What Happened to You?

By James Catchpole, Karen George (illustrator),

Book cover of What Happened to You?

Book description

The first ever picture book addressing how a disabled child might want to be spoken to.

What happened to you? Was it a shark? A burglar? A lion? Did it fall off?

Every time Joe goes out the questions are the same . . . what happened to his leg?…

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Why read it?

2 authors picked What Happened to You? as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

This book is awesome because often when children see someone who is different from them, they ask a question that can be considered rude or hurtful without them meaning to be rude or hurtful. They are just being curious. This book shows how that sort of question can be hurtful and shows children another more important way to interact with someone who is different and that is with empathy.

From Wanda's list on kids with disabilities.

The main character in this picture book is a disabled child – Joe. He may only have one leg, but he still likes to play! Dressed as a pirate, he fends off imaginary sharks with ease. Pirate Joe’s problem is the other kids’ incessant questioning: What happened to you?

The expressive illustrations speak volumes and clearly portray Joe’s feelings. This makes What Happened to You? a powerful picture book – it enables kids to step into someone else’s shoes (or in Joe’s case, shoe) and feel what they feel. It’s a fun and tender story that teaches readers not to…

From Tim's list on for teaching kids empathy.

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Interested in amputation, empathy, and disability?

Amputation 12 books
Empathy 163 books
Disability 55 books