Meeting Mimi

Book Title:  Meeting Mimi 

Book Author:  Francie Dolan

Book Illustrator:  Wendy Leach

This book addresses:  Children with disabilities

Potentially Tricky Vocabulary:  

Disability: a physical, mental, or developmental condition that interferes with how a person can engage with tasks or participate in activities

Questions to ask the student before reading: 

• Do you know any examples of what a disability can be?

• Do you know anyone with a disability?

  • It can be someone they know personally or a historical figure

• How do you think we should treat people with disabilities?

Historical context to give before reading:  

People with disabilities have faced many challenges. They face challenges every day related to their disability - maybe they’re blind, have a prosthetic, dyslexia, or down's syndrome. They have had to fight for their rights to experience the same things as everyone else throughout history. Making spaces (buildings, schools, malls, restaurants) accessible to all was a right that the disabled community protested for and won in 1990. Not all spaces are perfect, but it is laws like this that make our world a better and more inclusive place. People with disabilities are still just that - people. Their lives may be different from someone without a disability, and some people will judge them for that. We should always be kind and welcoming to all people, regardless of any disability.

*A note for the tutor* The subtitle on this book reads “A Story About Different Abilities”. The phrase “different abilities” is a contested expression within the disabled community. I would advise against advocating for the use of this phrase. For additional information please read https://www.betterup.com/blog/differently-abled 

(The questions to ask the student and historical content above are interconnected. The historical context is typically going to be a supplement to what your student might not know. Some students may already be knowledgeable about a subject, others may not know much yet. Pay attention to what your student already knows and share the historical context accordingly.)

While reading: 

Make sure to have a short conversation about the fact that Mimi likes questions and that not everybody with a disability may be quite so willing and happy to answer questions about their disability. What your student can do if they’re ever curious about someone’s disability is they can ask that person if it’s alright if they ask some questions, they can ask another adult, or they can ask their teacher for resources. Also point out to the student that Mimi’s classmates are asking questions about her (her likes and dislikes, etc) as well as questions about her disability. 

After reading: 

• What did you learn about Mimi? 

• How did Mimi’s classmates include her in the classroom?

• Is there anyone you know at school that you see included or excluded from the classroom? 

  • If they are included: How is that person included in class/recess/etc?

  • If they are excluded: Is there anything you can do to include them?

Follow up activity (time permitting):  

Make a character sheet for Mimi. Include physical description/picture, likes, dislikes, challenges, and a favorite fact about her. 

All definitions were adapted by Karina Connolly from the Merriam Webster online dictionary.