Hide and Shh!: A Not-So-Sneaky Sister Story About Inclusion

by Christina Dendy, Nathalia Takeyama (Illustrator)

Overview

Dinah, a young girl with Down Syndrome, loves to play games with her older sister, Chloe, but she’s not very good at the still and quiet kind. When her not-so-sneaky efforts to get into the big kids’ game backfire, Dinah realizes she might need to adapt a few of her own behaviors. In the process, she shows Chloe and her friends that there’s more than one way to play.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798985805130
Publisher:	Cardinal Rule Press
Publication date:	04/01/2023
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	649,242
Product dimensions:	7.25(w) x 10.25(h) x 0.10(d)
Age Range:	5 - 7 Years

About the Author

Christina Dendy is an American author with a wide range of experience in the K-12 educational market, particularly in the social sciences. Her published works include the picture books Hide and Shhh and The Wall and the Wild. She loves just about anything that involves exploration, on or off the printed page, and regularly tumbles down rabbit holes of one sort or another. When not writing or reading, Christina can be found meandering about Dayton, Ohio, with her tallish hobbit husband, three impish children, and a few finicky furry friends. Nathalia Takeyama was born in São Paulo, Brazil. Being half Japanese, half Brazilian she grew up surrounded by two beautiful cultures that inspire her every day. She loved to draw since she was a little kid so she went to college to pursue her dreams and majored in Animation Design. Nathalia works mainly in digital media, with a love for texture, colorful palettes, and diverse characters. You can find her reading a book, watching a movie, taking her adopted dog—Lucy—for a walk, daydreaming, and doodling away fun ideas.

Editorial Reviews

06/26/2023

After waiting all week for her sister Chloe to play with her, Dinah, a child with Down Syndrome, is disappointed when Chloe goes to play outside with her friends and not her. They’re playing sneaky spy games, but Dinah wants to play with her animal cards, and her attempt at playing the big kids’ way leaves everyone feeling frustrated. Written with care and illustrated in a joyful and bright color palette, Hide and Shh! shows readers how to include everyone in having fun, even if that involves minor adjustments. This is an excellent starting point for discussing inclusion as a concept or seeing accommodations in action, sure to find a home on any bookshelf.

Dinah is a rambunctious, joyful character who readers can’t help but root for, and Chloe is a true older sister, getting frustrated at times but ultimately meeting her sister where she’s at and everyone having fun in the end. With a simple premise and quick moving plot, Hide and Shh! will keep readers engaged and having fun, all while learning more about inclusivity and how small changes can make a big difference. Resources for further information on DS, as well as guided reading questions to prompt conversation, can be found at the end of the book.

Most important, however, is seeing Dinah living authentically throughout the narrative, and having American Sign Language scattered throughout the pages—which is mentioned as being a useful tool for folks living with DS because they sometimes struggle to speak clearly—offers greater representation for a variety of communities. Small details such as these (and the ASL card illustrations) make an affirming environment for readers living with DS and an informative environment for those unfamiliar with the syndrome. Bursting with heart and compassion, the charming and informative read provides a small look at sibling dynamics and making accommodations for those that need them.

Takeaway: A thoughtful and joyful look at inclusion, sibling dynamics, and Down Syndrome.

Comparable Titles: Lynn Plourde’s Best Buddies, Justine Greene’s Completely Toby.

Production grades Cover: A- Design and typography: A- Illustrations: A Editing: A Marketing copy: A

BookLife Reviews