Picture Books and Characters with Disabilities: Picture Books for All: September 2012

Author Interview: Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen

Stephanie is the award-winning author of many picture books, including Elizabeti’s Doll and We’ll Paint the Octopus Red, as well as the young adult novels The Compound, The Gardener and The Raft. She has an MFA in creative writing and currently lives in Oregon with her family.

Stephanie, I am thrilled to have you as a visitor on my blog today. Congratulations on your new novel, The Raft! Can you tell us how you came to write We’ll Paint the Octopus Red and The Best Worst Brother?
Thank you—I’m very glad to be here. I was at the point where I had just begun writing picture books with the intent of getting published, and I was looking everywhere for inspiration. I worked at the local YMCA in the day care where we had two families with kids with Down syndrome. I got to know them and came up with the story.

How was the first book received? Did you get feedback from parents?
It was received really well. Several state Down Syndrome associations adopted it as their book to hand out to new parents in the hospital. Although it has been out for over a decade, it still keeps getting read, and we are always running into people who have it. Recently my husband was out body surfing in Hawaii and got talking to the man next to him. The man has a son with DS and said they are on their third copy of the book because the others had worn out from so much reading.

What about the second book—the sequel? Was it harder to write? How was it received?
I tried for several years to come up with a sequel and finally hit on one that the editor liked. It was not as well received as the first, as typically happens with some sequels.

Have you visited classrooms to read these books? Do the teachers do a lot of preparation before you arrive?
I do a lot of school visits and often share the book. I find that teachers only prepare the kids about the DS books when they have kids in their school with Down syndrome or other special needs. When they don’t, then it’s up to me to explain it to them.
That’s an interesting point. Teachers could do more to prepare all of their students for books with sensitive content before an author visit so that the students could “be on the same page” as the author from the outset. Preparation would also allow for discussion prior to the visit and could result in more thoughtful or sensitive questions on the part of the students.

Can you tell us what your biggest challenge was in writing these two picture books?
For the first, I was really trying to get across the simple message that young children, like Emma, have no preconceived notions. They see a kid and want to play. The second was harder, because I knew it had to be a little more realistic and problematic, which was hard after the first book.

The question and answer sections in the backs of the books are very helpful, “kid-friendly,” and respectful toward people with disabilities. How did these sections come to be?
The publisher came up with the questions and had me take a crack at answering them. I did, knowing that the publisher would change any that weren’t quite right, but I ended up doing pretty well on them.

I know you wrote another picture book with a character who has a disability (Babu’s Song). What inspired you to write that one? And are you still writing picture books?
Babu’s Song was inspired by my Peace Corps experience in Tanzania. The grandfather in the story is mute, which gives more power to the music of a handmade music box that he has made for his grandson. I still am writing picture books, yes, although I have been focusing on young adult novels and a new middle grade series that’ll keep me very busy for the next two years.

Do you have any words of wisdom for authors who are thinking of writing picture books that portray characters with disabilities?
Like any story, I think you just have to tell the story you feel the need to tell, and to tell it to the best of your ability.

Stephanie, I’d like to thank you for taking the time to be here today. Clearly, We’ll Paint the Octopus Red and The Best Worst Brother have comforted and inspired many young readers and their parents. Best of luck on your middle grade series.

Check out Stephanie's website: http://www.rockforadoll.com/

Book #s 5 and 6 We'll Paint the Octopus Red and The Best Worst Brother (sequel to the first book), by Stephanie Stuve Bodeen. These books are written from an older sister's perspective and portray her feelings, wishes, and hopes for her younger brother who has Down Syndrome. The first book takes place when Isaac is a baby and the second book when he is almost three years old.

Watch for an interview with the author in the next few days!

