I am, you are by Ashley Harris Whaley. Illus. by Ananya Rao-Middleton

I Am, You Are is a powerful, newly released book written and illustrated by two disabled people who are also disability activists. This book aims to encourage important discussion and foster growing understanding of the term disability.

Beginning with the statement ‘We are all different’, the book discusses differences, how diverse all people are, and that disability is part of that diversity. The pages following are devoted to the question ‘What is disability?’ and give a range of examples as well as information about seen and unseen disabilities, examples of how diverse disability is and introduces the term neurodivergent. There are further pages dedicated to ableism: how it is found everywhere and how wrong it is to make assumptions. There is discussion around accessibility, inclusivity, limitations, adaptation and innovation with the excellent examples given providing an opportunity for greater understanding.

Encouraging the use of respect, thoughtfulness and consideration in relation to disabled people are shared with ideas for adults and children to act accordingly. There are many key points to come out of the book but two that resonated are that it is important to ask disabled people how they would like to be described and that so much can be learnt from each other’s differences.

This book is presented in bright bold colours with diverse characters showing a number of differing disabilities. There are images, text boxes, speech bubbles, highlighted text, and easily accessible information which will allow children to read it independently. In the final pages there is a glossary as well as three questions to prompt discussion and a note for adults. I Am, You Are is a perfect resource to start a significant conversation around disability beginning in the early primary years through to older primary/early high school years.

Themes: Disability, Discussion, Individuality, Empowerment, Diversity, Neurodivergent, Ableism.

Kathryn Beilby