How Are you Verity?
Author: Meghan Wilson Duff Illustrator : Taylor Barron
In the book, How Are You, VERITY?, a commonly accepted social greeting, “how are you? “I am doing good” is altered by an imaginative, neurodivergent child, Verity when they respond to their neighbors in the community.
In the book, How Are You, VERITY?, Verity uses the salutation ‘they’. Verity is yearning to go on the field trip to the aquarium, has a strong interest in marine biology, and they are enthusiastic about sharing their knowledge about marine animals with people. Being neurodivergent, and on spectrum, Verity is oblivious to the social norms. When the neighbors ask, how are you Verity? Verity wants to strike up a conversation and interact more about sea animals.
However, when Verity’s brother reminds that when people greet, they don’t look forward to hearing the details, Verity decides to experiment. Verity later finds out that the field trip is cancelled, but their ingenious mind gives way to a creative idea.
The Book, How Are you Verity, gives a perspective of a neurodivergent child’s mind. This beautiful mind, though different from the typical beings, can be filled with boundless knowledge and imagination. Verity truly wants to connect with people around, where they can reciprocate even with a grumpy person.
Verity loves reading, and is driven to learn more about sea animals. Verity is seen drawing pictures about marine life, is climate conscious. Verity is a thinker, who ponders various possibilities of sea species. It is this brilliant mind that gives way to an ingenious idea when things don’t go as planned for Verity.
The book highlights the myriad qualities of a neurodivergent mind and how they can inspire the world around them. The nonbinary salutation of Verity (they) inspires readers to socially accept the dissimilarities within us.
How Are you Verity? Is a wonderful read and is a must addition to classroom libraries, to teach about social acceptance and neurodivergence.
“We voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book provided by the publisher, American Psychological Association, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are our own”.
SAM’S SUPER SEATS
Author: Keah Brown Illustrator: Sharee Miller
In the book ‘SAM’S SUPER SEATS’, Sam is a girl with cerebral palsy, which means that her legs get tired, and she needs rest after occasional intervals. Sam’s comfortable seats at home are personified chairs, with something special which makes them ‘Sam’s Super Seats’ as she rests and rewinds to get ready for her day.
The book ‘Sam’s Super Seat’ comes with fun illustrations where Sam goes back to school shopping with her mom and friends at the mall. Readers can relate with Sam and her friends as she enjoys the mall shopping for cute clothes, and friendship treasures, watching people, clicking silly pictures while resting as she gets tired.
Filled with lots of giggles, hugs, and laughter, and most of all having fun time with besties, this is an enjoyable read for all. It’s about feeling loved and strong from inside out.
Song In the City
Author: Daniel Bernstrom Illustrator: Jenin Mohammed
Emmalene who is blind and her Grandma Jean explore a busy city street on a Sunday morning while going to church. Emmalene’s rhythmic interpretations of the city sounds puzzle Grandma Jean who finds it as a city chaos.
It is only when Emmalene closes Grandma Jean’s eyes, a magical revelation occurs. Teeming with onomatopoeic text, the book Song in the City with its enchanted illustrations gives a complete peek into Emmalene’s world and her perception of the vibrating sounds. Bridging the gap between the generations, the book Song in the City, is a perfect read aloud, which also encourages diversity and representation.
