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 Joyfully Josie, written by Nicole Zeitzer Johnson and illustrated by David Concepcion.
Nancy: Joyfully Josie is a delightful book that tells the story of a spirited and curious young girl named Josie, who has FOXG1 syndrome, a rare disease that affects her brain and makes it hard for her to do certain things like talking and moving. Even though she has unique differences, Josie loves to explore the world around her with a sense of joy and wonder. Josie's enthusiasm lights up the lives of the people close to her.
Nancy: Through her experiences, Josie teaches us about inclusion and encourages children to feel comfortable asking questions to children who may look different. Let's get started. "Meet Josie. Josie is just like other girls her age. She loves music, sunny days, and playing with her friends.
Nancy: But Josie is different from other kids in one big way. She was born with a rare disease called FOXG1 syndrome. FOXG1 syndrome causes many problems for children who are born with it. Josie is not able to walk, so she uses a special chair, called a wheelchair, to get around.
Description: Illustrations of a young girl using a wheelchair. She has brown hair tied into pigtails, and is joined by her mother, who has wavy brown hair.
Nancy: FOXG1 syndrome causes Josie to have disabilities. Abilities are things someone is able to do. Disabilities are things someone is not able to do.
Nancy: Josie is not able to talk. Josie is not able to walk. Josie is not able to sit up without falling over. She is disabled.
Nancy: One sunny day, Josie's mom takes Josie to the playground." Do you see Josie's mom pushing Josie in her wheelchair? "Josie sees the other children playing and laughing. The sound of their laughter makes Josie so happy. The more they laugh, the more Josie laughs, too.
Description: Illustration of Josie and her mother traveling to the playground, which is filled with children playing on various jungle gym equipment. Josie's mother is pushing Josie on her wheelchair.
Nancy: A little boy looks over when he hears Josie's laughter. He wants to join the fun, too. When he sees Josie's wheelchair, he gets a little nervous. But Josie flashes her big adorable smile as if she's saying, it's OK. Come say hi to me.
Nancy: Hi, I'm Steven. What's your name? Josie's mommy gives Josie a tray with a big blue button on it." Remember, we learned earlier that Josie has a rare disease called FOXG1 syndrome, so she is not able to speak.
Description: Illustration of a little boy with brown hair approaching Josie and her mother. Her mother, sitting next to Josie at a bench, puts a large blue button on the tray attached to Josie's wheelchair.
Nancy: I wonder what will happen when Josie pushes the big blue button. Let's find out. "Giggling, Josie hits the button, which says, 'Josie!' Josie. Your name is Josie. I'm so happy to meet you, says Steven. Josie, would you like to be friends?
Nancy: Josie's mom puts two new buttons on Josie's tray and then steps back so Josie can answer." One button is red and says no. One button is green and says yes. Do you think Josie would like to be Steven's friend?
Nancy: "Josie tries to hit the yes button, but she misses. Josie's mom explains to Steven, Josie has a rare disease called FOXG1 syndrome. It causes her to have some disabilities. For example, she is not always able to move her body the way she wants to.
Nancy: Steven smiles at his new friend. That's OK, Josie. Keep trying. Josie tries again. This time she hits the green button." Wow. Look at that big smile on her face. She looks really proud of herself.
Nancy: "Good job, Josie. Steven cheers. Instead of hitting a button. Josie uses a voice to say 'yeah!' She just learned to say 'yeah!' Josie's mom says, beaming with joy. Suddenly, the music from an ice cream truck fills the air. Yum! Ice cream, Steven says.
Description: Illustration of an ice cream truck, with several children lined up next to it to purchase ice cream.
Nancy: Josie, would you like an ice cream cone? This time, Josie doesn't hit a button. Josie's mommy shakes her head and says, Josie isn't able to eat food like we do. FOXG1 syndrome makes it too difficult to swallow safely.
Nancy: Josie is fed through this tube attached to her belly. Don't worry, it doesn't hurt. Steven says, you are so happy, Josie. Even with all your disabilities, you love to see the joy all around. From now on, I'm going to call you 'Joyfully Josie.' Is that OK?
Description: Wide illustration of the park, showing Josie and her mother with Steven, the playground, and the ice cream truck.
Nancy: Josie looked Steven right in the eye, and with just one try, she hits the green button. 'Yes!'" I hope you enjoyed Joyfully Josie, a book about celebrating acceptance, positivity, and the importance of living life to the fullest. I look forward to sharing another story with you again real soon. Goodbye.
Description: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.