SF Book Review on Serena Tejpar’s “You Are So Much More”

You Are So Much More: An Inspiration for Children Healing from Trauma or Injury follows the tumultuous journey of a young girl who is struggling with her chronic illness. While other children her age are playing outside, going to school, and experiencing the freedom of youth, she must stay in hospital to receive treatment. Since her condition is not mentioned, the story should be easily relatable for any child struggling with any serious ailment. The author acknowledges how scary it can be to live with a serious condition, but also offers hope and encouragement for young survivors.

It is refreshing to see a children’s book that tackles this sensitive subject with a perfect combination positivity and realism. This story is equally important for healthy children to hear. Even though they may not be able to relate to the main character presently, they will gain a better understanding of the daily struggles that plague individuals who are battling illness. The emotions portrayed will help children build empathy toward sick individuals, while also showing how brave one must be to withstand all these challenges. The author provides resources after the story to assist adults who are caring for a child with a chronic illness.

Reviewed By: for San Francisco Book Review
Author Serena Tejpar
Star Count 5/5
Format Trade
Page Count 44 pages
Publisher Loving Healing Press
Publish Date 01-Jun-2022
ISBN 9781615996322
Bookshop.org Buy this Book
Issue June 2022
Category Children’s
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And You Can Love Me

978-1-61599-424-3
$12.95
In stock
1
Product Details
UPC: 978-1-61599-424-3
Brand: Loving Healing Press
Binding: Paperback
Edition: 1st
Author: Sherry Quan Lee
Illustrator: Teagan "Trif" Merrifield
Pages: 32

And You Can Love Me is a story for everyone who loves someone with ASD (autism spectrum disorder). It is the fictional story of Ethan, a nonverbal autistic child, based on the author’s observations and experiences with her grandson. The bounce of a ball is not only a metaphor, but also how the author imagines that the child is releasing his innermost physical and emotional challenges. It is a love story that can be recognized by parents, caregivers and teachers; a story that embraces Ethan, a nonverbal child, who may never/or not yet be able to write his own story, yet he lives it every day and tells it by his actions and by bouncing a ball– any ball, any size, any color.

And You Can Love Me is also a picture book that a child with ASD may, in some way, recognize within himself/herself. It doesn’t try to explain, define or even educate; it is merely Ethan’s story - the story of one particular nonverbal autistic child; one of the many stories that will add to the diversity of ASD stories.

ACCLAIM FOR AND YOU CAN LOVE ME

“As a mother and grandmother, this story speaks to me about the power of unconditional love we bring to any situation. This book is an excellent resource for adults who have a child or grandchild with autism. It acknowledges the different ways a loved one with autism may communicate and reminds me that we love completely. As a former special education teacher, I am able to keep sharing with people, through this story, about the wonderful diversity that we see in the world. Everyone has gifts.”
--Deb Holtz is a former special education teacher, a current end-of-life doula and a mother and grandmother.

"In And You Can Love Me, Sherry Quan Lee gives us the world of Ethan, a little boy with autism. Although Ethan is mute, his daily routine of bouncing a ball and expressing his needs, as well as his interior life, are revealed through simple sketches and lovely lines, like Today I am another year of being me. A welcome and wonderful addition to the as-yet-tiny body of work about children with autism, And You Can Love Me is a beautiful, profoundly moving book.”
--Alison McGhee, New York Times bestselling author of many books for children and adults.

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