Library's review
Susan is no different from any other child, except that as we see at the end, she uses a wheelchair. An easy to read story which will help young children understand difference.
Publication
RED FOX BOOKS (RAND) (2001), Edition: New edition, 32 pages
User reviews
LibraryThing member limeminearia
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
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.
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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 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.
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LibraryThing member danielleburry
A very simplistic book that only has two words with each line. The book is very repetitive. For example, "Susan laughs, Susan sings, Susan flies, Susan swings...." Great book for working with beginning readers.
LibraryThing member Kaitlyn.Johnston
The book Susan Laughs outlines the daily activities of a girl named Susan, from laughing, swimming, to swinging, Susan does a wide variety of activities. What makes this book truly special is on the final page it is revealed that Susan is in-fact in a wheelchair. This book would be excellent for
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discussing disabilities with young students and can help them to realize at the end of the day we are all more similar than different. Show Less
LibraryThing member dbond
Susan Laughs by Jeanne Willis is a poem picture book. The fun rhyming poem tells the story of the things a young girl names Susan does. Susan’s weak…Susan’s strong… Each page depicts Susan and a variety of verbs and adjectives all joined by whimsical illustrations by Tony Ross. What you
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don’t see until the very last page is Susan’s wheelchair. This is a great reminder that children who are wheelchair bound are just like any other children. They have the same interests, struggles and emotions and shouldn’t be treated any differently. Show Less
LibraryThing member sreinh2
I absolutely loved this book by Jeanne Willis. It follows a young girl named Susan and it shows that she is just like other children. She laughs, sings, paints, and she has the same emotions as everyone else. She gets sad, mad, scared, and happy. I love how this book focuses on what Susan can do
Throughout the whole book, I had no idea that she was in a wheelchair because the illustration give no hint of it and the writing is just about what she can do and what she feels. The illustration show the reader that she is just a normal kid and that she is just like every other kid. I think that this is important in any book about a disability. The should portray the character with the disability as a person who is just like everyone else. They have the same feelings and they can do what everyone else can and this book does it perfectly.
I think that this book would be great to show kids that people with disabilities are just like everyone else and should not be treated any differently just because they are in a wheelchair or they have autism. Overall, I absolutely love this book and I think it is a great book about disability.
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instead of what she can't do. I didn't even know that she is in a wheelchair until the end of the book. Throughout the whole book, I had no idea that she was in a wheelchair because the illustration give no hint of it and the writing is just about what she can do and what she feels. The illustration show the reader that she is just a normal kid and that she is just like every other kid. I think that this is important in any book about a disability. The should portray the character with the disability as a person who is just like everyone else. They have the same feelings and they can do what everyone else can and this book does it perfectly.
I think that this book would be great to show kids that people with disabilities are just like everyone else and should not be treated any differently just because they are in a wheelchair or they have autism. Overall, I absolutely love this book and I think it is a great book about disability.
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LibraryThing member cadyVdean
goes through her emotions and how at the end of the day children all think similarly no matter what they look like.
LibraryThing member Berenice.Williams
Susan is a young child with a disability. She can do many great things and still is able to laugh and have fun with special help from her loved ones.
LibraryThing member JackieOttman
Susan is pictured and described as doing many different things in the book; swimming, dancing, coloring,....on the very last page Susan is shown in a wheelchair. The book shows all the strengths she has and only focuses on the disability once.
3-up group or individual
3-up group or individual
LibraryThing member jessicasolis6
The book talks about all of the wonderful things Susan can do. At the end we find out that she is in a wheel chair
LibraryThing member Karen_Curtis_Wood
A story about a little girl who is in a wheelchair. You have no clue until the end that she is, because the book shows you all she can do not what she can't do.
LibraryThing member jillianrose
A cute, fun book about a little girl and all the fun activities she does daily. At the end of the book it reveals that she is in a wheel chair, but that doesn't stop her from having fun, laughing and loving life.
3 to 5 yrs old
3 to 5 yrs old
LibraryThing member AlissaT
Susan Laughs tells the story of Susan, and the many different activities she does. At the end of the book, we discover that Susan is in a wheel chair, and even though she has an ability difference, she can do all of the things that regular children can do. I liked this book and thought that it was
Ages: 3 and up
Source: Jackie brought it in to class, but it can be found at the Pierce County library as well.
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a really good way to present physical ability differences to children. Only after we learned what Susan CAN do, we learned that she cannot walk. I think that is a good way to present this topic to children.Ages: 3 and up
Source: Jackie brought it in to class, but it can be found at the Pierce County library as well.
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LibraryThing member Batsneedfriendstoo
This book is about a girl that can do what other children can do, but at the end, you find out she's in a wheelchair.
Ages 3-6
Source ECE class
Ages 3-6
Source ECE class
LibraryThing member Emilymassey
Susan is a little girl who likes to do many things. She likes to spin, laugh, cry, jump, and skip. She is happy, she is mad, she is good and she is bad. She is just like you and me. At the end of the story the reader finds out that she is in a wheelchair and this doesn't change who she is or what
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she does. Show Less
LibraryThing member Shekina.Plaskett
about a childs ability to do what other kids can do and ability to express her feelings
LibraryThing member Marlene28
This is a wonderful book that all schools should have in your library and also families should have is at home and read it to your children. The author did a good job in this book, very good detailed and well illustrated, the photos are very striking and expressive in its context.
Age: 3 and
Source Steilacoom, Library
Age: 3 and
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upSource Steilacoom, Library
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LibraryThing member caseymdaniels
"Susan Laughs" follows Susan as she goes about a typical day, which includes swimming with her father, studying at school, and playing with her friends. At the end of the book, the readers discover that Susan uses a wheelchair. This story shows that physical disabilities do not prevent children
Age: 2-5
Source: Pierce College Library
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from doing everyday activities that other children participate in.Age: 2-5
Source: Pierce College Library
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LibraryThing member Joscellin
Susan shows all of the things she likes to do.
LibraryThing member MarandaJC
This books is about a little girl named Susan who is disabled but can laugh and do things just like every other child. It talks about all the different things that Susan can do even being in her wheelchair.
LibraryThing member JaniceBrody
Susan may be disabled and she has to be in a wheelchair but she is just like everyone else. Her disability doesn't make her any less of a person than someone who is not disabled.
LibraryThing member alex5354
A GIRL WITH A DISABILITY AND IT DOESN'T AFFECT OR BOTHERS HER ONE BIT AND HAVES FUN
LibraryThing member kesharra
A little girl who likes to be herself. she likes to be who she is and doesnt care who knows it.
LibraryThing member trenthamidou
A story of a little girl and all the fun adventures and things she does! But not only to find out she is really in a wheelchair!
LibraryThing member junludai
This book is telling a little girl, she have physical disabilities. She is keeping a positive life attitude, and haveing a "normal" life as everyone else's have.Eventhough she is sitting on wheel chair it is not a problem for her to keep her life attitude and still learning and enjoing the life.
LibraryThing member mamapelton
For ages 5 years old and up. Susan has to have a wheelchair. Even though she needs the wheelchair she still does things just like every other child. (Classroom book presentation)