Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers: AWARENESS TOUR: Jo's Special Gift by Mariam Shapera, Illustrated by Lorna Humphreys

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're spreading the book love with an AWARENESS TOUR via The Children's Book Review. It features a Children's Storybook that reminds us how everyone is special, everyone is unique, and those things that make it so should be celebrated in every day, in every way. So, without further ado, I give you today's blog tour guest and ebook of choice...

Jo’s Special Gifts

Mariam Shapera

Illustrated by

Lorna Humphreys

Ages 4+ | 39 Pages

9798989633708

Publisher: Mariam Shapera

About the book...

Join Jo, an enthusiastic, curious and sensitive boy, as he shares his autistic joys and challenges with you. This is an emotional journey that celebrates neurodiversity and embracing one’s own gifts. This heartwarming rhyming story celebrates the unique gifts that each person can bring to the world. You will love entering this amazing autistic brain as we celebrate Jo’s special gifts.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Bookshop.org

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This book was a wonderful celebration of what makes us...well, us...but in this case, and more specifically, what makes Jo...Jo. Jo was a wonderful soul to meet, and learning about his challenges was enlightening, but also so very encouraging because it brings to light something that children, and adults, work with every day...autism. It's more common than not nowadays, and yet unless you hand friends, or family carrying the diagnosis, it can still be a big mystery. I love how this book takes it by it's foundation and gives it a good shake, making it easier to understand, and relate to, perhaps even easier to recognize yourself or someone you know represented in the story. We need stories like this. We need avenues that turn something formerly seen as an obstacle into just another facet of a person to be understood, accepted, and learned from. Being different can make people feel like an outsider, but the more we make it known that everyone is different, and those differences are simply a part of what makes us beautiful, the better our world will become for every heart.

A delightful story for readers of all ages, and a great addition to any well rounded library!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mariam Shapera who is a family doctor and Autism advocate, was raised in the United Kingdom but now lives in California with her husband and three children. ‘Having to learn to advocate for my autistic son, Jo, I wanted to combine my love for writing children’s books with my goal of increasing autism acceptance. I have observed countless times the way Jo pursues his interests and passions and the autistic joy they bring him. So this book was born.’

For more information, visit: https://mariamshaperatales.com/

FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Lorna Humphreys lives in the United Kingdom with her partner, her two daughters and her cat. She works with authors all over the world and, through her illustrations, helps bring many wonderful stories to life. ‘My eldest daughter, Olivia, is autistic and struggles with social interaction and emotional regulation. When Mariam asked if I would collaborate with her, I was delighted to have the opportunity to illustrate a book that would mean so much to children like Jo and Olivia, to remind them of how special and gifted they are!’

INSTAGRAM

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*** GIVEAWAY ***

Enter for your chance to win a signed hardcover copy of Jo’s Special Gifts, a signed copy of Mariam’s first book, Up Up You Go, Jo!, and a $25 Starbucks gift card.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Special thanks to Bianca at The Children's Book Review for the chance to bring this tour to you and for the ecopy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, the publisher, this tour, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. This post is sponsored by Mariam Shapera. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view. Be sure to check out the rest of the stops on the tour for more bookish fun!

TOUR SCHEDULE

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

The Children’s Book Review

Book Review of Jo’s Special Gifts

Thursday, April 25, 2024

Pages for Paige

Instagram post for Jo’s Special Gifts

Friday, April 26, 2024

Life is What it’s called

Interview for Jo’s Special Gifts

Saturday, April 27, 2024

It’s Free At Last