The Prince Who Was Just Himself Book Review

SUMMARY:  It's a good thing everyone is different!
     The royal couple is looking forward to their third child.  "He looks a little different," muses the king at Prince Noah's arrival. "He is not like the others," agrees the queen.  Soon they notice what a very special person he is, even though he can't do everything his brothers can.
     When Prince Noah disarms the cruel knight Scarface with an act of compassion, everyone finally realizes how good it is that each person is unique.
     This delightfully illustrated fairy tale for children three years and older instills appreciation for children with Down syndrome and other developmental challenges, making it a valuable aid for teaching acceptance in the home or classroom.
     There are children who are slower, who can't run so well, who can say just a few words or none at all.  Each of them belongs in our world and enriches it.

REVIEW:  Even though my children are older, this book piqued my interest.  When we don't understand something or meet someone different from us, we try to put them in a box.  But, there are those who just knock out the sides of that box with their insight, love and compassion.  Prince Noah is one of those people.  Everything about him is different but different is good.  When the scary Scarface comes to take over the kingdom, Prince Noah uses the compassion given to him to change Scarface for the better.  I loved this book and hope to share it with everyone with little or big kids.  May we all be accepting and blessed by the Prince Noah's we meet.

This book was provided by Handlebar and Plough Publishing House for review

without compensation. 

Silke Schnee is a journalist and works as a television producer for a public broadcaster in Cologne, Germany.  She is married and has three sons.  Her youngest son Noah was born in July, 2008 with Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome).  She writes, "At first when Noah was born, we were shocked and sad.  The catalyst for this book was witnessing the effect he had on many people, despite being categorized as disabled.  In fact, our little prince brings much love, joy and sunshine not only to us, but to all around him.  Children as a wonder, and we must see them with the eyes of our heart - each child just the way he or she is."

Heike Sistig studied special education and art and is a trained art therapist.  She works as an editor for children's television programming.  She has illustrated several children's books, and has exhibited her collages in several galleries.  She lives with her family in Cologne, Germany.