The Princess Panda Tea Party: A Cerebral Palsy Fairy Tale

by Jewel Kats, Richa Kinra (Illustrator)

Overview

An enchanting story which shows girls that grace and courage come from within
Michelle, age eight, has cerebral palsy and lives at an all-girls orphanage. She is often openly mocked by the other girls because of her need to use a walker for mobility. One day, she spends her hard-earned change for a toy stuffed panda at the local Salvation Army store. When opportunity strikes for the orphanage girls to compete, in manners and deportment, for the privilege of tea with the Queen of England, Michelle's enchanted panda comes to life and her world will never be the same! Readers of this story will

Gain an appreciation for people with disabilities

Discover the courage to go after their dreams

Learn how to treat guests with courtesy and warmth

See how preparation and practice are the keys to success

Learn the power of affirmations

Understand how generosity can change the world.

Praise for The Princess Panda Tea Party
"All children deserve a story they can picture themselves in, and the Princess Panda Tea Party is that story. This is not only a fairy tale for those with Cerebral Palsy, but also a reminder that everyone, regardless of ability, can harness their own amazing powers."
--Lindsey Wiltse, Communications and Program Coordinator, Children's Neurobiological Solutions

"In this moving and modern twist on an old fairytale, Jewel Kats takes us on a journey of endurance, acceptance, and strength. Putting her disability aside, Michelle finds a way to shine in an inspiring way."
--Shaila Abdullah, author of My Friend Suhana: A Story of Friendship and Cerebral Palsy

"The Princess Panda Tea Party weaves together the emotional pain of children faced with being different and the magical hopefulness of finding a way to step outside one's physical limitations and soar as a person. A good read for adults and children regardless of their position in life."
Rick Ritter, MSW, author of Coping with Physical Loss and Disability

Learn more at www.JewelKats.com
Book #4 in the Fairy Ability Tales Series at Loving Healing Press
Juvenile Fiction: Social Issues - Special Needs

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781615992195
Publisher:	Loving Healing Press
Publication date:	05/20/2014
Series:	Fairy Ability Tales
Pages:	52
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.11(d)
Lexile:	710L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Jewel Kats (1978 - 2016) is best known as an award-winning children's author of twelve books, eight of which are about disabilities. She is the writer and creator of the "Fairy Ability Tales" series. She penned fairytales, both classical and/or original, with their child protagonists having a disability or chronic illness. Talk about fun and unique!Many of Jewel's readers also know her as the real-life inspiration behind "Archie Comics" character, Harper Lodge. Harper is the cousin of Jewel's idol, Veronica Lodge, and the first-ever character to have a disability.Jewel Kats celebrated her disability and remained comfortable and proud in her unique skin. She was called a Toronto dignitary and asked to help carry the PASO flag at the Pan-American Olympic Games. She wheeled across the stadium on July 2015, during the opening ceremonies, alongside other dignitaries like Rick Hansen and Michael "Pinball" Clemons. She won the 2015 Anokhi award, given to Canadian South Asian prolific talent, for "Crusader of the Year for People with Disabilities". On December 30, 2014, she was named a "hero" by The Toronto Star on their year-round list of eight individuals. She appeared on all sorts of media channels including: CBC's "The National", CBC's local Toronto news, "Global National", CBC's "Metro Morning", CTV's national news, City TV, Buffalo's WKBW-TV evening news, "The Buffalo News", AMI "This Week" and "Accessibility in Action", on seventeen CBC radio stations coast-to-coast, etc. She also had the honor of being a front page cover story for The Toronto Star, and as their front page cover story in their "Life" section for her children's books. The Museum of disABILITY History in the U.S.A. celebrated her work with a two-day event in 2013.Jewel Kats won all sorts of awards for her books as well, including: two Mom's Choice silver medals, a gold medal from Gelett Burgess Children's Book Awards, a bronze medal from IPPY awards, etc. She earned two scholarships while in school. She took home a $15,000 journalism scholarship from Global TV, and went on to intern in their "Entertainment Tonight Canada" studio. She also earned a $5,000 U.S. scholarship from popular women's book publisher Harlequin Enterprises. In the past, Jewel worked as an internationally syndicated youth advice columnist for "Scripps Howard News Service" in the States, and also "The Halifax Chronicle Herald". Additionally, she's had a background in live performances by working in numerous theatrical shows.Jewel Kats lived every day with her motto: "Reach for the stars-even if you have to grab onto them differently".

Read an Excerpt

CHAPTER 1

Michelle stood with her walker staring. She'd come to peer at this plush toy over-and-over again at the Salvation Army. Michelle had always feared some other child would take this gem of a stuffed bear home sooner than she.

For this Panda Bear Princess was magnificent.

Her diamond tiara sparkled and twinkled.

Her gently-used silk and taffeta dress held the scent of importance.

Even Panda Bear Princess' paws wore pink sparkly high-heel shoes.

At long last, Michelle was here to claim what she'd been waiting for ever so patiently!

Before even daring to touch Panda Bear Princess' toy box, Michelle patted the loose coins in her pocket. Memory told her she had just enough. Michelle let out a sigh of relief. She then gingerly reached for Panda Bear Princess and tucked the toy box into her steel walker's cloth pocket. With rehearsed steps, Michelle paid for her new and only friend at the cash register. Michelle returned home to her all-girl's orphanage. She was eager to take Panda Bear Princess out of her toy box. As Michelle headed to her accessible bedroom — the only room of its kind in the old red-brick building — she and her walker were stopped in their tracks.

The head mistress, Mrs. Goldsmith, towered over Michelle's eight-year-old rigid frame.

"Stop right there, young lady. Head over to the dining hall right this instant."

Never one to argue, Michelle did as she was asked without saying a peep. All the while, questions about what was going on bubbled through her mind's eye.

Michelle heard a lot of noise coming from the dining hall. Her stomach twisted. She didn't want to see the other girls at the orphanage one bit.

Big, blonde Josephine greeted Michelle at the dining hall entrance door.

The older girl peered at Michelle with ice-cold aqua eyes. "Well, well, look who it is, everyone! Our very own grandmother in residence: Michelle and her unsightly walker!"

Michelle's thin fingers held onto her mobility device extra tight. She could hear laughter pouring out of the room. She continued to walk ahead. Little beads of sweat boiled to the surface upon Michelle's forehead.

Mrs. Goldsmith was already seated inside the dining hall. Even at age fifty, she walked quicker than Michelle.

"Cut it out, Josephine!" Mrs. Goldsmith said loud and clear. "That behavior isn't acceptable. You know Michelle uses a walker because of cerebral palsy."

Sure the laughter had stopped, but Michelle could feel everyone staring at her. She decided to take a seat at the dining table. The ancient table had seen better days. The room was filled with girls from ages five to fifteen. Tension filled the air.

(Continues…)

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Excerpted from "The Princess Panda Tea Party"
by .
Copyright © 2014 Jewel Kats.
Excerpted by permission of Loving Healing Press, Inc..
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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