Emma's Awesome Summer Camp Adventure (Charley and Emma Stories #3)

Gr 1-3--Emma has limb differences and uses a wheelchair, and she is super excited because Camp Waterfall is accessible for all. She immediately notes the ramps to the cabins, paved trails, and accessible seats. The cabin counselors reinforce this ethos while teaching the camp cheer which ends in the line, "We're all for inclusion, inclusion for all!" Emma and Charley soon learn that the fellow campers in their cabin are a diverse group with a wide range of abilities, interests, personalities, and accessibility needs. When Emma isn't sure about the zip line, Bradley helps her past her fear. Then when Bradley wants to dance at the talent show but is afraid of not doing it right, Emma rallies the campers to dance with him. The text embraces the individuality of the characters and focuses on what's possible in a fully accessible and supportive environment. As in the previous books, Liddiard does an excellently gives the text context with visual clues as to the accessibility needs of each camper. The illustrations depict Bradley in a wheelchair, Kitty using a cane and reading Braille, Aaron wearing noise-canceling headphones, and Engracia using a wheelchair but not her arms. The characters are also shown with a range of skin tones. An afterword discusses accessibility and some means for achieving it: ramps, audio books, service animals, and more. VERDICT A story that shows an environment where the differently abled can thrive, where accessibility means everyone, and featuring an underrepresented group in picture books, this is a truly solid addition for all collections.--Catherine Callegari

"A story that shows an environment where the differently abled can thrive, where accessibility means everyone, and featuring an underrepresented group in picture books, this is a truly solid addition for all collections." —School Library Journal, starred review