Reviews
Emmanuel's Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah by Laurie Ann Thompson, Sean Qualls
therainbowshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Emmanuel’s story of fighting ableism is well conveyed in this picture book. The author effectively shows Emmanuel’s adaptive solutions that help him get to school and participate in sports while at the same time showing Emmanuel’s observations about people with disabilities being excluded from Ghana society and how these factors all contributed to Emmanuel’s 400 mile ride across the country to raise awareness.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Abandonment
raquelinabook's review against another edition
5.0
Beautiful story about Emmanuel Ofusu Yeboah’s childhood and how it shaped his activism. I can’t describe in words how emotional it was. A story of resilience and showing the world how disability doesn’t mean being unable to do anything.
snazel's review against another edition
4.0
So I once managed to mangle my toe in a bike chain (biking in sandals is hazardous) and tried to bike home one-legged. I could not do it. Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah biked 400 miles one-legged in flip-flops. And then he got a law passed extending rights to disabled people in his country. And then he started a school. And he wasn't even 30 yet.
kschultz29's review against another edition
4.0
When Emmanuel was born many people thought he was cursed because one of his legs was paralyzed. However, his mom still loved him and as he got older he could do most of the things that other people could do, such as carry water or climb trees. One day at school, Emmanuel’s friends help him learn how to ride a bike so he can ride with them. After his mom gets sick, Emmanuel goes to Accra to find a job in order to support his family. When his mom dies two years later, Emmanuel gets the idea to ride his bike around Ghana to show people although he might have a disability, he is not unable to do things. Finally, not only does he achieves his goal of riding around Ghana to spread his message, but along his ten day journey he gained the support of both able-bodied and disabled people from all around the country.
Like other children’s books with characters who have a disability, Emmanuel’s Dream gives the message that having a disability does not mean that people are unable to do something, it just means that they may have to do something differently. For instance, instead of walking to school, Emmanuel first has to be carried by his mother, and later hops on his left leg there and back. Since it is a true story, the book also explicitly gives a voice to those with disabilities because Emmanuel – not the author – is the one who originally spreads the message that people with disabilities are still able to do the same things as those who are able-bodied. In fact, Emmanuel wears a shirt that says “the pozo” which means “the disabled person” to call attention to the fact that while he is disabled he can still ride a bike for 400 miles around the country. Therefore, this biographical children’s book gives more of a voice to those with disabilities than fictional stories that include characters with disabilities because the author is just sharing the message that originated from someone with a disability.
This text also shows readers the way people in Ghana view those with disabilities. For example, the story explains that when Emmanuel was born people thought he was cursed which is a belief that is still held by many people in traditional African cultures. Furthermore, it portrays the problematic view in Ghanaian culture that people with disabilities can only make money by begging on the street because they are unable to have a job. However, Emmanuel’s story disrupts this belief because he is able to get a job. Thus, whether they have a disability or not, children who are from Ghana or other African cultures that hold these same views will be able to identify with the cultural beliefs in the story.
Lastly, the way Emmanuel’s story is illustrated in the book perpetuates stereotypes of African countries. For instance, many of the illustrations show women carrying large bowls of food, which is also associated with the idea that everyone in countries like Ghana are poor and have to carry food or water long distances. Yet, the notion that everyone lives in poverty is subtly disrupted when the text mentions that Emmanuel talked to wealthy landowners and government officials. This works to tell readers that not everyone in Ghana is poor and that Ghana is not just a helpless country.
This book is part of the Larissa Gerstel Collection at American University located at http://www.american.edu/cas/education/iie/gerstel.cfm
Like other children’s books with characters who have a disability, Emmanuel’s Dream gives the message that having a disability does not mean that people are unable to do something, it just means that they may have to do something differently. For instance, instead of walking to school, Emmanuel first has to be carried by his mother, and later hops on his left leg there and back. Since it is a true story, the book also explicitly gives a voice to those with disabilities because Emmanuel – not the author – is the one who originally spreads the message that people with disabilities are still able to do the same things as those who are able-bodied. In fact, Emmanuel wears a shirt that says “the pozo” which means “the disabled person” to call attention to the fact that while he is disabled he can still ride a bike for 400 miles around the country. Therefore, this biographical children’s book gives more of a voice to those with disabilities than fictional stories that include characters with disabilities because the author is just sharing the message that originated from someone with a disability.
This text also shows readers the way people in Ghana view those with disabilities. For example, the story explains that when Emmanuel was born people thought he was cursed which is a belief that is still held by many people in traditional African cultures. Furthermore, it portrays the problematic view in Ghanaian culture that people with disabilities can only make money by begging on the street because they are unable to have a job. However, Emmanuel’s story disrupts this belief because he is able to get a job. Thus, whether they have a disability or not, children who are from Ghana or other African cultures that hold these same views will be able to identify with the cultural beliefs in the story.
