"Yes I Can!" - a bookwrap

Unwrapping

Yes I Can!: A Girl and Her Wheelchair 

by Kendra J. Barrett (Author), Jacqueline B. Toner (Author), Clair A.B. Freeland (Author)

Illustrated by Violet Lemay

* Age Range: 4-8
* Grade Level: PS-3
* Hardcover: 32 pages
* Publisher: Magination Press; 1 edition
* Pub. Date: November 20, 2018
* Language: English


Unwrapping some great illustrations for you

Unravelling the story

This is a book about a little disabled girl named Carolyn.  She is unable to do many things that other kids her age can do.  She still  manages to participate in activities but does so in her own way.   You see, Carolyn is bound to a wheelchair because her legs don't work, but that does not hold this spirited little girl back from engaging enthusiastically in life.  No way! 

With the strong support of her loving family and friends who encourage her and lift her up she is not afraid to do what other kids her age participate in.  She daily goes to school, goes on a school trip with the aid of a special bus, helps her mom around the house with household chores and looking after her baby brother, and even goes bowling. What a girl! 

 The book also touches on the fact that sometimes Carolyn feels downhearted because she sometimes views her life through her disability lens - but true to her nature she re-routes those negative  thoughts into positive ones and chants.... YES I CAN!  She is a fighter and a brave little girl that faces her challenges head on and overcomes them despite her disability. 

At the end of the book is featured a section entitled "Note  to Parents, Caregivers, and Teachers". It offers helpful information explaining disabilities and how those restricted to a wheelchair accomplish their day.  It also encourages kids who may be reluctant to interact with a child with a disablement to smile at them, say hello and to treat them with kindness. 

The illustrations are bright, animated and full of emotion.  This would be a wonderful addition to a classroom and also an elementary school library.  

Storywraps Rating - 5 HUGS!!!!!

About the three authors and the illustrator

Kendra J. Barrett, DPT, is a pediatric physical therapist who has worked in early intervention and public schools for eight years since graduating from Ithaca College with a doctorate in physical therapy. She currently works in a public school for students age 3–21 with intellectual and physical disabilities. This is her first book, and she was thrilled to work with her mom on this project. Dr. Barrett lives in Towson, MD, with her husband, and she welcomed her first child, a boy, during the process of writing this book.

Jacqueline B. Toner, PhD, is the co-author of a number of books for children and teens addressing social and emotional challenges. She practiced clinical psychology for over three decades serving children, teens, and families. Dr. Toner lives in Baltimore, MD, with her husband. They have three married daughters and two grandsons. It has been a special joy to co-write this book with her second born!

Claire A. B. Freeland, PhD, is a clinical psychologist in private practice, working for more than 35 years with youth and their families. With an interest in bringing psychological concepts to a wide audience, she has co-written several books for children and teens on subjects related to emotions and behavior. She lives with her husband in Baltimore, MD. They have two grown children.

Violet Lemay was a stage designer, a college art professor, and an editorial illustrator before arriving at her dream job: illustrating books for kids. Violet has illustrated more than 20 books, a handful of which she also wrote. If she's not at her desk drawing, she's probably in the backyard feeding the birds, who think she is Snow White.

Follow Storywraps

*Instagram: Storywraps

*Email:  storywrapsblog@gmail.com

*Facebook:  www.facebook.com/Storywraps

*Twitter: Storywraps@Storywraps1

Pinterest: Storywraps

I put hours of work finding the best kid's books to review for you each day.  If you enjoy visiting Storywraps and would like to donate something for my time and effort I would greatly appreciate it.

Go to the top of my blog at the right hand corner (below my photo) and please donate what you feel lead to give.  The amount you donate and the frequency you donate is totally up to you.  I thank you in advance for your support.  I love what I do and appreciate any amount that you may give so I can make our community even better.  Thanks a million! 

Read on...

Read always.

It's a wrap! 

💜💜💜