Description:The Nancy's Book Corner logo is shown, featuring a hanging sign tilted at an angle, surrounded by books.
Narrator: Nancy's Book Corner, a read aloud of children's books that introduce disabilities and celebrate differences.
Description: Nancy Trush is sitting down with a book in her hands. Next to her on the left is a bookshelf featuring various children's books and a potted plant. On her right is a small endtable covered in stuffed animals.
Nancy: Hi. Welcome back to "Nancy's Book Corner." I'm Nancy Trush, co-founder of Daniel's Music Foundation and Daniel's mom. As an early childhood educator, one of my favorite things to do is to share special books about differences with my students. The title of today's book is Emma's Awesome Summer Camp Adventure, written by Amy and Grace Webb, and illustrated by Merilee Liddiard.
Nancy: Emma is going to summer camp for the very first time, and she can't wait to explore, play, and make new friends. At camp, Emma meets children who are all different. Some kids move differently, some speak in new ways, and some quiet time more than games. But everyone has something special to share. Through her experiences, Emma learns that being different is what makes camp so much fun, and that everyone belongs when we all play and learn together. Let's get started.
Nancy: "I'm so excited for camp, shouted Emma as she and her best friend Charlie were driving to summer camp for the very first time. I hear there is a lake with canoes, said Charlie. I hear there is an awesome craft cabin, said Emma. I can't wait to sleep in a bunk bed, said Charlie. And it's all accessible, said Emma." When something is accessible, it can be entered or used by a person with the disability.
Description: Watercolor illustration of Emma driving up to camp with her friend and mother. They are riding through the woods in a yellow van, with luggage on top.
Nancy: "As they pulled up to camp, Emma and Charlie gasped. They saw a lake, canoes, a pool, and more. Emma also noticed ramps to the cabins, accessible seats, and smoothly paved trails." Emma has limb differences, which means she was born without arms, and she also uses a wheelchair to get around. Wheelchairs can't go up and down stairs, but Emma can go up and down a ramp with her wheelchair.
Description: Watercolor illustration of Emma and her group getting out of their van, followed by a view of the camp landscape, containing several cabins with red roofs. A little canoe is in a pond in the middle, surrounded by green pine trees.
Nancy: "As they got out of the car, two camp counselors welcomed them. Hi, I'm Judy, and this is Jim. We're going to be your counselors at camp waterfall this week. Emma wheeled into her cabin and saw kids of all abilities and plenty of space for wheelchairs. Gather around everyone, said Judy. It's time to learn the camp waterfall cheer, we're awesome, unique and one of a kind. Stronger together, leave no one behind. Here at the place called Camp Waterfall, we're all for inclusion, inclusion for all.
Description: Watercolor illustration of Emma and Charlie greeting the counselors, one of whom was using a wheelchair. In the next illustration, they are inside the cabin with the counselor and other campers, some of whom also were using wheelchairs.
Nancy: Charlie and Emma learned all about their new cabin mates. Engracia loved doing theater and hope to be an actor someday. Kitty loved to sing and she was excited to go swimming. Bradley enjoyed gaming and playing wheelchair basketball. Aaron planned to be a geologist when they grew up. They also enjoyed playing the piano." A geologist is a scientist that studies the Earth and what it is made of.
Description: Watercolor illustrations showing the campers performing the activities described. Engracia is dressed up in Shakespearean clothing, Kitty is singing in front of a microphone stand, Bradley is shooting a basket while sitting in his wheelchair, and Aaron is examining a rock, behind a table featuring other minerals and rocks.
Nancy: "Camp was the best. In the next few days, Emma, Charlie, and their new friends played games, did crafts, went swimming, and laughed until their cheeks hurt.
Nancy: One day, It was their group's turn to do the zip line. Some kids use the harness and some kid used the accessible seat. Emma was excited for her turn. That is, until she was at the very top, looking down. Suddenly Emma felt afraid."
