I am honoured to be part of the 2022 Multicultural Children’s Book Day -#ReadYourWorld, which takes place January 28th, 2022. This is the ninth year for this special celebration, in books. MCBD’s mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in homes and school bookshelves.
(Note: I was provided with a review copy by Star Bright Books, for which I am thankful. The following is my honest review of the book)
My Review:
I Have Cerebral Palsy is Sydney’s delightful story about her life with cerebral palsy. As she says:
“I am a kid like you, but I do have to do some things differently.”
She explains what cerebral palsy is, how it affects her and how others with CP may be affected. She explains what muscle spasms are, what physiotherapy she does and why it is needed.
She is very open about the challenges she faces, but she is always upbeat. She may have trouble moving and talking easily, but it doesn’t stop her from enjoying life fully.
Sydney shares so many of the things she loves to do – from riding a bike, reading, drawing to playing baseball.
Yet she can have her feelings hurt, especially when she is having a facial muscle spasm. She wants people to know that she doesn’t laugh when people are different. As she says:
“Differences are what make people interesting.”
I thoroughly enjoyed Sydney’s story and would highly recommend it. Thank you, Sydney, for your candor and sweetness.
About the Book:
By Mary Beth Springer
Picture Book • Ages 4-8 • 32 pages
Hardcover: 978-1-59572-750-3 ($16.99)
Paperback: 978-1-59572-751-0 ($7.99)
(Also available on Amazon and Bookshop.org)
Summary
Meet Sydney, a girl who likes the same things other kids do–riding her bike, playing baseball, and hanging out with her friends. Sydney also has cerebral palsy, which makes walking, talking, and using her hands difficult.
Sydney shares her first-hand account of life with cerebral palsy in I Have Cerebral Palsy so that others can understand what her life is like. Most importantly, Sydney wants her story to help other kids feel more comfortable around people with disabilities. Additional resources are available to learn more about cerebral palsy and organizations that help children with disabilities and their families lead active lives.
About the Contributor
As a child growing up on a farm near La Crosse, Wisconsin, Mary Beth Springer enjoyed trips to the library. She started writing for magazines and newspapers in 2001. I Have Cerebral Palsy was written to increase the understanding of what cerebral palsy is, thus enhancing the meaningful interaction between physically challenged and non-physically challenged children.
Social Media Channels
- Star Bright Books website: https://starbrightbooks.com/index.php
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Beverley A Baird 
What a wonderful book and girl to share her life to help others understand Cerebtal Palsy. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Lisa. It was such a lovely book, and so informative for children.
This is one book I need to check out. Perfect theme for my website.
Thank you Patricia. It was a lovely book
It looks like a fantastic book! Thanks for the review.
Thnaks Linda. A really informative book – especially for kids.