Jessica's Box

On her first day at a new school, Jessica (who happens to use a wheelchair) brings a teddy bear in a box, and the other kids laugh (or walk away). By the fourth day, discouraged Jessica puts the box over her head--and becomes friends with a boy who thinks she's playing around. A straightforward story and simple mixed-media illustrations are strengths of this Australian import.

It’s a well-known scenario: young girl struggles to make friends at new school. But what makes this Australian import especially notable is the fact that the young girl in question, Jessica, uses a wheelchair. Hoping to initiate conversation on her first day, Jessica brings a box to school -- but when she pulls a teddy bear out, the other kids laugh (or walk away). The next day Jessica brings cupcakes, and the day after that her dog, who is quickly whisked off by the school groundskeeper. Nothing works. Discouraged, Jessica heads to school on the fourth day with the box over her head -- and becomes fast friends with a boy who, thinking she is playing around, engages Jessica in a game of hide-and-seek. Jessica’s Box was a Children’s Book Council of Australia Notable Book upon its release in 2008, but in that iteration the young protagonist was not disabled. This new version is supported by the Cerebral Palsy Alliance of Australia -- and it is worth noting that the text remains unchanged from the original. The solidly straightforward story arc, simple mixed-media illustrations, effective use of color, and ample white space are all strengths. Jessica’s wheelchair is neither hidden in the background nor made star of the show: it is what it is, and Jessica finds -- as do all children -- that she can make friends just by being herself. sam bloom