Susan Laughs

by Jeanne Willis, Tony Ross

Susan laughs, she sings. she rides, she swings.
She gets angry, she gets sad, she is good, she is bad...

Told in rhyme, this story follows Susan through a series of familiar activities. She swims with her father, works hard in school, plays with her friends -- and even rides a horse. Lively, thoughtfully drawn illustrations reveal a portrait of a busy, happy little girl with whom younger readers will identify. Not until the end of the story is it revealed that Susan uses a wheelchair.

Told with insight, and without sentimentality, here is an inspiring look at one spunky little girl whose physical disability is never seen as a handicap.

Genres: Picture Books, Disability, Childrens, Poetry, Realistic Fiction, Cultural, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

Published September 1, 2000

About the author

Jeanne Willis was born in St Albans and trained as an advertising copywriter at Watford College. She worked for various agencies creating press adverts and TV, cinema and radio commercials. She is now a full-time writer and has published over 80 books. Her hobbies include gardening, reading (non-fiction), natural history and collecting caterpillars. Jeanne has also worked on scripts for TV, including POLLY POCKET and THE SLOW NORRIS, and a pilot TV series for DR XARGLE. She lives in North London with her husband and two children.

Reviews

[Kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the idea behind this, demonstrating that a little girl with physical challenges is just a kid. But I really didn't like the illustrations. The one of Susan's dad yelling at her would have scared the bejeesus out of me as a kid, and I don't like the "Susan's bad" line. I mean, it's countered, but I just don't like that in kids' books.

[Jonathan Fowle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Susan is the same as any other child, she laughs, sings, swings on trees, has same emotions and feelings as anyone else, gets into trouble and plays sport. At the end of the book, the readers find out that Susan is in a wheelchair, but she can still do the same things as anyone else.

The book explores what Susan can do, not what she cannot do and the book really emphasises the message that disabled children are just the same as anyone else. The book can be used to encourage and motivate disabled children that they can do the same things as their able bodied classmates. It also reinforces to children not to treat anyone differently. This a good book for PSHE and can be used to discuss attitudes to disabled people and our own strengths and weaknesses. I feel this is a book that can be used in any key stage as a discussion of ability and disability. It is a picture book with very few words and I do feel it could have carried more of a story, however, the book will make children think differently about those in wheelchairs. It carries a positive attitude with bright, fun illustrations that the children will enjoy.

[Maritina Mela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Το συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο, θυμάμαι μας το είχαν αναφέρει σαν παράδειγμα της δύναμης/επιρροής/σημαντικότητας που έχει η εικονογράφηση ενός παιδικού βιβλίου (ναι, κάναμε και τέτοια στο ΤΕΑΠΗ 🤗) και θυμάμαι ότι είχα πάθει ένα μικρό κοκομπλόκο με την ανατροπή στο τέλος.
Ούτε ταινία του Σιάμαλαν να ήταν 😝

Σε μια αναζήτησή μου λοιπόν, να βρω ένα παιδικό βιβλίο που να μού αρέσει, για την κινητική αναπηρία, το επισκέφθηκα ξανά.

Πρόκειται για ένα πολύ αξιόλογο και συμπαθητικό έργο, με πολύ χαριτωμένη εικονογράφηση, που πετυχαίνει με ακρίβεια το στόχο του. Ο οποίος είναι να δείξει στον αναγνώστη, κάτι που θα έπρεπε να είναι αυτονόητο.
Ότι τα άτομα με κινητικές αναπηρίες, δεν υπολείπονται σε κάτι, σε σχέση με άτομα που δεν έχουν αυτή την ιδιαιτερότητα. Κι αυτά έχουν τα ίδια συναισθήματα, φόβους, θέλω και μπορούν να ζήσουν εξίσου ''γεμάτες'' ζωές, ακόμα κι αν χρειάζονται καροτσάκι για να μετακινηθούν.

Θεωρώ ότι είναι ένα αρκετά δυνατό conversation starter πάνω σε αυτό το θέμα, ακόμα κι αν σαν ιστορία, δεν έχει μπόλικο "ζουμί" .

