Mazie wears an eyepatch and a head scarf, and on her first day at a new school, she’s prepared for her classmates to wonder why. And they do, but no one talks to her about it. Instead, wild rumors fly around the classroom that she’s a pirate or a dragon burned off her hair! Mazie doesn’t mind explaining her disability, but can she find the courage to tell the other kids to just ask her?
This clever and heartfelt picture book explores the importance of acknowledging and discussing disabilities by asking nicely.
Mazie’s classmates come up with some outrageous stories about her. My favorite was that a fire-breather burped, and her hair burned off. The problem is that the kids made up stories like Mazie isn’t even there. Asking someone directly is much less rude than making up stories about what might have happened.
In full disclosure, I think it’s perfectly reasonable that the other kids first thought about Mazie was ‘pirate’. You see someone wearing an eye patch, and your mind immediately goes to pirates.
This story is based on the author’s own childhood experience. Be sure to read the author’s list of things you can do to be supportive of people with disabilities. My favorite part was this question at the end:
What kind of things do you wish other people just asked about you?
The main thing I would like to be asked is, “Is the music too loud?” And when the answer is yes, followed by, “Do you want me to turn it down?” And for them to turn down the volume when I say yes.