Pistes d'exploration

Discuss what it means to be unique. Research information about Down Syndrome. Share your findings with the class.

Talk about how JimBud behaved with Eddie and how Christy behaved with him. Why do you think they behaved as they did? 

Write in your journal about someone in your life who is beautiful on the inside, and write what you appreciate about them.

Talk about Down Syndrome before reading the book.

Discuss examples that show how JimBud and Christy treated Eddie Lee. Why did Christy’s mother ask her to be kind to Eddie Lee? Why did Christy call Eddie Lee a genius? 

Write the story from Eddie Lee’s point of view.

Thank You, Mr. Falker, The Invisible Boy, My Name Is Blessing, How to Heal a Broken Wing, Pay It Forward Kids: Small Acts, Big Changes

Mots-clés

Picture book , bullying , cooperation , country life , Down syndrome , empathy , friendship , kindness , people with special needs

Commentaire descriptif

Christy and her neighbourhood pal JimBud consider Eddie Lee, a boy with Down syndrome, to be a pest. Excluding him, they head to the woods to look for frog eggs but Eddie Lee follows them and later shares his special knowledge about nature with Christy. Throughout the story, Christy’s conscience echoes with her mother’s words about being kind to Eddie Lee, while JimBud callously and repeatedly pushes him away. Realistic dialogue and luminous, full-bleed illustrations of fields and ponds in gentle hues recreate the frustration of the lonely outsider with a sunny summer ahead but no one to play with. In a final poignant scene, Christy’s reflection in the rippling water makes her look funny. Eddie, in a message of unconditional friendship, points to his heart and explains “It’s what’s here that counts.” As a read-aloud, this sensitive portrait of a special needs child could spark an interesting discussion on the advantages of openness and cooperation; how each one of us brings something unique and special to the world.