Playdate Surprise

Written by Karen Autio

Illustrated by Laura Watson

Scholastic Canada

978-1-4431-9981-0

24 pp.

Ages 3-7

September 2024

 

Remember the two friends Kayla and Piper from I Can, Too!? Karen Autio and Laura Watson have brought the two little girls, one with mobility issues, together again in a story of friendship and accommodation.

From Playdate Surprise, written by Karen Autio, illustrated by Laura Watson

Being a friend and having a friend are great opportunities for growing as a person with the fun and understanding that comes from being together. No wonder Kayla is so excited when Piper is able to come over to her house for a playdate. Although there are lots of accommodations that have been made for Kayla to get around outside and in her house, these are not the focus as the two girls play with Kayla's dog Roscoe, who is very well trained, and just having fun.

From Playdate Surprise, written by Karen Autio, illustrated by Laura Watson

But when it's time for Piper to leave and she wants to invite Kayla to their house the next day, Piper's mom realizes that their front step would be an obstacle to Kayla. So, the girls must wait until the weekend when Kayla's dad can help her get into Piper's house.

From Playdate Surprise, written by Karen Autio, illustrated by Laura Watson

Their next playdate is just as much fun. No wonder that the girls want to continue having playdates and Piper's family finds a way to help that happen with an unexpected surprise of accessibility.

 

Karen Autio's first story of Kayla focused on the different modes of mobility available to a child in a wheelchair, allowing her to do many of the same activities as her wheel-less peers. In Playdate Surprise, that same message of positivity is pervasive, with Kayla and Piper smiling with joy for their friendship and time to be spent together. And even though a concrete step is a real impediment to Kayla's visiting Piper's house, both families find a way or two to accommodate her wheelchair and support the girls' friendship. 

 

Laura Watson, who also illustrated I Can, Too!, uses her digital art to keep the story light and yet meaningful. Her bold colours and joyous characters make a story a positive one of camaraderie and reassurance, demonstrating that at its heart, Playdate Surprise is a story of two friends, one of whom just happens to be in a wheelchair.

 

Karen Autio's dedication suggests that there was such a family that modified their home to allow her daughter accessibility, for which she was very thankful, so she speaks from experience in Playdate Surprise. That alone makes this picture book special. But it's also a reminder to everyone that accessibility doesn't just happen. We have to make it happen, whether through policy or protest, training or grassroots actions at home. Because when everyone is included, there's a lot more smiling that happens for everyone.

Fast Friends

Written by Heather M. O'Connor

Illustrated by Claudia Dávila

Scholastic Canada

978-1-4431-7040-6

32 pp.

Ages 3-8

June 2020

With a play on words and a story of  friendship beyond differences, Heather M. O'Connor helps children see the importance of focusing on our commonalities which connect us rather than that which might separate us.

From Fast Friends by Heather M. O'Connor, illus. by Claudia Dávila

Tyson is a boy who likes to do everything fast: run, eat, work. It often gets him in trouble with his teacher and classmates who might not appreciate the spills he causes or the impatience he has for them. When new girl Suze joins the class, in her shiny red wheelchair and helmet, Tyson notices how her eyes are drawn to his picture of a red race car and how interested she is in his books about fast jets and cheetahs. But, though he repeatedly volunteers to walk with her at recess, the teacher continues to pick others who either ignore her or put her to sleep. 

From Fast Friends by Heather M. O'Connor, illus. by Claudia Dávila

When Tyson sees Suze being raced to the playground with her older sister and taking delight in their fast play, Tyson knows how to bring out Suze's laughter and joy at school, if just given the opportunity.

From Fast Friends by Heather M. O'Connor, illus. by Claudia Dávila

Though the reading level for Fast Friends might direct this picture book to children of ages 3-8, I think it's really one for all ages. It's for adults who disregard those children who are far too active for quiet activities. Moreover, though we must always ensure that play and learning and fun should never put anyone at risk, we don't always need to treat children with special needs as fragile or something other than children. Fast Friends is also for children who are excluded from activities because they don't recognize how they might be perceived. Tyson doesn't see that his actions are impacting others and can't connect his recess solitude with those circumstances. Most of all, the story is for everyone to recognize that all children are different, in their play and their learning, and placing preconceived ideas about what constitutes safe or effective play and learning does a disservice to all.

Heather M. O'Connor captured my attention with her gripping hi-lo novel Betting Game (Orca, 2015) about sports betting in soccer. In Fast Friends, she also deals with a seldom-discussed issue, the subtle discrimination of both hyper children and those with special needs. Most people, adults and children both, would never intend to exclude or negate the needs of these children but it happens thoughtlessly, though with the objective of protecting children. Still Heather M. O'Connor's words tell the story without condemnation or judgment, only emphasizing Tyson's recognition of what Suze enjoys. In fact, Claudia Dávila's art fills in the blanks for young readers, giving them opportunities to practise their visual literacy skills. Do they notice the titles of the books Tyson is reading and sharing with Suze? Can they read the expressions on the faces of Tyson and Suze and their classmates and teachers? How does Claudia Dávila demonstrate how fast Tyson likes to move? The blend of subtle text with bold art will draw young readers to the story and help them learn that fast friends may come from immediate connections as well as some speedy action.

From Fast Friends by Heather M. O'Connor, illus. by Claudia Dávila