The importance of meeting characters with Down’s syndrome

Author Tricia Seabolt shares why all children should be represented in books.  

Important voices are missing

If you’re anything like me, you’ve met some of your favourite people between the covers of a book. Stroll through the children’s section at your library and you’ll find countless characters – from all walks of life – eager to share their stories. 

But if a child you love has Down’s syndrome, you’veprobably noticed that some very important voices are missing. Books starring kids with Down’s syndrome are few and far between, especially in the chapter book and middle grade space. As awareness about this underrepresented community grows, I hope we will see that gap on library and bookstore shelves continue to narrow. 

One extra chromosome

Because they are born with an extra (or partial extra) chromosome, people with Down’s syndrome can have varying degrees of physical and learning differences. However, they are still capable of amazing things from playing instruments and sports to starting businesses and volunteering in their communities. My friend, Joe Pawsey, who is the proud owner of an extra chromosome, was a huge inspiration as I wrote Ellie and the Marriage List, the first book in my One Extra Sparkle series. Joe shines in all he does, from marching band to college and everything in between. 

Joe, just like all of us, deserves to see himself positively represented in literature. Siblings and cousins of kids with Down’s syndrome can also benefit from reading about familial structures similar to their own. When we witness our lives reflected in the pages of a book, we are both reassured of our place in this world and empowered to take on new challenges. As a child, I gravitated toward books about kids who were (painfully) shy like me. My son, who has ADHD, feels understood when he reads about others who have trouble focusing. 

Plus of course it’s also important for all children to read about characters who have Down’s syndrome. Books are the perfect bridge into a seemingly unfamiliar world because readers will likely discover more similarities than differences. This allows doors to open and misconceptions to fizzle away. 

Ellie and the Marriage List

In Ellie and the Marriage List, 10-year-old Ellie doesn’t let Down’s syndrome stop her from protecting those she loves. Convinced that their lip-glossy neighbour is on a mission to marry her brother, Ellie hatches a plan to put a stop to the wedding before it starts. Things get even worse when she learns that her favourite backyard tree is at risk of being chopped down. Through everything, Ellie wears her extra sparkle ring, a gift from her family to celebrate her extra chromosome. Not only does it remind her how extra cool she is, but also of the strength she must have when facing challenges not everyone has. 

I believe that we don’t just need more books representing kids from the Down’s syndrome community – we need light-hearted humour in this category as well. After all, laughter is the universal language that unites children of all backgrounds. When we lift the veil of seriousness from disabilities, we see possibilities instead of differences. Instead of someone to avoid, we see a new friend. Someone to eat lunch with. Someone to share a joke and giggle-till-your-belly-hurts with. Someone to sneak that extra cookie with. 

Positive representation of the Down’s syndrome community in children’s literature promotes inclusion and acceptance in both schools and communities. Furthermore, protagonists with an extra chromosome have the power to break down walls and build connections both on and off the page. 

Ellie and the Marriage List by Tricia Seabolt and illustrated by Lucy Rogers is out now.