all be used in classrooms, depending upon the age of the students and level of the book. For My Friend Isabelle, it would be important to emphasize that the differences and similarities are what make us special. I feel like a teacher would also need to have a discussion about what reasons might be behind some of Isabelle’s behaviors. Give some general information about Down syndrome. We’ll Paint the Octopus Red would be great for teaching about disability and ability in general. Emma learned that with a little extra help, a disability doesn’t stop you from doing things. Thumbs up, Rico! gave a refreshing perspective being written from the point of view of a young boy with Down syndrome.

These 3 books as a set give three different points of view on experiencing Down syndrome. Told from the eyes of a friend, a sister, and an individual with Down’s, a student can get multiple perspectives regarding learning about and living with this particular disability. All three books also stress the importance of ability over disability. They put the child before the diagnosis stressing a message of inclusion and acceptance. As a set, they start with a smaller picture in My Friend Isabelle with little differences and similarities, and end in Thumbs up, Rico! with the larger picture of “this is my life.” A teacher could definitely formulate meaningful activities focused around events from any of these books.