	Related Information		Comments
Name of Book:	*We’ll Paint the Octopus Red*		This book is written from an older sibling’s perspective. In the back of the book there is a section called “Questions & Answers about Down Syndrome.” It is well-written, child-oriented, and respectful of people with disabilities.
Author	Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen Other picture books by Stephanie: Elizabeti’s Doll, Babu’s Song, and The Best Worst Brother (featured below).		Stephanie is an award-winning author of picture books and young adult novels. She has recently published YA novels The Compound, The Gardener, and The Raft. Here is the link to Stephanie’s website: http://www.rockforadoll.com/awards.htm
Illustrator	Pam DeVito
Publisher	Woodbine House		This publisher specializes in books about children with special needs. http://www.woodbinehouse.com/
Year of Pub:	1998		Although this book was published before 2000, its sequel, The Best Worst Brother, was published in 2005. I decided to feature the two books together.
ISBN:	1-890627-06-2		Hardcover; 1^st edition
Age range	3-7
Type of Disability	Down Syndrome
Fiction or Nonfiction	Fiction
Category: B, and the sibling is more integral to the plot than the character with the disability. A) books that provide factual information about a disability B) books that provide information about a disability in a story format in which the character with a disability is integral to the plot C) books that provide stories that have a character with a disability who may or may not be integral to the storyline and who has been added to the story to achieve diversity and reflect reality
Annotation: Emma is not sure she wants a new brother or sister. Then she and her father talk about all the things Emma will be able to do with her new sibling. When baby Isaac is born with Down Syndrome, Emma fears that he might not be able to do the things she has planned for him. She and her father come to the conclusion that Isaac may need a little extra help and encouragement, but that there is probably nothing he won’t be able to do. As Emma meets her new baby brother, she is already planning what color they will paint the Octopus together . . . .
Link to publisher:		http://www.woodbinehouse.com/ Here is a blurb from the publisher’s “About Us” section: We are nine colleagues who have worked together for years to publish books. Most of us have some personal experience with special needs. As such, our lives are touched every day by many of the issues and topics we cover in our books, and we experience the emotions that go along with loving someone with a difference--it's what we think enables us to communicate through our books in ways that connect to parents and professionals.
Links to professional reviews:		http://www.amazon.com/Well-Paint-Octopus-Stephanie-Stuve-Bodeen/dp/product-description/1890627062/ref=dp_proddesc_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books Click link and scroll down for reviews from *School Library Journal* and *Booklist*.

Standards for Quality Portrayal of Characters with a disability		Comments
1. Promotes empathy not pity	Yes	Yes. This book tugs at our emotions in a positive way. It is hard to read it without shedding tears of empathy, relief, and optimism.
2. Promotes acceptance, not ridicule	Yes
3. Emphasizes success rather than, or in addition to failure	Yes
4. Promotes positive images of persons with disabilities or illness	Yes	Emphasizes what Isaac will do and be able to accomplish.
5. Assists children in gaining accurate understanding of the disability or illness	Yes	Excellent Q & A section in the back about Down Syndrome
6. Demonstrates respect for persons with disabilities or illness	Yes
7. Promotes attitude of “one of us” not “one of them.”	Yes
8. Uses people-first language	Yes
9. Describes the disability or person with disabilities or illness as realistic (not subhuman or superhuman)	Yes
10. Depicts people with disabilities as more similar to than different from other people	Yes	Emphasizes that with patience, encouragement, and a little help, Isaac, the character with Down Syndrome, will be able to do everything that Emma has hoped and planned for him.
11. Shows peoples’ strengths and abilities along with their disabilities	Yes
12. Represents characters as strong, independent people who others can admire or learn from	N.A.
13. Represents people with disabilities from different racial and cultural backgrounds, religions, age groups, and sexual orientations	No	Characters are white. Isaac is a baby, so Emma, the older sister, is imagining what he will do with her when he grows up.
14. Shows people with disabilities in integrated settings and activities	N.A.
15. Shows people with disabilities in valued occupations and diverse roles.	N.A.
16. Shows people with disabilities in reciprocal relationships	Not yet	Isaac is a baby throughout this story.
17. Character with the disability develops and grows emotionally as a result of what happens in the story	No

