What Happened To You? By James Catchpole and Karen George
Description from the publisher:
"The first ever picture book addressing how a disabled child might want to be spoken to.
What happened to you? Was it a shark? A burglar? A lion? Did it fall off?
Every time Joe goes out the questions are the same . . . what happened to his leg? But is this even a question Joe has to answer?
A ground-breaking, funny story that helps children understand what it might feel like to be seen as different."
What happened to you? Was it a shark? A burglar? A lion? Did it fall off?
Every time Joe goes out the questions are the same . . . what happened to his leg? But is this even a question Joe has to answer?
A ground-breaking, funny story that helps children understand what it might feel like to be seen as different."
Text Features:
- Picture book
- Letter to adults from the author on how to speak to children about disabilities and other differences
Read & Discuss:
- BEFORE reading: read the title, explore the cover illustration, and discuss predictions for what the book might be about; then read the blurb and expand predictions; maybe ask children if they have seen someone with a visible disability before and if/how they responded
- DURING reading: pay attention to the main character's responses, discuss why he might be reacting that way and what emotions he might be having; ask children what they think about what the main character's reactions/emotions and help them to identify and express their own emotional response to the text
- AFTER reading: discuss lessons that characters in the book seemed to learn and what lessons children are taking away from the book (this is a great 'sliding glass door' book that children can use to change how they respond to difference); consider introducing the term 'micro-aggression' to children: small acts that cause harm, even if not intended
- Role play how you might include someone with a physical difference in different play situations
Learn More:
- Watch this video introducing different kinds of disabilities