If you made it this far, congratulations!
'Til next time, take care :) :) :)

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good way to introduce young children to the importance of inclusion and diversity. Shows children that having a disability doesn't hold you back from achieving your goals. Suits Nursery/KS1 children.

[Zachary Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Susan laughs for demonstrating that children with disabilities can live fulfilling lives. I however do not enjoy how the book hides Susan's wheelchair until the end of the story. It sends a unfortunate implication that you have to be blind to the disability a child has. I feel the book would have been better suited if we knew Susan was wheelchair bound from the beginning.

[Jessekah Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susan Laughs is about a little girl named Susan who doesn't let the world's obstacles stand in her way. Regardless of her being in a wheelchair, she doesn't let anything stop her. As the book says, she swims, smiles and has fun with friends, just like everyone else. I would recommend this book to children in preschool and pre-k, especially because it is colorful and has a very simple rhyme scheme to it. Children will be able to follow along with the text very simply. Parents will too enjoy the cute illustrations and the heartwarming message. Also, this book is a great way to help children understand that people who are different to them aren't any less capable of doing things that they do. In fact, I believe this book will encourage children to become friends with other children who happen to have disabilities.

[Alice Reedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Susan Laughs is a book that is simply written and easily read; but with a powerful and important message at the end that resonates with children and adults alike. The story follows Susan, a young girl who participates in activities and feelings that are familiar to all children. She sings, swims and paints. She feels happy, sad and scared. Susan is an ordinary, relatable character for young readers; as the last page reiterates, Susan is ‘just like me, just like you.’ This last line is accompanied by a picture of Susan in a wheelchair, illustrating the positive message that Susan’s disability does not make her different from any other child. Focussing on Susan’s abilities and her strengths as opposed to her limitations makes this a wonderful book for encouraging the acceptance of diversity.

This book therefore makes an accessible starting point for class discussions and questions about disability and would make a great tool for any teacher to promote the tolerance and understanding of human individualities. The simple two word sentences arranged in rhyming couplet form make the book immediately rhythmic and engaging for children. Although the vocabulary and sentence structure are simplistic, the thought-provoking content means that this book would be appropriate for all primary age ranges.

The revelation at the end of Susan Laughs encourages the reader to go back and re-read the book, looking at the pictures and addressing our assumptions about what we understood on our first reading. It challenges possible preconceptions about people with physical disabilities but does so without resorting to sentimentality or condescension. For this reason I would highly recommend this cheerful and inclusive book to any teacher, parent or child.

[Charlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Susan Laughs by Jeanne Willis and Illustrated by Tony Ross

This book is a short rhyming story that describes the emotions and activities that a little girl called Susan experiences. She laughs, she sings, she’s good, she’s bad and many more things, but at the end of the story we find out that she is in a wheelchair.

I like this book because it focuses on Susan’s abilities rather than on the things she can not do. It teaches children that even though someone may have a disability they can still do what everyone else can do.
This book has two words on each page so it relies on the expressive illustrations that Tony Ross provides. The children will be engaged by the lively and thoughtful illustrations that shows the life of a little girl who they can relate to.

This is a great book to read to children in Early Years or Year 1. With the limited text and striking pictures on each page, this book can be put on the Visualiser to be viewed as a big book so the children can follow as you read and engage in the pictures further. I think that this book can generate a discussion amongst the children to find out whether or not they were surprised by Susan being in a wheelchair. It is also ideal for a shared writing lesson so the children can talk about themselves and what they can do.

[Livash Ramduth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Susan Laughs is a short story told in rhyme. The story describes a range of common emotions and activities experienced by a little girl, Susan. She swims with her father, works hard in school, plays with her friends, rides a horse. It is not until the end of the story that we discover that Susan is a wheelchair user. When looking back through the book, we notice that Susan is never unassisted but we do not realise any of this until it is bought to our attention in the final illustration. The story is told with great warmth but without sentimentality and addresses an important issue that is relevant to us all - becoming aware of disability. It focuses on Susan's abilities rather than on the things, by which she is limited and shows that she is like all children, she is good, she is bad, she is strong, she is weak. Susan is an active, feisty little girl whose physical disability is never seen as a handicap.

