I received a free review copy of Like Me so I could check it out and spread the word about it, and I'm so excited! Book links are affiliate links which means your price stays the same, but I get a tiny chunk of Amazon's profits if you choose to buy.
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If you've been around here long, you may already know that I have a super cool son with Down syndrome and that I adore reviewing books from fellow Midwesterners, especially picture books. So when I heard about Laura Wifler's new book about kids with special needs, I knew I needed to check it out.
Laura Wifler is a writer from central Iowa who founded Risen Motherhood with her sister-in-law Emily to "help moms connect their faith with their motherhood." Through Risen Motherhood, Wifler reaches hundreds of thousands of women around the state, the nation, and the world with her inspiring messages for moms on social media, on the Risen Motherhood podcast, and in her Risen Motherhood book. Wifler's author website is LauraWifler.com.
Wifler is a mom of three kids, and previously wrote a picture book about prayer Any Time, Any Place, Any Prayer. One of Wifler's kids has special needs, and as she became immersed in the world of parenting a child with special needs, she felt a calling to write another children's book--one about disabilities and the idea that all are created in God's image. From this emerged Like Me.
When our review copy came, my son was excited and so was I. 
The book is told from the perspective of a boy who has a younger brother with special needs, who narrates his day with his family. The "like me" in the story is that narrator showing how his brother is like him (the brother with special needs in this story is non-verbal.) I really liked how Wifler incorporated a variety of activities that are "normal" for all families, like playtime, sledding, and eating a family meal, but also things that are "normal" for families with a kid with special needs like physical therapy.
And I honestly appreciated that she included a scene in which the character with special needs destroys his sibling's blanket/pillow fort and throws a toy. So often I feel like there's a push to be 100% positive in discussing people with special needs in the context of inclusion, like if we acknowledge the frustrating behaviors people won't be willing to accept our kids anymore. But the reality is that there often are frustrating behaviors...and those behaviors don't diminish the value of that person or that they should be included and loved. I liked how it was handled in the book; the mom did not just ignore the behavior and excuse it away, but stopped it, redirected the child with special needs and had him apologize, and only after all that reminded the sibling to keep it in perspective. I think that's a great balance.
And I honestly appreciated that she included a scene in which the character with special needs destroys his sibling's blanket/pillow fort and throws a toy. So often I feel like there's a push to be 100% positive in discussing people with special needs in the context of inclusion, like if we acknowledge the frustrating behaviors people won't be willing to accept our kids anymore. But the reality is that there often are frustrating behaviors...and those behaviors don't diminish the value of that person or that they should be included and loved. I liked how it was handled in the book; the mom did not just ignore the behavior and excuse it away, but stopped it, redirected the child with special needs and had him apologize, and only after all that reminded the sibling to keep it in perspective. I think that's a great balance.
Wifler's book is definitely from a Christian perspective, and specifically one that espouses belief in imago dei, that is, the idea that all people are created in God's image and have immense, inherent, and equal value because of it. So I think it's important to know that up front. If that isn't an idea you want your children to read about, this is not the right book for you.
I feel like this book is an excellent addition to the library of any family who is open to teaching their kids more about inclusion and kids with special needs from that Christian perspective, and frankly, I find it extremely validating for siblings of kids with special needs who may be grappling with that balance of being frustrated with the more challenging behaviors exhibited by kids with special needs while also loving them unconditionally and usually loving playing with them. Those things aren't incompatible, and I love that Wifler is sharing that message with kids!
My favorite part of the book though was just seeing it normalized for kids with special needs and disabilities to be playing and doing everyday things alongside their peers. The sledding was the cutest!
I do recommend this book for families of kids with special needs, and families who have kids with special needs and disabilities in their extended families or church or school communities, and I think it belongs in every church library for sure!
And I can't wait to see what Wifler comes up with next.
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