Just Like Me
by Louise Gooding, illustrated by Caterina delli Carri, Angel Chang, Cathy Hookey and Melissa Iwai
Interest age: 9 to 12
Reading age: 9+
Published by Studio Press, 2021
About this book
Our uniqueness makes us who we are. This glorious anthology encourages us to celebrate this uniqueness and recognise our potential to achieve whatever we want.
The 40 neurologically and physically diverse people introduced in this book have done just that. They have all smashed stereotypes, overcome misconceptions and shown the world just what they are capable of. There’s a fascinatingly eclectic range of names, including both the globally famous (like Usain Bolt and Richard Branson) but also the lesser known, like Turia Pitt (who survived a fire with 65 per cent burns) and Nkosi Johnson (who was born with HIV). All their profiles are brought to life with absorbing biographies, inspiring quotes, facts and colourful portraits by four different artists.
Plus there’s a wealth of surprising facts and fascinating details to be discovered and discussed along the way. Who knew that Daniel Radcliffe had dyspraxia? Have you ever seen Frida Kahlo pictured in a wheelchair? And can you spot Matt Haig’s "black dog"?
The author (who has ADHD) sets out to prove to neurodivergent children that you can overcome any potential limitations of a label, but in doing so she has also created an absorbing and highly attractive book relevant to any and every child.
More books like this
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Wonderfully Wired Brains: An introduction to the world of neurodiversity
by Louise Gooding, illustrated by Ruth Burrows
9 to 14 years
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Dance of Resistance
by Catherine Johnson, illustrated by Katie Hickey
9 to 14 years
-
The Stuff That Stuff Is Made Of
by Jonathan Drori, illustrated by Raxenne Maniquiz and Jiatong Liu
9 to 14 years
-
Pets Tell Tales: Ancient Egypt
by Rik Worth, illustrated by Jordan Collver
5 to 14 years
Lists of recommended reads
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Books about epilepsy and seizures
This booklist includes books with characters who have epilepsy and books with characters that have seizures. The cause is not always explained or known, nor is it the same in every case. It’s important to note that those books set in historical times do show some ignorance and subsequent ill-treatment, which can be hard to read about. However, these are excellent books that are well worth every child reading.
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Books featuring characters with ADHD
Books are a way to provide glimpses into other people’s experiences. This booklist is a range of excellent picture books and fiction that feature characters with ADHD, and several non-fiction titles about neurodiversity too. Every child will enjoy reading them.