Heart-Shaped Friendship

by Andréa Barros, John Matthew Fox (Editor), Thalita Dol (Illustrator)

Overview

Featured on Kirkus Reviews'  Best Indie Books of 2020! 

Heart-Shaped Friendship tells the story of two girls, Summy- who has trisomy 21 (Down syndrome)- and Hope. 

 

While Hope's trying her best to win a challenge at school, she is under pressure and frustrated.

One day, an unexpected event comes to give her all the strength she needs. Guided by LOVE, Hope overcomes her own limitations and values more her friendship with Summy.

 

Through a heart-warming journey, children learn about empathy, acceptance and love.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781777125929
Publisher:	Andrea Barros
Publication date:	06/20/2020
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	42
File size:	85 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

About the Author

Andréa Barros grew up in Recife, Brazil, and lived in Australia and Germany before moving to Vancouver. Parachuting, working on a crocodile farm, and swimming in dangerous waters with husband-to-be set her up for the most fulfilling adventure in life - raising her daughters Skye and Summer. As a mother of a child with trisomy 21/ Down syndrome, she learned everything is possible when you let LOVE guide your life. Andréa believes experiences must be shared to help others, and this book is just the beginning of a beautiful journey. Stay connected @andreabarros.author
John Matthew Fox has published in Crazyhorse, Third Coast, Shenandoah, and the Chicago Tribune. He provides editing services and resources for writers at the literary blog Bookfox, which has received mentions from The Guardian, Los Angeles Times, Publisher's Weekly, and The Huffington Post. He earned an MFA from the University of Southern California and an MA from New York University, but after teaching at the collegiate level for a decade, he decided to focus on Bookfox full time. After traveling to more than forty countries and living in three, he has settled down in Orange County, California, with his wife, twin boys, and six chickens.

Editorial Reviews

"A winning story of acceptance and love, especially for those who are different." - Kirkus Reviews

A child discovers that friendship can overcome the challenges of language and differing abilities in this debut picture book.

Hope, excited about the first day of school, is startled by a collision with a girl on a scooter. The rider, Summy, says, "Ooo... Eee...," which her mother explains means "Sorry." Hope finds out that Summy has trouble learning words. Their teacher devises a task. Each student will teach Summy one word, and then the class will have a Popsicle party. Because Hope and Summy love hearts, Hope decides to teach the word heart, but no technique works. When Summy overhears a conversation between Hope and a classmate, who says dismissively, "My parents told me everything about kids like her," Summy's feelings are hurt. After Hope rescues Summy, who's stuck on a climbing wall, she apologizes for hurting the girl's feelings. Summy then explains what heart means to her: love. Barros' straightforward narrative style is from Hope's point of view; the vocabulary is accessible to early elementary school readers. Although Barros never explains the reason for Summy's difficulties, the descriptions of her eyes and speech-as well as a note that the author has a child with Trisomy 21-indicates that Summy has the syndrome. Hope's understanding and love for Summy, despite the prejudices of others, are a wonderful model of acceptance of those with different abilities. Dol's beautifully detailed cartoon illustrations feature a diverse group of students.

From the Publisher