We'll Paint the Octopus Red (1998)

We'll Paint the Octopus Red
Written by Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen
Illustrated by Pam DeVito

Many disability-related children's books describe what it may be like to grow up with a disability or what it may be like to have a parent with a disability, but not many books are told from the perspective of an able-bodied sibling.  Being a young boy or girl and having a new sibling with a severe disability will take time getting used to.  It will take time learning that your new brother or sister may need more help, it will take time learning that he or she may need more of Mommy and Daddy's attention, and it will take time learning that he or she may not always be able to do the same things as other people.  When I came across Stuve-Bodeen (1998) book, We'll Paint the Octopus Red, I was so happy to read an inclusive disability-related story told from the perspective of a young sibling.  The book is about a six-year-old girl named Emma who learns that her new baby brother has Down syndrome.  Using the criteria put forth by the Ontario Coalition for Inclusive Education, I quickly learned that this book definitely represents disability in a positive light.

1. What is the focus of the book? 

The focus of the book is on little Emma's anticipation for her new baby brother or sister.    When Emma finds out that she will have a new sibling, she imagines all the things that they will do together: go to Grandpa's farm to feed the calves, ride in the back of the mini-van making faces at the cars that go by, fly on airplanes, and even go to Africa on a safari to see elephants and rhinos.  When Emma's father informs her that her new baby brother, Isaac, will have something called Down syndrome, Emma begins to worry that she will not be able to do all of the fun activities that she anxiously awaits.  Her father, however, quickly assures her that Isaac will be able to do everything she can, but at a slower pace and with some assistance.  Thus, the focus of the book is not on Isaac's disability, but rather Emma's anticipation to engage in a variety of activities with her new sibling.    

2. Are all of the settings in the book inclusive? 

Yes, all of the settings appear to be inclusive because none of the characters are physically disabled.  

3. Are characters portrayed in valued roles - as active and contributing individuals?  

Yes, all characters are portrayed in valued roles.  Despite baby Isaac's disability, he is described as someone who can do anything any other child can do (e.g. go to Grandpa's farm to feed the calves, ride in the back of the mini-van and make faces).  The only difference, as described by Emma and Isaac's father, is that baby Isaac may need more help and that he may do things at a slower pace.  He is still perceived as an active and contributing individual that can participate in all activities that other able-bodied children can.    

4. If labels and terminology are used, are they contemporary and empowering? 

Yes, Emma and Isaac's father describe baby Isaac's condition as "Down syndrome," which is not considered to be offensive since it is a medical term.  Six-year-old Emma refers to baby Isaac's condition as the "Down thing," but it is evident that this was intentional to show little Emma's confusion as to what Down syndrome is.  

Using the criteria above, one can see how We'll Paint the Octopus Red is indeed an inclusive children's book.  It shows how a parent can describe a disability to a child in a positive way.  It is crucial to provide children with a positive image of disability at a young age in order to allow them to grow perceiving all individuals as special and equal to one another.  What I particularly like about this book is the questions and answers section at the end of the story.  Stuve-Bodeen offers a variety of questions about Down syndrome that children may ask their parents, and she provides answers to these questions in child-friendly language.  I would definitely recommend this book for individuals wanting an inclusive story told from the perspective of an able-bodied sibling, and those wanting a story specifically about Down syndrome.  

Useful Question and Answer Section 

in We'll Paint the Octopus Red

"I Have Autism" A Child's First Look at Autism (2005)

"I Have Autism" A Child's First Look at Autism

Written by Pat Crissey

Illustrated by Noah Crissey

Ever since I started teaching 3 years ago, I have been on a search for an inclusive children's book related to autism.  As the presence of autistic students in the classroom is becoming more and more common, I want to make sure that these students feel represented in the literature that they hear and read.  I recently stumbled across a book called, "I Have Autism" A Child's First Look at Autism, written by Pat Crissey.  Judging by the title of this book, I was not sure just how inclusive this book would be as it clearly focuses on autism.  Nonetheless, I decided to use the criteria put forth by the Ontario Coalition for Inclusive Education to see how disability is portrayed and to determine whether or not this is a book that I want to introduce to my students.  

