What Happened to You?

by James Catchpole (Author) Karen George (Illustrator)

Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

This accessible, funny, and groundbreaking story addresses the questions children often ask, as well as a disabled child's choice not to answer.

What happened to you?

Was it a shark?

A burglar?

A lion?

Did it fall off?

A boy named Joe is trying to play pirates at the playground, but he keeps being asked what happened to his leg. Bombarded with questions and silly suggestions, Joe becomes more and more fed up...until the kids finally understand they don't need to know what happened. And that they're wasting valuable playtime!

Based on the author's real childhood experiences, this honest, funny, and authentic picture book is an empowering read for anyone with a disability, and for young readers learning how best to address differences.

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Hardcover
$18.99

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School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 3--George's cover illustration tells readers nothing and everything in Catchpole's exuberant book about abilities and how to talk about them. Two smiling children each stand on simple wooden swings, boards attached with ropes; she is Black with two puffs of dark hair, and he is white with flyaway blond hair. She has two legs, he has one. Within the pages, readers learn he is Joe, and he is a pirate, dealing with a shark. Kid One, the girl with the puffs, wants to know what has happened to Joe's leg. Other children join in with questions about where his leg went, ruining Joe's pirate quest as well as his day. He deflects all questions, becoming moody and even angry, until Simone, who was "Kid One," asks, "Is that a crocodile down there?" and Joe lets her in. Soon all the kids have names and roles in Joe's game and the question of his leg is forgotten. Most of the story unfolds in conversation; the brevity of narrative moves the action along and George's cheerful illustrations capture in monotones pictures of the potential absurd answers to the children's impulsive questions. Catchpole, shown in a family photograph with one leg and a prosthetic, includes an author's note to explain how any person with a physical difference may not want to be interrupted (or become a so-called teachable moment) for questions about that difference, and ways to address such matters openly. VERDICT A rare perspective that removes pity, dissolves differences or impediments, and welcomes everyone into the game unquestioningly.--Kimberly Olson Fakih

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

As a person with a limb difference, 'What happened to you?' is a question I get asked just about every day. With playful illustrations, silly scenarios, and important life lessons, this book teaches us all what's actually important when we make a new friend: seeing them for who they are on the inside. Every child should have this book on their shelf. —Josh Sundquist, author of We Should Hang Out Sometime
James Catchpole
James Catchpole runs The Catchpole Agency with his wife Lucy and is the author of What Happened to You? James lives in the United Kingdom with Lucy and their two young daughters and invites you to visit their family online at thecatchpoles.net and on Instagram @thecatchpoles.

Karen George received a first class honors degree in Fine Art as well as an MA from The Royal College of Art. She has also won Waterstone's "Picture This" competition to illustrate Freddie and the Fairy and now joyfully spends her time drawing, painting, and writing. Karen lives in Bristol with her family and Dr. Calamari the cat. Find her online at karengeorge.net and on Instagram @karengeorge_books.

Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780316506472
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date
April 11, 2023
Series
What Happened to You?
BISAC categories
JUV039060 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Friendship
JUV039050 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Emotions & Feelings
JUV039150 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Special Needs
Library of Congress categories
Friendship
Picture books
People with disabilities
Children's stories
Amputees

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