There’s a presumption – a very widespread, deeply rooted one – that disabled people should be grateful for anything we get. Whether that’s tech or a new tap, representation in books, or a new wheelchair. When we’re used to seeing disabled people in the context of charity, is it surprising if that affects the wayContinue reading “Try treating disabled customers as customers, world? Just a thought.”
Tag Archives: disability
What Happened to You? A cover reveal
This is me. A few years ago admittedly! I’m an agent for kids’ books – I edit & sell my authors’ stories, & had no plans to write one myself. But I’m also disabled & keenly aware of how few good books there are about disabled children. So eventually, I bit the bullet & wroteContinue reading “What Happened to You? A cover reveal”
Disability in kids books – a list by two disabled people in publishing
Introducing our 6 favourite kids’ books featuring disability, picked by actual disabled people working in children’s publishing. (Ahem. Us.) We’ll be posting a full review of each of these books weekly here and on instagram – watch this space. Own voices books are marked * El Deafo * Mama Zooms This Beach Is Loud! *Continue reading “Disability in kids books – a list by two disabled people in publishing”
Trapped – With and Without Covid-19
When I first became disabled aged 19 in 1998 it wasn’t too bad – as a disabled driver I could get to most of the city. Since then more and more of Oxford has been made off-limits to cars. And so, to me. Trying to explain to able-bodied people can be frustrating and upsetting. Honestly, I’ve stopped trying on the whole. There’s a reluctance to believe it’s true. They want details, make suggestions, refuse to believe there aren’t solutions.
Health & morality in the time of corona (exercise is good, except when it isn’t…)
My mother, a devout Catholic, used to say health is the new morality. I am not religious but I think that’s true. We applaud and idolise health as though it is attainable for everyone, as though it is a moral triumph, as though it is something we control. Fresh air is good, eating fresh foodContinue reading “Health & morality in the time of corona (exercise is good, except when it isn’t…)”
Isaac from Sex Education and the Good Old Disabled Baddie
Oh Sex Education, you were doing so well. And then you thought – we are nailing diversity! But what about disability? Let’s do that too! And somehow it seemed like a great idea to create a disabled character who is sexless, child-like and manipulative. And to make that character responsible for an end of seriesContinue reading “Isaac from Sex Education and the Good Old Disabled Baddie”
James has written a book…
It’s a picturebook for little ones called What Happened to You? It’s illustrated by Karen George and it’ll be published by Faber in August this year. We’ll have more information up here in March, before the book heads off to the Bologna bookfair in search of foreign publishing partners. But for now, here’s Faber’s blurbContinue reading “James has written a book…”
