“Exploring the topic of learning disabilities can be challenging, especially the social-emotional fallout for children who are struggling, but Thompkins-Bigelow accomplishes the task. Rose’s lively and colorful illustrations are eye-pleasing and showcase diversity. This is an engaging story that not only offers empowerment but also models understanding and acceptance of learning differences.” —The Horn Book Magazine
The curiosity of children knows no bounds. They often have questions when they encounter people they see as different from themselves. Discussions about differences based on ability, race, gender, sexual orientation, appearance, or origin create opportunities to engage in important conversations.
While sometimes these conversations seem tough, it’s an important opportunity to help kids actively choose to be inclusive of people who (at first!) seem unlike them.
In Abdul’s Story by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, a little boy who loves storytelling but struggles with writing learns that it’s okay to make mistakes in this charming and encouraging picture book from the author of Mommy’s Khimar. Abdul loves to tell stories. But writing them down is hard. His letters refuse to stay straight and face the right way. And despite all his attempts, his papers often wind up with more eraser smudges than actual words. Abdul decides his stories just aren’t meant to be written down…until a special visitor comes to class and shows Abdul that even the best writers-and superheroes-make mistakes.
Abdul, a kid with skin the color of the orange of a sunset and a hairstyle cut high and tight, is full of stories, and his classmates clamor for them, according to Kimberly Olson Fakih in School Library Journal.
The residents of his neighborhood star in these stories because Abdul observes everything and misses little. An author visits his class, sending Abdul into a tailspin of worry. Some letters challenge him; he erases a lot; he makes a mess on the page. The teacher, Mr. Muhammad, shows Abdul his own messy notebook, and opens the boy’s mind up to rewriting, and reworking, until the story on the page matches Abdul’s ideals.
And …
That one adult can turn a child away from self-loathing to self-realization is a common theme, but it’s transcendent here. There is no epiphany, no abrupt connection but instead loads of hard work and compassion, as well as patience. In the cheerful illustrations, the classroom is full of supporting characters of many backgrounds, but this is definitely Abdul’s story. VERDICT A realistic look at what it takes to improve, this book will find a wide audience among other children who have struggled with words.
While adults may have the skill set to use nuanced language in reference to groups of people, children may not yet understand how to navigate such communication.
“Generally, children want to know why people are different, what this means, and how those differences relate to them. Remember that children’s questions and comments are a way for them to gather information about aspects of their identity and usually do not stem from bias or prejudice,” writes Scholastic.
When children blurt out things that are potentially offensive, they probably did so without harmful intent. Correct the underlying misconceptions behind their statement and engage them in a conversation about how their words could hurt feelings. For many adults the process may need to begin with examining your own biases. Books like this one can cultivate empathy and community, while challenging the idea of “normal.”