This story can be used as an excellent classroom tool to facilitate conversations and explore questions and concerns about disability. The story is told in simple rhyming couplets using the simple present and can be used to develop vocabulary around everyday activities and emotions. There are only a few words in this plot less story but it delivers a powerful message and provides a positive image of children with a disability.

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book to raise awareness of disability, to promote inclusion and also challenge stereotypes. It is a short story told in rhyme. The story describes a range of common emotions and activities experienced by a little girl, Susan. She is never unassisted in any of these activities, however it is only on the last page that it is revealed that Susan is in a wheelchair.

This book can be read together to the class, used as a discussion point to raise any issues of feelings that the pupils may have at the time, for example feeling lonely or sad. It focuses on Susan’s abilities rather than on the things by which she is limited, an important message for those children who may have experienced this situation. It can be used to facilitate conversations and concerns around disability and to improve awareness.

It is an illustrated book and I would recommend for pupils of all primary ages.

[Aoife · Rating 4 out of 5]

Susan laughs, she sings, she flies, she swings. She's good, she's bad, she's happy and she's sad. In fact, Susan is just like everybody else, even though she is in a wheelchair. This story is simple, but the meaning behind it is not just for children, it is for all of us. It would be a great book to open up discussion on disability as well as focusing on inclusion and a great way to hear children’s imputs. It provides discussion on what can be a difficult subject, helping to teach understanding and care. This would be an excellent book to use in the classroom if you had a SEN Child in the class. The beautifully illustrated pictures show Susan doing general day to day activities which children can relate to. This is a book with enough depth to form the basis of a discussion with children of all ages.

[Bridie Atkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susan laughs, she sings, she flies, she swings. She's good, she's bad, she's happy and she's sad. In fact, Susan is just like everybody else, even though she is in a wheelchair. This story is simple, but the meaning behind it is not just for children, it is for all of us. It would be a great book to open up discussion on disability as well as focusing on inclusion and a great way to hear children’s imputs. It provides discussion on what can be a difficult subject, helping to teach understanding and care. This would be an excellent book to use in the classroom if you had a SEN Child in the class. The beautifully illustrated pictures show Susan doing general day to day activities which children can relate to. This is a book with enough depth to form the basis of a discussion with children of all ages

[Sian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is written simply, with only a few words on each page, relying heavily on the illustrations to build up the character of Susan, a little girl who does all the normal childhood things. Susan laughs, sings, cries, paints, grins....and it only becomes apparent on the final page of the book that Susan is in a wheelchair. The book concludes with the words,'That is Susan through and through - just like me, just like you'.The use of rhyme within this book is great and would be great to use with very young children to introduce the differences in other people and how these don't necessarily mean that they can't do the same things as us.
This book would be ideal in Reception as the emphasis is on the use of illustration and so this book is accessible to children of this age.
I enjoyed this book and would use it within my own classroom.

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The whole book is a message, but it’s a good reminder for kids and adults alike. The rhyming simple story is engaging, and the pictures are fun. I did appreciate the huge variety of things Susan did during the book, making her authentically real with whom kids can definitely identify. Because the point of the book is to show that despite being in a wheelchair Susan is like everybody else, I’d think this would be good to read when discussing disabilities and differences (and similarities) but not necessarily as simply a “just for fun” book, even though I guess it can be enjoyed in spite of and not just because of the message. 3 ½ stars

[Kaleb Beaulieu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, I think it did a very good job at very simply reminding the reader that children with physical disabilities, such as being in a wheelchair, are just the same as any other child. This being said I didn't like some of the words used (specifically describing Susan as bad) but I understand that this may have been done for the simple rhyming structure. Additionally, it has cute and colorful illustrations that I believe will help captivate children's attention. Altogether I think this would be a good addition to a younger classroom and help with children understanding their peers.

