Catherine’s Story

 Catherine's Story by Genevieve Moore, illustrated by Karin Littlewood (Frances Lincoln/Walker Books)
PB $RRP 16.95
ISBN 978-1-84780-402-0
Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

At first glance Catherine looks like any other child although her claps are noiseless and she walks in boots that no one else can walk in. Her cousin Frances decides to try walking in her shoes – literally. But she can’t. She just falls down from the weight of them.

Catherine’s parents see her as special and tell her so. They also tell her that she is a good listener. And when her father kisses her, he reminds her how special he feels to have a child like her.

This is Genevieve Moore’s first book; thoroughly researched and written from personal experience. She has chosen the delicate but seldom approached subject of children with disabilities for her debut story. This is a valuable and informative book, and belongs in libraries and other accessible book areas. It serves to educate the young, and helps develop an understanding about children that are different to themselves.

The message is presented in a gentle and sensitive way through the sparse but clear text, and the beautiful illustrations produced in watercolour by Karin Littlewood, three times nominee for the Kate Greenway medal.

There is a note at the end of the book referring to how the book came about, and refers also to symptoms that cause children like Catherine to be the way they are.