My Extraordinary Face: A Celebration of Differences

PreS-Gr 2–The audiobook—thoughtfully, reassuringly read by Johnson—is most effective as a supplement to print. In an example of “a picture is worth a thousand words,” Violet Tobacco’s vibrant illustrations immediately reveal the “extraordinary” qualities of the faces highlighted here, including a prominent birthmark, cleft lip, and more. The text is full of soothing affirmations, but the aural outcome is considerably more general: “Every face is special. Your face is one of a kind.” Indications of potential negative interactions are implied rather than intuitively obvious as seen on the page. Bolstered by their own experiences working with children with facial differences, doctors Suchyta and Mardini offer realistic tools for self-care and self-advocacy in a world where kindness can be too rare. Their detailed caregivers’ addendum—with useful, practical tactics (including role-play)—is a valuable bonus.