[Kelsey Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my opinion, I really enjoyed the book. This book about a young girl in a wheelchair used simple rhyming words and pictures depicting that this girl could do the same activities of people that are not disabled. The book does not reveal to the reader that the girl is in a wheelchair until the end of the book making it easier for a child reader to focus on Susan's actions instead of only the fact that Susan is in a wheelchair. This show's the child reader that even people with are the same as people without disabilities. I give this book a numerical rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

[Jenny L · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Susan Laughs by Jeanne Willis and illustrated by Tony Ross for a graduate course on youth literature. I found the book on Booklist Book Reviews. It is the winner of the NASEN-Children's Special Needs Award in 2000. The book has minimal text with two words to a page and is written in rhyme. Most of the meaning that is conveyed is through the illustrations. The characters are drawn in a cartoon-style and are drawn to show a range of emotions. While the text describes the actions that Susan engages in, such as twirling, splashing, and waving, the illustrations convey most of the meaning. For instance, Susan is seen splashing in a bathtub and shows her father twirling her through the air while she laughs. In this way the illustrations support the text. Susan is shown engaging in a range of activities, such as swimming, horseback riding, spinning on a merry-go-round, and doing her work in her classroom. Susan is also shown exhibiting a wide range of emotions from happiness to fear and anger. The illustrations also show other people interacting with Susan, such as parents, grandparents, and friends. In addition, the other people respond to Susan with varied emotions, from joy to anger. It isn't until the last page of the book that the reader learns that Susan is in a wheelchair. The book powerfully communicates the message that Susan is just like any other child, and she is not limited by a disability. I thought the author did a very good job in portraying Susan in a multidimensional way. Susan is portrayed as a young girl full of energy who brings joy and delight to her family and friends, as well as anger and concern from her family. Susan clearly has authentic relationships where she contributes to each of the relationships. She is not shown confined to a wheelchair while others do everything for her. The message to children is clear. People with special needs are no different than others. They are capable of participating in the same activities that others do. They also have authentic relationships with others where they contribute to the relationship. They have emotions and other people can express negative emotions toward them, such as anger. They do not exist for others to take care of them or pity them. I believe this book would be suitable for children in preschool through second grade. The book could be used as a read-aloud followed by a discussion of how Susan is like other children and how she may be different. The children could also fill out a simple graphic organizer or T-Chart where they draw all of the experiences and qualities that they have in common with Susan and all of the ones they don't have in common. They will quickly realize how much more they have in common with her than what they don't.

[Veronica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really, really enjoyed this read. This story is based on a girl named Susan. Throughout the book, the audience can see all the different things Susan does. For example- she swims with her family at the beach, splashes in the tub, and grins at the Mona Lisa. On the last page, the audience becomes aware through the illustrations that Susan has a physical disability and is in a wheelchair. The text ensures us that Susan is “just like me and just like you.”

So, I wanted to explore the area of disabilities through children’s literature. I think this book was a great one to introduce the idea in a subtle way. While reading, the audience is not aware that Susan is disabled. This allows the audience to connect with her regardless. In the end, the audience may have an ‘ah-ha’ moment because they realize that just because someone has a disability does not make them unlikable. In fact, they are very much relatable. My only worry is that I know some people that have disabilities embrace them. They want to be recognized for being different. Now, I do not take offense to this; I think this is a beautiful book. However, I worry that some people may feel differently, so this book might not be for everyone. I also want to quickly mention the illustrations because I love this style. The illustrations were done in pencils and crayons. I just love the dimension it brings with a variety of colors layered on top of one another. Tony Ross also included a lot of cross-hatching that fits well with the theme. The illustrations also provide a lot of content to the story. The text does not come out and blatantly say Susan has a disability, but the audience infers it from the picture. Overall, I believe the author and illustrator did a great job with this.

[Dina · Rating 4 out of 5]

When we become lost in life's simple pleasures and weakest times, we overlook that others, young, old, or disabled, experience these moments too. Through a poetic story about a little girl named Susan, readers can relate to her as we see her laughing, singing, swinging, pranking her family, swimming with her father, and the highlights and struggles in school. All the familiarity within Susan's day-to-day activities builds her character from her physical disability to emphasize normality. Revealing her disability at the end helps normalize the vitality in her childhood even though she's in a wheelchair. Susan's story reminds us that disabilities do not determine the meaning of life, nor do they make you different or limit you away from participating in life's most over-sighted enjoyments. For children, this book presents this concept in a simple, refreshing manner. The crayon-designed illustrations animate her position as a sweet young child while depicting the delights we all experience in her life. Although this book has the strength to create space for readers to connect, relate, and accept people with disabilities, there was a weakness in the number of complex words used to tell her story. With the poetic structure, I felt the text lacked passion and word variety. Other than that, I appreciate the effort to bring awareness to the ways society views others that are "different." It can be easy to consider ourselves normal and distinguish those who do not fit the narrative. Developing that awareness within our youth creates opportunities for a more accepting mindset that may extend to communities.

