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."

Text Features: 

  • Picture book
  • Letter to adults from the author on how to speak to children about disabilities and other differences
Critical Literacy Suggestions:

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
Write & Act: 
  • Role play how you might include someone with a physical difference in different play situations 

Learn More:

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