by Cassandra Stafford, MS, SLP/L, ATP (speech-language pathologist and assistive technology professional); NWACS board member
reading time: 2 minutes
The views expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of NWACS. No endorsement by NWACS is implied regarding any device, manufacturer, resource, or strategy mentioned.
Let’s dive into a quick overview of a book featuring AAC:
Dancing with Daddy book cover
Book Title: Dancing with Daddy
Author: Anitra Rowe Schulte
Published in 2021
Age Range: 3+
Book Type: picture book
How AAC is Featured: The main character uses a paper-based PODD communication book, as well as multimodal communication. [PODD stands for Pragmatic Organization Dynamic Display]
Note: I am not an AAC user, nor am I a parent/guardian or caregiver of an AAC user. I am a speech-language pathologist. So, I am coming at the book from this perspective. I read the Kindle version of the book (that I got during a promotion a few years ago).
This book was inspired by the author’s family. Like in the story, she has three daughters. The main character (Elsie) is based on one of her daughters who has Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome (WHS).
The story is about Elsie getting ready to go to her first dance with her father and sisters. Throughout the book, there are two types of text. In addition to the main text that tells the story, there is also italicized text that shares some of Elsie’s inner thoughts.
Things I liked:
The representation of a child with WHS, including
receiving nutrition through tube feedings
taking tastes by mouth for pleasure
wearing orthotics (not obvious, but visible in some of the illustrations)
using a wheelchair
using a PODD communication book as part of her multimodal communication
I also liked that Elsie’s disability is just a part of her as a character. It is not the focus of the story.
My one big wish:
That Elsie’s PODD communication book was more visible throughout the story. The PODD book is only seen in three “spotlight” illustrations. It just sort of magically appears in front of her in these three illustrations. The rest of the time it is nowhere to be seen. It is not in the environment. We can’t see it transported around. It’s just not there.
Have you read this book? What did you think of it?