1. What is the focus of the book? 

As expected, the entire book is all about how autism affects the life of the main character, Alex.  More specifically, Alex speaks about the way in which autism controls every aspect of his life, including his behaviour.  

2. Are all of the settings in the book inclusive? 

All of the settings in the book are inclusive because Alex is not physically disabled.  

3. Are characters portrayed in valued roles - as active and contributing individuals?  

I would not consider Alex to be portrayed as an active and contributing member because the entire book describes the way in which autism affects everything he does.  Thus, he is not seen as someone with agency.

4. If labels and terminology are used, are they contemporary and empowering? 

The only disability-related term used in the book is "autistic," which is not considered to be offensive. 

After reading through this book and analyzing the text and pictures, I have come to the conclusion that "I Have Autism" A Child's First Look at Autism does not represent disability in a positive light and is thus not a very inclusive book.  Although this book was meant to help parents and teachers explain autism to young children, children may begin to have a negative perception of autism because the text gives the impression that autism takes over various aspects of one's life.  An inclusive book on autism would be one in which autism is not the focus of the book, and one in which autism is not portrayed as affecting every little bit of one's life.  I'm still searching for such a book, so if you know of one, please let me know! :) 

I also wanted to share with you all a YouTube clip that I came across that didn't really sit well with me.  It's a short clip showing a young girl with autism who talks about how a nice lady gave her the book, "I Have Autism" A Child's First Look at Autism, and it's her favourite because she is autistic.  This little girl clearly loves the book not because of it's message, but because she sees herself, or at least parts of herself, reflected in the text.  What makes this YouTube clip even more disturbing is that www.ASDlife.ca has used this little girl to help promote not only the book, but their company as well.  It may seem like I am overreacting, but if you watch the clip below, you'll know exactly what I mean!  Let me know your thoughts...

Young Girl with Autism Promoting 
"I Have Autism" A Child's First Look at Autism

    

Emily Included (2011)

Emily Included
Written by Kathleen McDonnell

A friend of mine, Kaidi, recently told me about a new disability-related children's book that is being published in October of this year.  It is called Emily Included, written by Kathleen McDonnell, and it is about a young girl with severe cerebral palsy who fights to be educated in a "regular" classroom.  Although I have not been able to get my hands on this book just yet, I am really excited to read it as the story is based on the real life of a girl named Emily Eaton.  Emily seems like quite the role model for children with (and without) disabilities!  Look out for upcoming posts on Emily Included if you are interested in learning whether this book can be classified as inclusive!  In the meantime, you can check back regularly on Kathleen McDonnell's website to read about the progress of her book.  Happy Reading! :) 

Keywords

As this blog spot was created for a current graduate course that I am taking, Issues in Digital Technology in Education, you will find that I will be experimenting with various online tools that I have never tried using before.  In my previous post, I used Popplet to display photos and ideas, and in this post, I would like to share my creation I put together using Wordle.  I have taken many of the key words that I have used in my blogs so far, and I have created a "word cloud."  I thought this word cloud would be a great way to show new readers some of the key ideas I have been talking about in my blogs thus far.  It's a really neat tool, and I think students would have fun creating word clouds either about themselves or other topics.  You should try it out!  

Using Wordle to create a word cloud depicting keywords 

that I have discussed in my blogs thus far:    

Zoom (2003)

Zoom
Written by Robert Munsch
Illustrated by Michael Martchenko

Robert Munsch's (2003) well-known book entitled Zoom comes highly recommended from Charlotte Evans, a teacher of inclusive special education at the Faculty of Education, University of Manitoba, and a researcher who studies the literacy development of Deaf children.  The book is about a young girl named Lauretta who runs into problems after replacing her old wheelchair with a "92-speed, black, silver, and red, dirt-bike wheelchair."  Using the criteria put forth by the Ontario Coalition for Inclusive Education, I have evaluated this book below.  

