Depictions of Disability
Our readings from this week were two incredible texts that show readers just how wonderful our differences truly are. In, "A Boy Called Bat" written by Elana K. Arnold and illustrated by Charles Santoso, there is a young boy diagnosed with autism learning what it really takes to care for a sweet, little animal. In, "Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be you" written by Sonia Sotomayor and amazingly illustrated by Rafael Lopez, readers learn that it is ok to ask your peers about something in order to learn who they, and you, really are. I am thrilled that we were able to dive into these texts and learn from these amazing characters in order to help our future students in the same way.
​
Learning Outcomes:
-
Analyze credible, discerning, and authentic portrayals of characters with diverse abilities in graphic novels and picture books.
-
Evaluate affordances of children’s books written by #ownvoices author/illustrators with diverse abilities.
-
Develop a teaching invitation for a graphic novel or picture book that features a multidimensional character with a diverse ability.
A Boy Called Bat
​
Written by:
Elana K. Arnold
​
Illustrated by:
Charles Santoso
Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You
​
Written by:
Sonia Sotomayor
​
Illustrated By:
Rafael Lopez
What are these texts about?
A Boy Called Bat is a great story about a young boy, in the third grade, who has autism. In the beginning of the book, you can immediately tell that Bat, the main character, likes things to be on a schedule and will get upset if something doesn't happen at the time it was supposed to. For example, his mom was a few minutes late getting home from work towards the beginning of the book and Bat was very worried and upset. As soon as she got home, he immediately went outside to greet her and said, "you're late". His mom is a veterinarian and one day, she brought home a kit, a baby skunk. Bat was thrilled by this and was so excited to have the opportunity to take care if 'his pet'. His mom reiterated throughout the book that they were to give the baby skunk, later to be named Thor, to professionals once he was old enough. However, Bat loved Thor dearly and wanted to persuade his mom to let them keep him longer. One day, Bat went to his third grade teacher in hopes that his teacher would help him write an email to a skunk professional, Dr. Jerry Dragoo asking him to tell Bat's mom that they should keep the kit. Bat's teacher was a very supporting character throughout this story and Bat looked up to him. Throughout this story, Bat explains that he doesn't like loud noises and often wears his headphones when it gets too loud. Bat's parents are divorced, but both very encouraging and proud of Bat. He also has an older sister which he adores, but would never admit that to her.
Just Ask! is a beautiful story written by Sonia Sotomayor and amazingly illustrated by Rafael Lopez. This story allows readers to engage in just asking questions about their friends in order to learn who they are, and understand that everyone is different and those differences are what makes us all unique and beautiful. This story takes place with friends planting a garden, a magical place, and each friend contributes something beautiful about themselves. For example, The main character talks about how she takes medicine every day for her diabetes and another character has an inhaler because of her asthma.
About the Authors!
Author Elana K. Arnold grew up in Southern California where she owned a pet mare. She is a critically acclaimed and award-winning young adult novels and children’s books. Several of her books are Junior Library Guild selections and have appeared on many best book lists, including the Amelia Bloomer Project, a catalog of feminist titles for young readers. Elana teaches in Hamline University’s MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults program and lives in Southern California with her family and menagerie of pets.
Illustrator Rafael Lopez is an expectational illustrator and artist. His illustrations bring diverse characters to children’s books and he is driven to produce and promote books that reflect and honor the lives of all young people. He was born and raised in Mexico City to architect parents, Rafael López was immersed in the rich visual heritage, music and surrealism of his native culture.
Some of his incredible work!
Supreme court justice member, Sonia Sotomayor, was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes when she was 7 years old. She said that she would sometimes feel different from other kids because of what she had to do in order to take care of herself, such as giving herself an insulin shot. She wants to encourage others that if you ever wonder why someone is doing something different from other kids, then just ask!
Check out this interview with the Author and Illustrator of, Just Ask!
Charles Santoso is an amazing illustrator and loves to draw anything with humor. In this story, A Boy Called Bat, he includes black and white drawings that give the readers an idea of what Bat, the main character is going through.
Rescue and Jessica is a 2019 Schneider Family Book Award winner based on a real-life partnership. This is a beautiful story about a girl who lost both of her legs in the bombings of the Boston Marathon. Her service dog, Rescue, helps her with just about everything that he can. This is an even sweeter story because it was written by Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes, and based upon a true story and event. The two authors are actually married and were in the Boston Marathon together when they were both injured. This story is inspiring in so many different ways!
Using this text in the classroom!
After reading this text with my students, I would lead them in a discussion about the following guiding questions:
​
-
What are some challenges the main character goes through from day-to-day?
-
How does Rescue play a major role in this story?
-
How does the main character develop over the story?
-
What would you do if you put yourself in the main character's shoes?
-
How would you feel?
My Thoughts!
I can't wait to share these texts in my future classroom with my students. I think this will be a great way to help them understand not only how people live with certain disabilities, but will help them learn more about empathy and what it may be like in other peoples shoes. There are many affordances with having these texts available for students. However, I believe that it is very important to remind students that these texts are coming from the perspective of the main characters. Does that mean everyone with the same disability has the same views? NO. I think it is important to remind students that everyone is different, and beautiful in their own ways!
​
#OWNvoices
Guiding Questions!
How Is the Life of the Character With a Disability Presented as Multidimensional?
A Boy Called Bat: Bat, the main character, has autism. However, he is also portrayed in this story as a very hard working, motivating young boy who doesn't let anybody hold him back by pursuing his hopes.
​
Just Ask!: All of the character's in this text are different, yet the same. Everyone has a different disability, but none of them are held back because of it. They all use their abilities to become stronger and proud of who they are.
​
Whose Voice Is Represented and Privileged in the Telling of This Story?
A Boy Called Bat: This text was written by Elana Arnold. Even though the main character in this story has ASD, Elana does not. However, she had the privilege of consulting with individuals who do have ASD when writing this text. I enjoyed reading this text and learned a lot from the main character!
​
Just Ask!: The author of this text, Sonia Sotomayor, has diabetes. Her voice is heard in this text because she wrote a page about diabetes from her point of view. She wrote this text because she wanted others to see what life may look like with diabetes from her perspective.
​
How Are Readers Positioned to Think and Feel About the Character With a Disability?
A Boy Called Bat: Readers are able to think and feel how Bat cares and fights for the kit. Readers have the opportunity to see how motivated Bat is in researching more about kit and trying to take care of him.
​
Just Ask!: In this text, readers see the perspective of numerous individuals who have different disabilities. With this, readers are able to see how people can overcome different situations and provide insight on their takeaways of things.
​
What Steps Has the Author Taken to Create and Present Authentic Relationships?
A Boy Called Bat: Bat lives with his mother and his older sister and also spends time at his fathers every other weekend. His family is very supportive of him and encourages him in his love for the kit. His teacher also supports him and helps Bat with whatever he needs. He even helped Bat with connecting him to the skunk specialist.
​
Just Ask!: In this text, everyone is coming together while working in a garden. This is unique because everyone brings something different to the garden and they are all equally accepted and supported.
References!
Arnold, E. K., & Santoso, C. (2018). A boy called Bat. New York, NY: Walden Pond Press, an imprint of HarperCollins
​
Sotomayor, S., & Lopez, R. (2019). Just Ask!: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You. New York, NY: Penguin Young Readers Group