For children, picture books can be a good way to teach an important lesson. Picture books can use illustrations, rhyming and repetition to get a message across, creating a great teaching tool for young readers and listeners.
Haddonfield author and resident Traci Dunham tries to always have a lesson in her children’s books. Recently, Dunham came out with her new book, “My Sister Lulu and Me,” about the relationship between two sisters, one with a disability. She hopes the book brings up conversations about those with disabilities at a young age to teach acceptance and that everyone is unique. The book is geared toward children in preschool through fourth grade.
Since she was young, Dunham always liked writing. However, it was due to her daughter Caroline that she started writing children’s books. Caroline was born with a partial trisomy 18, an abnormality in chromosome 18 that can impact an individual’s health and development. It is through children’s books that Dunham is able to make a connection with Caroline, by reading and having her respond, which are times Dunham loves.
Inspired by her daughter, Dunham’s most recent books are about inner beauty and acceptance.
“I love that I can write and have a message to young children, and to be able to do it through pictures and words,” Dunham said.
Dunham’s first book, “The Oyster’s Secret,” was a big success, being named a №1 best seller on Amazon.com. She has gone to schools, libraries and book stores to talk about her book and its message about inner beauty.
Her new book, “My Sister Lulu and Me,” out this month, is about two sisters travelling through everyday life with the message of acceptance and uniqueness. As Dunham felt there was a lack of children’s books about disabilities, she decided to write this book, hoping to start teaching children about disabilities at a young age.
“There are not a lot of books for kids of younger age about children with disabilities, so that is something I really wanted to get out there. I wanted to give the message that it is OK; there is nothing to be afraid of. Everyone is unique and everyone is uniquely special, that is what I wanted to bring out with this book. The education is really important, and a lot of parents don’t know how to talk to their children about disabilities,” Dunham said.
In the book, Dunham doesn’t come right out and say Lulu has a disability or any specific disability. Instead, throughout the book, she leaves subtle hints with the illustrations and words. Lulu is seen in a handicap swing, a stroller for kids with disabilities and going to a bus with a handicap sign on it. Lulu is also shown to have certain behaviors commonly seen in those with disabilities such as not speaking or only being able to say certain words, making funny noises when happy and not liking certain foods. Dunham did this so the adult reader could talk to the children about others with disabilities and create understanding.
“I make subtle hints throughout the book that there is something not quite right with her. I do this so that parents can have the conversation, and children can ask questions to create a dialogue about disabilities,” Dunham said.
The book was not only inspired by her daughter Caroline, but also the relationship between her and her other daughter Paige. Growing up, both sisters were close. She wanted to highlight their relationship at that time and how anyone can be accepted.
“Paige grew up with her sister having a disability, and it never phased her. I wanted to bring out the relationship between the two of them and show that if it is OK with her, then it is OK with everybody else,” Dunham said.
For “My Sister Lulu and Me,” a portion of the proceeds are going toward the Chromosome 18 Registry & Research Society, an organization for parents across the country who have children with chromosome 18 abnormalities. As it is not a common chromosome disorder, there is not a lot of research done as of yet.
“It’s something I’m very happy to do with this book, and just to bring the Chromosome 18 Society to light,” Dunham said. “The response has been great. I’m so happy how everyone in the community has supported me. People can’t wait for it to come out.”
Both of her books can be ordered through Dunham’s publishing company TAD Books’ website at www.tadbooks.com or Amazon.com. Books will also be available at local book stores.
Dunham is working on another children’s book about being afraid of the dark and collaborating with fellow author Kate Butler on a picture book series about the American flag and the history of the 50 states.