[Richard Avalos · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a young girl named Susan who enjoys doing various activities with her father that many kids enjoy doing. However, after doing all these activities, readers are introduced to her wheelchair showing us that her disability does not limit her. The author of this book uses rhyme to help engage the young readers in the message she is trying to convey. This allows the younger audience able to follow the text easier and keeps them engaged. The illustrations in this book are very detailed yet unique, in that the brush strokes are free flowing creating a colored pencil looking drawing. Further, the use of colors allows readers to view this young girl as playful, happy, and busy. A concern with this book maybe that it does not entirely discuss disabilities or the specific disabilities. Further, parents may be concerned because it just shows that this young girl Susan is not limited to her disability rather than introducing this topic to children. Overall, I believe this book can be used a good tool to help young children understand disabilities. However, I believe this book should not be used as the first introduction into the book, but rather, an additional material for further exploration.

[Stephie Healy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Susan Laughs is a sweet and short children’s book. It is about a little girl whose name is Susan. It goes on to tell us all the things Susan can do and feel in a sweet and playful rhyme that goes on throughout the book. Throughout the entire book you think Susan is just a regular little girl like every other girl you have seen, since all of the things she can do seem pretty normal. It isn’t until the end where you learn that she is in a wheelchair. I loved that the author chose to do this, because this way kids get to see that even though Susan is on a wheelchair, she is pretty much the same to everyone else. This can teach them that even though someone has a disability, does not mean that they are that much different from everybody else. Personally, I really liked the text because it makes you realize how similar we all are despite our differences. The major theme of this story is disabilities and equality. I would recommend adding this book into a classroom because it demonstrates how even though a kid, in this case Susan, may have a disability, it does not make it that different from everyone else.

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

3+ rounded up. A wonderful book about disabilities, but with a few weak points. Still a strong and actually enjoyable (not too preachy) book about what disabled people can do. I've seen a few comments from other reviewers about how the wheelchair was hidden until the end. While I see their point - that it's like hiding the disability as something shameful - I also liked the 'twist' at the end, how we shouldn't let one part of a person overshadow everything else we have in common. For a younger reader seeing Susan dance in her wheelchair might have been much less relatable than what was actually shown in the pictures. I guess that one's just a bit of a personal response.

Tony Ross illustrations are always a little hit or miss for me - sometimes spot on, sometimes with a great touch of humor, and sometimes just a little too much. The yelling pictures were a little much for me, just some very Angry anger scenes. Overall, though, the illustrations were fun and pretty relatable emotions and activities.

Could be used for a storytime on emotions, friendships, differences, disabilities (maybe with a guest speaker). The reading itself was a very easy rhyme, not too sing-songy.

[Laura Oesch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grade level: Pre School - first grade
Genre: Realistic Fiction- This is due to the fact that we as the reader do not know if Susan is a real person. Therefore, we cannot say if the book is non-fiction. All of the actions that Susan does another person can do these same actions.

Summary: This book is all about Susan and goes through some of the things that Susan likes to do. However, at the end of the book, we the reader finds out that Susan is in a wheelchair.

One unique feature of this book gives us as the reader an important lesson that people in wheelchairs are not that different. In addition, this book shows some of the many things that a person in a wheelchair can do.

We ended up using this book in our classroom because we have a student who occasionally uses a wheelchair to get around. This book helped the students understand that the student in the wheelchair has the same emotions and actions that they do every day. In addition, this made them realize that the student in the wheelchair is not so different from them after all.

[Rosie Potter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fantastic book. The illustrations by Tony Ross are, as always, quite child like but enjoyable in their simplistic nature. I think books like this are so important because it really highlights the fact that we are all the same and there is no difference between us. Just like it says at the end of this book “that is Susan through and through- just like me, just like you”. It would be a fun book to read with KS1 and EYFS because it is really simple to follow and the children could join in. Also everyone can interpret the pictures in their own way. It would also be a nice book to use in KS2 because the twist at the end is not one that anyone is expecting and I think that this elevates the book above its simplistic sentence structure. Books like this would lead to great conversations within the class and that it is good to expose children to literature where children of all abilities are depicted.

