Sam's Super Seats

June 1, 2022
A child with cerebral palsy describes how resting helps them to have fun. Every morning, as Daddy combs Sam's hair, Sam, a Black child sporting glasses, lists qualities they like about themselves. Today, Sam likes their dance skills, their eyes, and their fingers, which are slightly crooked on their right hand. But cerebral palsy makes Sam's legs tired if they overdo things. And Sam has a busy day ahead: Mommy is taking them and their best friends, Sydney and Sarah, shopping for back-to-school clothes! Fortunately, Sam has a team of "super seats," which she creatively anthropomorphizes, so she can rest up and join the fun. Misty, a couch named for ballerina Misty Copeland, is a partner for pirouetting and playing I Spy. And Laney, the back seat of Mommy's car, tells hilarious jokes. At the mall, Sam and their supportive friends don clothes that make them feel strong and confident, and Sam "walk[s] the runway, limping with pride," in adaptive clothing. As the day winds down, Sam declares that "being me is the best, and sometimes I need a little rest." Brown offers a warmhearted, necessary affirmation of disability and self-love through a multifaceted, endearingly imaginative narrator. Miller's bright cartoon illustrations radiate joy and affection; Sam's grin is infectious. Sydney has light skin and curly brown hair; Sarah is Asian. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A spirited celebration of self-confidence and self-care. (Picture book. 4-6)

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June 27, 2022
Supported by a series of “super seats,” Sam, a Black child who has cerebral palsy, goes back-to-school shopping in an exuberant picture book that centers ease and rest. Preparing to meet up with two best friends, Sam acknowledges that “I overdid it on the swings” the day before, so sits on their favorite super seat—“comfortable and graceful” living room couch Misty, named for ballerina Misty Copeland. En route to the mall, they next perch on “funny, cool, and kind” Laney, the car’s back seat. After assembling outfits (including pieces of adaptive clothing) and posing in new duds that make them feel “good on the inside and outside... strong... and ready to learn,” Sam needs a rest. The group sits down together on a wooden bench that befriends Sam. (“I know I’m not that comfy,” says Maya the bench, “but I can help you rest when you are tired.”) Brown’s (The Pretty One, for adults) candid prose matches the characters’ affectionate demeanors and open expressions, while Miller’s (Michelle’s Garden) pencil-and-watercolor illustrations add playfulness to an assured story about accommodation and self-love. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Alexander Slater, Trident Media Group. Illustrator’s agent: Monica Odom, Odom Media Management.

July 29, 2022

PreS-Gr 3-This back-to-school story has a welcoming spin for those who are differently-abled; Brown, who identifies as a disabled activist, introduces readers to Sam, a little girl with a big personality who does not allow her physical condition to affect her negatively. Sam has cerebral palsy and sometimes requires rest for her tired legs. When it's time for a break, she finds a super seat, any spot where she and her friends when they are around can rest. In the story, Sam's mom takes her and two friends shopping. They find new outfits, give plenty of compliments, and look forward to their new school year. Brown's lively text carries the plot and allows the reader to hear Sam's voice and personality. Miller creates spirited scenes that offer a glimpse of Sam's movements, immerse readers in Sam's world, her matter-of-fact attitude, her kind and very mainstream friends (a diverse group, while Sam and her family are Black), and the overlap of Sam's normal with everyone else's. VERDICT Regardless of differences, this is a back-to-school tale that captures the excitement and anticipation of this special time of year; the treatment of Sam's working with her particular body while surpassing expectations and living life to the fullest is one every child can relate to. Recommended for all those teaching acceptance and tolerance in all aspects of life.-Brittany McMahon

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