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What Happened to You?

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( 1,115 ratings, 235 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
What Happened to You? by James Catchpole is a heartwarming children's book that introduces readers to a boy named Joe, who navigates a playground full of curious kids asking questions about why he has one leg. Instead of explaining his difference, Joe uses creative and imaginative strategies to engage his new friends in play, inviting readers to explore themes of curiosity, acceptance, and identity.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$1899
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this children's book if you appreciate stories that gently tackle the topic of disability and difference with warmth and humour. It presents an imaginative exploration of curiosity about others, encouraging empathy and acceptance through an engaging and relatable narrative.

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What Happened to You?

A ground-breaking picture book with a radical message about how a disabled person might want to be spoken to!

A celebratory edition of a ground-breaking picture book with a radical message about how a disabled person might want to be spoken to!

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description
What happened to you? Was it a shark? A burglar? A lion? Did it fall off?

Every time Joe goes out the questions are the same . . . what happened to his leg? But is this even a question Joe has to answer?

A ground-breaking, funny story that helps children understand what it might feel like to be seen as different.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Reviews praise What Happened to You? as a groundbreaking and revolutionary children's book. It effectively opens up conversations about disability through empathy, helping nondisabled individuals understand the experiences of disabled children. The book features beautifully characterful illustrations paired with child-friendly text that promotes inclusivity and shared imagination, making it both delightful and important for readers of all ages.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780571358311

Publisher: Faber & Faber

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 01 April 2021

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Faber & Faber

Edition: Main - Re-issue

Contributors:

  • Illustrated by Karen George
  • Illustrated by Karen George

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 250.0mm

Width: 250.0mm

Height: 5.0mm

Weight: 205g

Pages: 32

About the Author

James Catchpole was destined to be either an itinerant singer or an amputee footballer. He managed to get off the substitutes' bench a couple of times for the England Amputee Football Team, and also busked around Provence with a guitar (another profession where it actively helps to have one leg), but reached the limits of his talent in both fields by his mid-twenties, and so joined the family business of children's books. He now runs The Catchpole Agency with his wife Lucy, and represents authors and illustrators of children's picture books, non-fiction and novels, including Polly Dunbar, SF Said, Michelle Robinson and David Lucas. Lucy and James live in Oxford with their two young daughters, the eldest of whom is firmly convinced she will be joining the business too - but at five, she has plenty of time to recant.

Karen George has spent A LOT of time drawing and painting. When she was small that's what she liked doing best.When she was a little older, Karen gained a first class honours degree in Fine Art followed by an MA from The Royal College of Art. Karen painted film sets for a while until, in 2009, she won Waterstone's 'Picture This' competition to illustrate Freddie and the Fairy for Julia Donaldson. This means Karen still joyfully spends lots of time drawing and painting . . . and now she writes too! Karen lives in Bristol with her family and Dr Calamari the cat.

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