I Am, You Are: Let's Talk About Disability, Individuality and Empowerment
Celebrating Our Diverse World Series
What’s inside...
I Am, You Are is a powerful, practical book aimed at supporting children and adults in having meaningful discussions about disability and ableism. Written by disability activist Ashley Harris Whaley and illustrated by advocacy campaigner Ananya Rao-Middleton, this fully-illustrated book is designed for children aged four and above. It explains key words and concepts related to disability in child-friendly language, using relatable examples to support children in building an anti-ableist stance from an early age. The book encourages children to embrace individuality, be respectful, and celebrate disability as diversity. It is ideal for reading both at home and in classrooms to support a child's life-long learning journey.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think makes each person special in their own way?
How did the characters in the book show kindness and understanding towards each other's differences?
Can you think of a time when you felt different from others? How did it make you feel?
Why is it important to talk about and understand disabilities?
How can we help everyone feel included and empowered?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use examples from the book to highlight the importance of empathy and respect for everyone's unique abilities and challenges.
Encourage your child to express how they feel about the characters and situations in the book, fostering a deeper connection to the themes discussed.
Relate the book’s messages to real-life scenarios that your child may encounter, helping them apply the lessons learned.
Highlight the concept of empowerment by discussing how understanding and supporting each other’s individuality can make everyone stronger.
Ask your child to think of ways they can be inclusive and supportive of others in their own life, turning the book's message into actionable ideas.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: The book uses diverse characters with various disabilities to teach children about empathy by showing how each character experiences the world differently.
Real-World Application: Children learn to recognize and respect the feelings and perspectives of others, fostering a more inclusive environment at school and in play areas.
Example Lesson: Celebrating Individuality
Explanation: This story highlights that every person is unique, including those with disabilities, encouraging children to celebrate their own and others' individual traits.
Real-World Application: Helps children embrace their uniqueness and confidently express themselves, encouraging diverse friendships.
Example Lesson: Importance of Inclusion
Explanation: Through its narrative, the book teaches the value of including everyone, regardless of their abilities, in all activities.
Real-World Application: Promotes proactive involvement in making activities accessible to everyone, enhancing cooperative play and teamwork.
Example Lesson: Empowerment and Self-confidence
Explanation: Characters in the book overcome obstacles and challenges related to their disabilities, illustrating the power of self-belief and resilience.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to face their own challenges with confidence and determination, understanding that they are capable of achieving great things.