Susan Laughs

Susan Laughs is a great, non-cheesy, non-preachy picture book about a red-headed little girl who is irrepressible, creative and active. Not until the last page is it revealed that Susan is in a wheelchair and “that is Susan through and through- just like me, just like you.” British team Jeanne Willis and Tony Ross have created a picture book where the text and pictures marry seamlessly. For fans of Olivia, Madeline or David this will be a fun addition to their libraries. In a vignette where Susan is sometimes shy and sometimes loud, “Susan’s angry, Susan’s proud” our heroine is first hiding quietly beneath the drapes, then startling the cat, followed by a scowl as the cat has made his displeasure known by scratching her show more face, then a peaceful smile as she sports a new set of band-aids on each cheek.

This book is suitable for story times and belongs in classrooms as well. The singsong words and humorous pencil and crayon art set a light, joyous tone that will create a comfortable entry point for discussing disabilities. But this book could also be used with no discussion, or in story times about discussing feelings or daily life. For librarians some more subtle lessons can also be taken from this text: do not view disabled patrons based on what you believe they can not do, do not treat these patrons as a disability rather than a person, enable access to not only all areas of your library but all services and programs so that you are providing an experience of seamless inclusion, like what Susan’s friends and family offer in this book. In Reference and Information Services: An Introduction Frances F. Jacobson and Ellen D. Sutton point out that service to all“encompasses individuals with a variety of needs” and that developing library services “for specific populations within our society is an essential corollary to developing services to the majority.” Furthermore “service to specific populations is an ethical as well as legal” obligation and that we should not only provide service without discrimination but “be advocates for members of these groups to ensure them equitable access to information and materials. “ I would argue that in presenting programs and readers advisory to the public, our knowledge and use of excellent materials such as Susan Laughs help speak to both inclusion and the performance of a form of advocacy through educating readers.

Willis, Jeanne. Susan Laughs. Illus. by Tony Ross. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 1999. Print.

Bopp, Richard E. and Smith, Linda C. Reference and Information Services: An Introduction. Englewood, Colorado: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2001. Print. show less

Susan is a little girl who makes the most of every day, playing and laughing, and having fun. It's not until the end that we find out that Susan requires a wheelchair to get around. This is so important for children, as they can see even though we are all different, we are also very similar. This book has very little words, so it would be great for a child who is just starting to read, while also teaching them a lesson about those with disabilities.

"Susan Laughs" is a heartwarming tale of a young girl in a wheelchair. The story shows that Susan can do anything despite her physical challenges. She is no different from any other child. I really liked reading this book because it shows children that people with a disability are not so different after all. Susan can laugh, sing, ride and swing just like you and me.

I loved this book. It was the story of Susan living a life like everyone else. She experiences average things but you would never know she was handicap. You find out at the end she is in a wheelchair and this shows the importance of not defining someone with a disability as different. They are people too.

Susan Laughs is a deceptive book, one that takes the reader by surprise. The book is simply listing off things Susan does; such laugh, cry, play, and be a normal kid. It is then revealed that Susan is in a wheelchair, but that does not make her any different from anyone else. The message is plain and clear, just because someone has a disability does not mean they are lesser or different. The illustrations really play into this message as every page manages to hide her being in a wheelchair. Until the very last page when it is revealed to the reader, it comes as a surprise otherwise the reader would never know she had a disability. Susan Laughs is an excellent book, with a beautiful moral, and creative use of illustrations just to let show more the reader know Susan laughs just like me and you. show less

This book is about a little girl Susan, who is in a wheel chair. The reader does not know that until the last page of the book. Children can really see how "normal" Susan is, or how similar she is to boys and girls her age. Just like everyone else, Susan laughs, gets happy and sad; she plays, can be shy, can be loud, gets scared, gets mad.... It is a very sweet book that should be read by every child. Illustrations by Tony Ross are filled with love, warmth and exciting splendor of childhood. I definitely recommend this book.

Willis writes the story of a girl doing daily activities that children do. Not once in the story does she say anything about her disability until it's revealed at the end that she in handicap. I think it's brilliant that she waits until the end to provide the detail of her disability, showing that Susan is just like everyone else and can do all the things those without disabilities can. Being handicap doesn't define her. Willis promotes positive images of her with her disability, showing her strengths and abilities along with her disability.