Description: Watercolor illustration of Emma sitting in a harness, preparing to ride the zip line. She is looking back at the counselor and her friends, and appears afraid.
Nancy: A zip line is a fun way to travel using a special cable. It's like a fast slide through the air. Emma was sitting in her accessible seat getting ready to go down the zip line when she looked down and suddenly realized how high she was and felt afraid. Have you ever felt afraid when trying something for the first time? I know I have.
Nancy: "Bradley could tell that Emma was scared. It's OK, Emma. It's scary to try new things, but you're safe. You can do it. Emma wasn't so sure. She was about to get down when Bradley said, do you want me to ride on the zip line next to you? We can go together. Emma smiled in relief. The other kids chanted, stronger together, stronger together. As Emma and Bradley flew down the zip line, she felt a surge of excitement. That was the best. Thanks for going with me. I can't wait to go again, Emma said."
Description: Watercolor illustration of Emma preparing to ride the zip line with her friend Bradley, who is smiling and offering comfort. Emma is smiling and appears more relaxed. On the next page, they are shown riding down the zip line and having fun.
Nancy: Bradley was being a good friend. That's what friends are for. We help each other and offer support when needed. With Bradley's help, Emma had the courage to go down the zip line and had a great time.
Nancy: "The next day, everyone gathered to go on a hike. Emma knew that the trails were wheelchair accessible, but she quietly wondered if the hike would be accessible for everyone. When they reach the trail, Kitty grabbed a hold of a rope along the path. I'm so glad they have a Braille trail here, she said.
Description: Watercolor illustration of Emma preparing her backpack for her hike. On the floor in front of her are various supplies she will need. In the next page, we see her on the trail with her friends. In front, Kitty is reading a braille sign.
Nancy: Emma watched as Kitty made her way along the trail. Then they got to a sign with both written words and Braille that described the landscape around them. As Kitty's fingers traveled over the Braille, Emma felt so glad that Camp Waterfall believed in inclusion for all."
Nancy: Kitty is visually impaired, so she uses Braille to read. People that are blind or have low vision and cannot read the words on the sign can use Braille. Kitty runs her fingertips over a pattern of bumps and dots that stand for letters of the alphabet. The letters are put together to make words. That is how kitty is able to read the sign.
Nancy: "As the week continued, campers were getting excited for the end of camp talent show. I'm going to do a dramatic monologue, said Engracia. I'm going to sing, said Kitty. And Aaron is going to accompany me on the piano. What about you, Bradley? Asked Emma. I don't know. He said. I love to dance, but I just don't know if I can do it.
Description: Watercolor illustration of Emma and her friends preparing to share their respective talents. In the following page, Emma is sitting next to Bradley, consoling him.
Nancy: Of course, you can. The stage is accessible, said Emma. No, laughed Bradley. I mean, I'm scared to dance in front of everyone. I don't really know if I'm doing it right. There's no right or wrong way to dance, said Emma. What if we all danced with you? Dancing is for everybody and for every type of body. Remember, we're awesome, unique, and one of a kind. Stronger together. Leave no one behind. Here at the place called Camp Waterfall, where all for inclusion, inclusion for all.
Nancy: The night of the talent show, Bradley and the rest of cabin five got on the stage to perform their routine. They all brought their best ideas and best dance moves. As the audience clapped and cheered, they turned on more music and everyone at Camp Waterfall danced together, each in their own awesome, unique, and one of a kind way."
Description: Watercolor illustration showing Emma and the other campers dancing and smiling.
Nancy: I hope you enjoyed Emma's Awesome Summer Camp Adventure, a book that teaches us that the best adventures happen when we're kind, curious, and include everyone. I look forward to sharing another story with you again real soon. Goodbye
Description: [MUSIC PLAYING] The Nancy's Book Corner logo is shown, featuring a hanging sign tilted at an angle, surrounded by books.
Narrator: Thanks for Watching. To learn more, visit Danielsmusic.org, and subscribe to Daniel's Music Foundation on YouTube.