Author: Sonia Sotomayor

Illustrator: Rafael López

Publisher: Philomel Books

Summary

Join Sonya and her classmates as they plant a garden and share the different ways they flourish—just like the seeds they are growing. In the classroom, there are many children with complex bodies who are eager to share their experiences, from managing asthma and using a wheelchair to navigating a stutter, living with Tourette’s, or having a nut allergy. Each child uses their voice in their own way: some ask questions, others are great listeners, some express themselves through art and movement, while others have more difficulty moving their body. What unites them all is their willingness to share who they are and embrace their one-of-a-kind perspective. By the end of this book, you can’t help but feel empowered to consider your own unique set of strengths.

Review

This book offers an excellent overview of a variety of disabilities, using a *tried and true* garden analogy to help children recognize individual strengths. What I especially appreciate is the way it presents multiple examples of preferences and abilities within the same diagnosis or condition. This reinforces the important message that labels don't define a person and highlights the need to be cautious about making assumptions when meeting someone new. At the same time, it shows that the more we understand people’s intersectionality, the better equipped we are to support them in ways that are meaningful and respectful to the way their brain is wired.

What’s most crucial is that children are exposed to these diverse characters and given the opportunity to ask questions in a safe, open space. The language in this book is accessible, infused with kindness and compassion, and encourages children to use the same approach when seeking information or advocating for themselves in the real world. This would be an ideal read-aloud for circle time in the classroom!

Extend the Learning:

If your child has a disability, this book can be a wonderful way to reassure them that they’re not alone and that many others share similar challenges. There’s no need to force a conversation if they’re not ready—simply reading the book may allow the message to resonate more deeply. But if they feel comfortable and want to discuss it further, you can help extend the learning by asking if they'd like to make a plan for how to approach these conversations with friends. You could also explore whether they like the language used in the book or want to modify it, and offer them space to reflect on times they’ve educated others or advocated for themselves in the past.

For children who are curious and may have limited knowledge about Autism, Down Syndrome, Deafness, Blindness, asthma, stuttering, dyslexia, ADHD, or Tourette’s; use this book to introduce the topics! Approach these conversations with care. To drive home the message that each person may be different in their comfort discussing their own disability, brainstorm some scenarios and ask your child to identify whether it was a kind vs. unkind way to ask (for clarification). Discuss the difference between intention vs. impact (e.g., statements that a child may consider as appropriate because they’re curious, but may have the impact of being hurtful or calling attention to someone negatively).