1. What is the focus of the book? 

While crutches, leg braces, and a wheelchair are part of Lauretta's character (see picture to the right), her disability is not the focus of the book.  The focus is on the speeding ticket she receives after obtaining a super fast wheelchair.  

2. Are all of the settings in the book inclusive? 

Yes.  All of the settings are inclusive as Lauretta is successfully able to make her way around either with her leg brace on, using crutches, or using her wheelchair.  

3. Are characters portrayed in valued roles - as active and contributing individuals?  

Yes, Lauretta is portrayed as a valued character.  She is seen as a spunky, active individual who enjoys to race in her wheelchair.  When her brother gets into an accident, Lauretta is the only one who is able to save him and rush him to the hospital with her speedy new wheelchair.    

4. If labels and terminology are used, are they contemporary and empowering? 

There are no labels or disability-related terminology used in the text.  The reader only knows that Lauretta is disabled because she needs the assistance of either a leg brace, crutches, or a wheelchair in order to walk.  

After analyzing Zoom, it is obvious that this is a humorous children's book that depicts disability in a positive light.  I have always loved Robert Munsch's books growing up, and I am so happy that he is starting to publish more books that include characters with a disability.  For those interested, you can visit Robert Munsch's website to hear Zoom read out loud by Robert Munsch himself!  Just click here!  :)

Inclusive Classroom Exhibit

As I was browsing the Internet this morning, I came across a photo album which contained pictures of an inclusive classroom exhibit.  Boise State's Department of Early Childhood Education and the Albertsons Library worked together to create an inclusive classroom exhibit that showcased inclusive children's literature in order to celebrate the National Association for the Education of Young Children's Week of the Young Child.  This event happens every year in April.  I thought this was such a great idea in order to promote inclusive literature.  The photos really inspired me to want to hold my own inclusive literature exhibit!  I have displayed some of the photos using the online tool called Popplet.  Check it out below!

Click the 'play' button on the Popplet below to see photos from Boise State's Department of Early Childhood Education and the Albertsons Library's inclusive classroom exhibit:

Boots for a Bridesmaid (2003)

Boots for a Bridesmaid
Written by Verna Allette Wilkins
Illustrated by Pamela Venus

 I got so excited when I discovered yet another book with a parent who has a disability (rather than a child).  These books are so rare, so when I find them, I will be sure to post my thoughts on them in this blog spot!  Verna Allette Wilkins (1999/2003), the author of Are We There Yet? (see previous post), has also written the children's book entitled Boots for a Bridesmaid.  This book is about a young girl named Nicky who is not happy when she finds out that she needs to wear a frilly dress for her Aunt Flora's wedding.  Using the criteria put forth by Ontario Coalition for Inclusive Education, you can see why I think this book is so inclusive of individuals with a disability.  

1. What is the focus of the book? 

The focus of the book is on Nicky, an able-bodied girl who does not want to wear a bridesmaid dress for her aunt's upcoming wedding.  The book does not focus on Nicky's disabled mother.  

2. Are all of the settings in the book inclusive? 

Yes, all of the settings in the book appear to be inclusive as Nicky's mother is never excluded.  

3. Are characters portrayed in valued roles - as active and contributing individuals?  

Yes.  Although Nicky's mother is clearly shown in a wheelchair, this does not stop her from being a caring mother.  In fact, she is seen as very supportive as she actively helps fix Nicky's bridesmaid dress, for example (see picture to the right).  

4. If labels and terminology are used, are they contemporary and empowering? 

There are no labels or disability-related terminology used in the text.  The only way the reader knows that Nicky's mother is disabled is by looking at the illustrations. 

Using the criteria above, it is evident that Boots for a Bridesmaid is an inclusive book that depicts disability in a positive light.  The disabled character is seen as a loving mother who is involved in her mother's life despite her inability to walk.  She has special talents, such as her ability to sew, and she actively makes use of these talents.  Although I obtained this book from my local library, I am going to order it on Amazon as this is one book that needs to be on my inclusive literature shelf!