[Julian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Susan es como cualquier otra niña de su edad: juega, se enoja, rie, pasea, hace tiraderos, etc. No tiene nada de particular la historia...aparentemente. Es al final donde nos damos cuenta que Susan usa silla de ruedas.

El libro es bueno para crear en los niños la conciencia respecto a la discapacidad. En casa lo leímos comparando cada actividad de Susan con las de mi hija (son las mismas). Al final mi hija se quedó callada, pensando por unos treinta segundos y después preguntó por qué la niña estba en silla de ruedas. Tuvimos una pequeña plática al respecto y ya luego se distrajo. Si la conozco bien, en un par de días vendrá con más preguntas y sus propios pensamientos.

El texto es demasiado simple ("Susan se enoja", "Susan se esconde", etc.) y no hay historia, sólo es una colección de actividades desconectadas.

Me gustó mucho.

[Mariela Alfaro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary
This book is about a little girl named Susan who is able to do everything other do. Through vivid illustrations various activities are demonstrated. However, it is until the end that an illustration of Susan reveals that Susan is on a Wheelchair.

Major Themes
Acceptance

Personal Response
I found this book very interesting and different. It has very few words and relies heavily on the illustrations. Every page demonstrates Susan doing something different like a normal kid. It uses vivid images to reflect happiness and how Susan is just as the rest. I really liked how it is very easy to understand and read for children all age.

Recommendation
I would recommend this book as a great introduction to disabilities. Teachers can use this book to demonstrate how disabilities do not change people and how they are just like the rest. Through the entire book children can relate with what Susan does however it is at the end that it is revealed that Susan is on a wheelchair.

[Megan Ewald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susan laughs is book with the character Susan who does all of these activities and feels all of these emotions that aren't different from anyone else even though she is different. All the pages rhyme together and on the last page you see that Susan is in a wheelchair. Every picture leading up to the last page has Susan participating in activities or feeling emotions that are no different than any other child but do not show that she is in a wheelchair.

I gave this book a 5/5 because the plot of this story is very true that even though Susan has physical disabilities, she isn't different from the others. I love the illustrations too. They all seem to be done with a colored pencil and they make the book look very interesting. I am very happy I picked this book up to read.

[Jill Westerbur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Susan Laughs is a great children's book told in a rhyme pattern. The book revolves around the emotions of Susan, who is in a wheelchair. She swims with her father, works hard in school, plays with her friends, rides a horse. It is not until the end of the story that we discover that Susan is a wheelchair user. It focuses on Susan’s abilities rather than on the things by which she is limited and shows that she is like all children, she is good, she is bad, she is strong, she is weak. Susan is an active, feisty little girl whose physical disability is never seen as a handicap. I give this book a 4 star rating as I find this type of book to be very important. The book helps in raising awareness about children with disability.

[Sami Westrick]

This story is following Susan through activities in her day. She swims with her dad, works hard for school, plays with her friends, and rides a horse. She is a busy and happy little girl. At the end of the story, it is revealed that Susan is in a wheelchair. This book show her spunky personality while being handicap and still living her best life despite her challenges. Throughout the book, illustrations are used to show details on Susan's life. Showing how she faces her challenges with a smile on her face. Showing how she is still a happy spunky little girl living life in a wheelchair. I would rate this book a 5 because it would be a great book to read to young students to show them that no matter the challenge, they can over come it and be a good friend.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting way to introduce how disabilities do not define us to children. Typically a book would show the struggle the child would go through to accomplish their goals with their disability. But Willis tells the story of Susan who goes swimming with her dad, she even rides a horse! It was not until the end of the book that it is revealed Susan is in a wheel chair. Susan is a spunky girl who does what other children do, her physical disability was never seen as handicap. This book can show children that we include everyone, with or with out a disability. This book made me feel happy for Susan, that others did not view her being in a wheelchair as a personalty trait. She was not 'Susan in the wheelchair'. She was simply just 'Susan'.