November 1, 2023
K-Gr 2-Smoothly illustrated main characters are highlighted with muted backgrounds to personify and explain diagnoses that children live with. A strong focus on positive engagement and empathy exudes from each page through the likable characters presented, who are shown to be well-rounded and more than their medical conditions. Each diagnosis is explained in simple terms with helpful illustrations. More than teaching children about others, it can also teach them about themselves as it covers common conditions like ADHD. There is no stigmatization present; the children featured simply live with their conditions. There is a center on the humanity of each child that is delightfully out of step with a historically condition-first area of children's literature. VERDICT A welcome addition to school classrooms for teachers looking for ways to introduce medical diversity to young readers.
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