	Related Information		Comments
Name of Book:	*The Best Worst Brother*		This book is the sequel to We’ll Paint the Octopus Red. It is written from an older sister’s perspective, as is the first book. In the back of the book there is a section called “Questions & Answers about Sign Language,” which is somewhat specific toward children with Down Syndrome who use sign language. This section is well-written, child-oriented, and respectful of people with disabilities.
Author	Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen Other picture books by Stephanie: Elizabeti’s Doll, Babu’s Song, and We'll Paint the Octopus Red (featured above).		Stephanie is an award-winning author of picture books and young adult novels. She has recently published YA novels The Compound, The Gardener, and The Raft. Here is the link to Stephanie’s website: http://www.rockforadoll.com/awards.htm
Illustrator	Charlotte Fremaux
Publisher	Woodbine House		This publisher specializes in books about children with special needs. http://www.woodbinehouse.com/
Year of Pub:	2005
ISBN:	1-890627-68-2
Age range	4-8
Type of Disability	Down Syndrome
Fiction or Nonfiction	Fiction
Category: B, and the sibling is more integral to the plot than the character with the disability. A) books that provide factual information about a disability B) books that provide information about a disability in a story format in which the character with a disability is integral to the plot C) books that provide stories that have a character with a disability who may or may not be integral to the storyline and who has been added to the story to achieve diversity and reflect reality
Annotation: Emma, Isaac’s older sister, expresses her true emotions about what it is like to have a little brother with Down Syndrome. She compares the good times she remembers when Isaac was a baby to the difficult interactions with him now that he is almost three. Emma tries to teach Isaac some sign language, and though he does not respond right away, he eventually learns and uses the signs. When Isaac accompanies the family to an open house at Emma’s school, she wonders how he will behave and how others will react to him. She discovers that although Isaac isn’t perfect, he is her best little brother.
Link to publisher:		http://www.woodbinehouse.com/ Here is a quote about the book from the publisher: “The Best Worst Brother is an endearing and realistic look at how a relationship evolves between a typically developing older sister and her younger brother with a developmental disability. It also shows how sign language can help a child that acquires speech more slowly. As Emma is pleased to discover, Isaac can learn to sign, he just learns when he's ready.”
Links to professional reviews:		http://www.amazon.com/Best-Worst-Brother-Stephanie-Stuve-Bodeen/dp/1890627682 Click link and scroll down for reviews from *School Library Journal* and *Midwest Book Review.*

Standards for Quality Portrayal of Characters with a disability		Comments
1. Promotes empathy not pity	Yes
2. Promotes acceptance, not ridicule	Yes	Emma learns to overcome her anger and frustration toward her brother and discovers his positive qualities.
3. Emphasizes success rather than, or in addition to failure	Yes	Isaac learns to sign and show appreciation. But sometimes, he still engages in aggressive behavior.
4. Promotes positive images of persons with disabilities or illness	Yes	Yes, toward the end of the book.
5. Assists children in gaining accurate understanding of the disability or illness	Yes	Yes. Both the story and the Q & A section in the back of the book help readers gain an accurate understanding of Isaac’s disability.
6. Demonstrates respect for persons with disabilities or illness	Yes
7. Promotes attitude of “one of us” not “one of them.”	Yes
8. Uses people-first language	Yes
9. Describes the disability or person with disabilities or illness as realistic (not subhuman or superhuman)	Yes
10. Depicts people with disabilities as more similar to than different from other people	Difficult to answer	Emma asks herself whether Isaac is like other people’s little brothers and wonders whether he is “worse” or “better” than other brothers. She comes to the conclusion that he is “better,” though the reader may not be sure why she has reached this conclusion.
11. Shows peoples’ strengths and abilities along with their disabilities	Yes	Learns to sign and show love and also exhibits aggressive behavior.
12. Represents characters as strong, independent people who others can admire or learn from	N.A.
13. Represents people with disabilities from different racial and cultural backgrounds, religions, age groups, and sexual orientations	No	Characters are white.
14. Shows people with disabilities in integrated settings and activities	Yes
15. Shows people with disabilities in valued occupations and diverse roles.	N.A.
16. Shows people with disabilities in reciprocal relationships	Yes	Isaac responds to Emma and learns the signs she has been trying to teach him (“please” and “thank you”).
17. Character with the disability develops and grows emotionally as a result of what happens in the story	Hard to say, as Isaac is only three.

Picture Books and Characters with Disabilities: Picture Books for All

Welcome to Picture Books for All

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Articles Worth Reading

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Author Interview: Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen

Wednesday, September 5, 2012