Lastly, the way Emmanuel’s story is illustrated in the book perpetuates stereotypes of African countries. For instance, many of the illustrations show women carrying large bowls of food, which is also associated with the idea that everyone in countries like Ghana are poor and have to carry food or water long distances. Yet, the notion that everyone lives in poverty is subtly disrupted when the text mentions that Emmanuel talked to wealthy landowners and government officials. This works to tell readers that not everyone in Ghana is poor and that Ghana is not just a helpless country.
This book is part of the Larissa Gerstel Collection at American University located at http://www.american.edu/cas/education/iie/gerstel.cfm
luckyliza13's review against another edition
5.0
100% loved this book. What an inspiring story; picture book format so young readers/ listeners can know Emmanuel's story. Don't talk about diversity books without mentioning this one!
readingthroughtheages's review against another edition
5.0
Beautiful. Love seeing someone with a physical disability show it's not the challenge that makes the person. It's what you do with the challenge. How it's a part of your life, not your life. Thank you, Emmanuel.
muddypuddle's review against another edition
5.0
ONE PERSON CAN CHANGE THE WORLD. This true story shows this completely. Born with a useless leg, Emmanuel was treated as and considered a beggar with no worth, but he wanted to EARN his way in the world. This story shows how he really did make a difference, by proving to everyone that physical disabilities do not change a person's worth. He biked - with one leg - for 400 miles across Ghana and had it recorded. Because of his persistence and drive, Ghana's disability laws were changed! This book is written really well and I totally enjoy the accompanying illustrations. A surefire winner for any "Making a Difference in the World" study!
abigailbat's review against another edition
4.0
This is an inspiring story about a child who learned to cope with a disability in a place where there were very few resources available to him. The text succinctly explains that in Ghana many people thought that people with disabilities couldn't do anything or might even be cursed. Emmanuel went on to become an athlete and an advocate for people with disabilities, helping to make changes in Ghana that made life better for people with disabilities.
Expressive art shows emotion throughout Emmanuel's journey. I just find Sean Quall's art very pleasing to the eye. The characters are highlighted in each spread, wearing bright colors that stand out against a mostly neutral background. An author's note explains that Emmanuel went on to compete in major athletic events and he carried the torch in the 2004 Cairo Olympics. His bike ride and continued activism contributed to laws passed in Ghana that guarantee people with disabilities the same rights as other people.
This is a book that opens a window to a place and experience that will be unfamiliar to most kids and I think it's an interesting story that kids will pick up and read. I've put this one on my booktalking roster for 3rd & 4th graders this spring.
Expressive art shows emotion throughout Emmanuel's journey. I just find Sean Quall's art very pleasing to the eye. The characters are highlighted in each spread, wearing bright colors that stand out against a mostly neutral background. An author's note explains that Emmanuel went on to compete in major athletic events and he carried the torch in the 2004 Cairo Olympics. His bike ride and continued activism contributed to laws passed in Ghana that guarantee people with disabilities the same rights as other people.
This is a book that opens a window to a place and experience that will be unfamiliar to most kids and I think it's an interesting story that kids will pick up and read. I've put this one on my booktalking roster for 3rd & 4th graders this spring.
trgrant2310's review against another edition
4.0
Summary: This Multicultural, Nonfiction children’s picture book covers topics of social issues and special needs. A young boy named Emmanuel was born with one leg that was not as strong as his other leg. His mother was the only one who encouraged him to reach for his dreams in life. Emmanuel would hop to school on one leg every day and even learned to play soccer. As he grew older, Emmanuel learned to ride a bike. This led to him riding a 400 mile stretch across Ghana to raise awareness that just because you are disabled it does not mean that you are not able.
Evaluation: Emmanuel’s Dream won the Schneider Family Book Award in 2016, and this is definitely a book that will be on my classroom library shelf. This is an inspiring, true story for all ages that proves you can reach your dreams no matter what obstacle you may face. The pictures are simple, but the color choices are engaging to the reader. One of my favorite quotes from the story is “He proved that one leg is enough to do great things—and one person is enough to change the world.”
Teaching Idea: I would have students use this story for their writing journal. I would prompt them to write about a difficult obstacle for them that they overcame. We would focus on establishing a clear beginning, middle, and end of their personal narrative. Later, as students shared with each other, we would discuss how we all face challenges in life and should support each other to never give up.
Evaluation: Emmanuel’s Dream won the Schneider Family Book Award in 2016, and this is definitely a book that will be on my classroom library shelf. This is an inspiring, true story for all ages that proves you can reach your dreams no matter what obstacle you may face. The pictures are simple, but the color choices are engaging to the reader. One of my favorite quotes from the story is “He proved that one leg is enough to do great things—and one person is enough to change the world.”
Teaching Idea: I would have students use this story for their writing journal. I would prompt them to write about a difficult obstacle for them that they overcame. We would focus on establishing a clear beginning, middle, and end of their personal narrative. Later, as students shared with each other, we would discuss how we all face challenges in life and should support each other to never give up.