Children's Book Reviews

Sunday, July 06, 2014

Diversity Rocks!!


I love the synchronicity that just when I am beginning to write and research more diverse books, I begin receiving such books to review! I'm trusting that the howl out in the public for more diverse books isn't just a flash in the pan, but the beginnings of a true revolution! Hopefully soon all children in our culture will see their faces when they open a book!!! My Holly is such a book for a child with disabilities, and its siblings, to show that this is their new lifestyle and face of love to the world. I hope you find it in your heart to add it to your home or school library as part of your summer reading.
Review:


My Holly is such a welcome and heart-felt book in a culture woefully lacking in enough diverse books especially about and for children with special needs. It is tough for them and their peers, siblings, parents, and caregivers to not have books that reflect them, who they are, and how they live their lives. This sweet book looks at three year old Holly who was disabled with a stroke as an infant. Her older brother Jack learns to adjust his life around Holly’s needs. He finds brotherly love for her in understanding her, and more importantly in being allowed to express his own deep feelings.

The illustrations by author Julie Leavitt Wolfe are charming and they reach into the heart of the story with their spontaneous child-like simplicity. Simplicity in illustrations takes lots of skill and artistic endeavor. It would be marvelous to see this book in the libraries not only of families with special needs children, but also in all schools, particularly inclusion and special education classes, public libraries, pediatric offices, and therapy centers. My Holly is recommended for ages 4 -8, and for read-aloud 2 years and older.

Author and Illustrator: Julie Leavitt Wolfe

Friesen Press, Victoria, BC, 2011

ISBN: 978-1-77067-845-3
 http://www.my-holly.com/


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