We Move Together, Written by Kelly Fritsch and Anne McGuire, and Illustrated by Eduardo Trejos

 

Description from the publisher:

"A bold and colorful exploration of all the ways that people navigate through the spaces around them and a celebration of the relationships we build along the way. We Move Together follows a mixed-ability group of kids as they creatively negotiate everyday barriers and find joy and connection in disability culture and community. A perfect tool for families, schools, and libraries to facilitate conversations about disability, accessibility, social justice and community building. Includes a kid-friendly glossary (for ages 3–10). This fully accessible ebook includes alt-text for image descriptions, a read aloud function, and a zoom-in function that allows readers to magnify the illustrations and be able to move around the page in zoom-in mode."

Text Features: 

  • Picture book featuring ways to "move together" through various means of physical inclusion (accessibility, communication)
  • Extensive back matter focusing on the following: How We Move, Ableism, Accessibility, Disability Arts & Culture, How We Communicate, Moving Together Isn't Always Easy..., and Disability Community. 
Critical Literacy Suggestions:

Read & Discuss: 

  • Before reading, explore the cover and discuss what students think the book might be about. Start a list of "Ways people move together."
  • As you read, continue adding to your list of ways people move together. Challenge kids to think beyond the obvious physical modes of moving together to include the ways we communicate.
  • There are many slogans in the book used to advocate for inclusivity (e.g., Nothing About Us Without Us"). After reading the book, go back and explore these. Discuss their meaning. 
Write & Act: 
  • Conduct an "Accessibility Audit" around your school, neighborhood, or wider community. Assess how well people with differing abilities might be able to enter, move around in, and use different spaces? Use what you discover to advocate for greater accessibility. Speak with local government officials, write a letter, connect with disability advocates to share your voice for greater accessibility. Use your voice in whatever way you think would be most effective! (that could include creating a poster, making a video, speaking with others, writing letters/emails, organizing a march, etc.)
  • The back matter mentions four important disability justice activists: Patty Berne, Leroy Moore, Eli Clare, and Mia Mingus. Choose one to learn more about and share your learning. 

Learn More:

  • Read this interview with the book's authors on the DisabilityVisibilityProject website.
  • Read this article about the history of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
  • Watch this short video introducing children to the concept of visible and invisible differences in ability
  • Watch this creative video showing how the world can be made more vibrant through inclusion
  • And this video about empathy and moving beyond first impressions (with a surprising ending! discuss with kids how their feelings toward the boy change across this clip)
  • And this video about encouraging kids to embrace what makes them different

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