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The Cage of the Different People

by Benjamin Valdivia, illustrated by Andrea Gabriel

44 pages

Alex is an eight-year old boy in California. Living in a busy city, he often sees airplanes in the skies, buses and cars on the roads, and people strolling on the sidewalks. He notices that just like the fascinating planes and cars, persons come in different forms. In school there are children who are very different from him. The children there have different colors of hair, skin, and eyes. There is even a variety of heights and personalities. But in a way they are all just like Alex. They have bright smiles and they are all fond of playing.

When Alex’s little sister Carla enters school, she ends up feeling sad and left out. Since she does not move as fast as the others do, children are putting her aside. Instead of helping her, they separate her from the games. Soon, she is forced to stay in a cage built by the school to keep her safe from the running and playing on the playground. This only makes Carla feel even more left out and different. But if all of us are different, why keep Carla apart? Can Alex make the other children see that everyone is different in his own way? Bond with your kids as you discover the answer in The Cage of the Different People: A Story of Brotherly Love.

11" wide, 8.5" tall.

For more info, see http://www.differentpeople.us/

Spanish version, La Jaula de los Diferentes, available soon!

Reviews:

“I learned that everybody is different.” — Rahul, age 7

“This book in a valuable resource for parents and educators who want to develop schools as caring communities where students succeed both academically and socially. At the end of the day, this book is about our shared diversity and interdependence.” — Marquita Grenot-Scheyer, Ph.D., Dean, College of Education, CSULB

“It speaks for all of us in this world. We have so many fences to tear down.” — Marsha Thicksten, Ph.D., Professor, CSULB

“I absolutely love your book! This simple but profound tool will not only open the eyes of many, it will touch the hearts and enlighten the minds of both young and older readers alike. It will facilitate chande through its beautiful depiction of appreciation for all; that is why we must get your masterpiece into the hands of every teacher and every home in the nation. I can’t wait to share it with my students and their families.” — Terri Wargo, Transition Teacher, LBUSD Adult Community Transition Program