Jeanne Willis and Tony Ross have worked as a partnership on many children’s books including the Dr Xargle series. With vibrant illustrations and simple rhyming text this is a warm and cheerful book about a lively, busy little girl. It is only on the final page that we find out that Susan is in a wheelchair.

Print.Susan can do all kinds of things: laugh, sing, dance, swim. Englewood, Colorado: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2001. Reference and Information Services: An Introduction. “ I would argue that in presenting programs and readers advisory to the public, our knowledge and use of excellent materials such as Susan Laughs help speak to both inclusion and the performance of a form of advocacy through educating readers. Sutton point out that service to all“encompasses individuals with a variety of needs” and that developing library services “for specific populations within our society is an essential corollary to developing services to the majority.” Furthermore “service to specific populations is an ethical as well as legal” obligation and that we should not only provide service without discrimination but “be advocates for members of these groups to ensure them equitable access to information and materials. In Reference and Information Services: An Introduction Frances F.

For librarians some more subtle lessons can also be taken from this text: do not view disabled patrons based on what you believe they can not do, do not treat these patrons as a disability rather than a person, enable access to not only all areas of your library but all services and programs so that you are providing an experience of seamless inclusion, like what Susan’s friends and family offer in this book. But this book could also be used with no discussion, or in story times about discussing feelings or daily life.

The singsong words and humorous pencil and crayon art set a light, joyous tone that will create a comfortable entry point for discussing disabilities. This book is suitable for story times and belongs in classrooms as well. In a vignette where Susan is sometimes shy and sometimes loud, “Susan’s angry, Susan’s proud” our heroine is first hiding quietly beneath the drapes, then startling the cat, followed by a scowl as the cat has made his displeasure known by scratching her face, then a peaceful smile as she sports a new set of band-aids on each cheek. For fans of Olivia, Madeline or David this will be a fun addition to their libraries. Show More Willis and Tony Ross have created a picture book where the text and pictures marry seamlessly.

Susan laughs book