About the Book The Wonderful Way You Are

Book: The Wonderful Way You Are

Author: Sarah E. Brooks

Genre: Children’s Non-fiction Picture Book (age 3-7)

Release date: October 10, 2020

Every child deserves to feel fully loved, fully seen and fully known.

We all long to feel accepted and loved. Our special needs children are no different. Growing up with a disability or chronic medical condition can create a unique set of challenges and may leave a child asking questions like:

“Why am I the way I am?”

“Is there anyone else out there like me?”

“Where do I belong?”

“Is it OK if I don’t look, think, or move like those around me?”

Based on real special needs children, the book’s vivid illustrations and rhyming text help children, with a variety of medical conditions, see their story reflected on the page because every child deserves to see their story told.

Unlike other books that focus on a single condition, this book highlights a variety of children with different complex needs.

Some of the conditions included:

Cerebral Palsy

Cystic Fibrosis

Gorlin Syndrome

Vitiligo

G-Tubes

Wheelchairs and Mobility Aids

Prosthetic Limbs

Limb Difference

Autism/Neurodiversity

Down Syndrome

When special needs children know they are wonderful, not in spite of their differences, but because of them, they are equipped to not just survive but thrive.

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts on The Wonderful Way You Are

Did you grow up with someone special in your house or class?  Maybe someone who had a disability or was different than the rest of the kids?  How were they treated?  Did you treat them like you would a “normal” child?

You see, I had firsthand knowledge of how people treat those with physical or mental differences from the “norm” differently.  I have two older brothers with Cerebral Palsy and they had to wear braces and use walkers to get around growing up.  In fact, they still do though one is now in a wheelchair for quite a bit of his time as well.  

My brothers are twins and they both have CP.  People often just saw their disability and didn’t see them.  They didn’t get to know them or stop and spend time with them to see what truly made them different and unique, and I’m not talking about the CP!!

I think this is a great book to add to all library shelves and home bookshelves as well.  We need to explain to children how it can be hurtful to point and talk about someone instead of talking to them.  You’d be surprised what this will do to future generations. 

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received through Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

About the Author of The Wonderful Way You Are

Sarah Elizabeth Brooks is a special needs mom to a warrior princess and three fantastic sons. When she’s not writing or recording instrumental piano albums, you can find her dodging Mt. Laundry to sneak away with a cup of hot tea, some dark chocolate, and a good book.

More from Sarah

I was always that awkward kid at recess who opted to sit on a bench with a book. Not because I was antisocial, but because I loved being able to experience new worlds and adventures through the pages of a book. As I grew, that love of reading stayed with me, and it’s a pastime that I hope to pass on to my own children.

While I always knew that I wanted to write a book one day, a rhyming picture book about special needs kids was not on my radar…that is until my youngest daughter was born. At five months old, she faced her first brain surgery, with a second brain surgery following two months later.

When we received her diagnosis of Gorlin Syndrome, I went into mama research mode. I wanted to do everything I could to help keep her safe and prepare her for the future. As my daughter prepared to enter a preschool for children with developmental disabilities, I wondered how others would treat her.

The Wonderful Way You Are is a love letter from a parent (or grandparent) to the child they love. It acknowledges some of the unique challenges that can come with being different from those around you while reinforcing the truth that we all have a unique gift to share with the world.

My hope and prayer is that this book will be a blessing to families with children of all abilities, that it will open up conversations about difference, and encourage and equip children to know that they are wonderful, exactly the way they are.

Thanks for taking the time to join me on this journey!
-Sarah

Blog Stops for The Wonderful Way You Are

For Him and My Family, May 19

Inklings and notions, May 20

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 21

Texas Book-aholic, May 22

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, May 23

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 24

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, May 25

A Baker’s Perspective, May 26

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, May 27

deb’s Book Review, May 28

Beauty in the Binding, May 29 (Author Interview)

cats in the cradle blog, May 29

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, May 30

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, May 31

Vicky Sluiter, June 1 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, June 1

Giveaway for The Wonderful Way You Are

To celebrate her tour, Sarah is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon Gift Card and an autographed copy of The Wonderful Way You Are!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway!

Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/10ca4/the-wonderful-way-you-are-celebration-tour-giveaway