I Am Not a Label

Love this book full of some remarkable people and full of so much information

It wasn't the easiest to read on my device so I will 100% be purchasing a physical copy of this as my daughter was fascinated

I Am Not a Label by Cerrie Burnell shares mini biographies of amazing people, past and present, highlighting their achievements and the challenges they have overcome.

It is great to see more representation in children’s books so that more children may see themselves in what they read and to promote diversity and inclusion. This is a really important, inspiring book and one that should be shared widely. It reinforces the message that it is ok to be different and it is something to be celebrated: “we all have a place in the world and we are enough, just as we are.”

Those with disabilities are often not the forefront of stories, meaning that children with disabilities don't have hero figures just like them. Sadly, those with disabilities are also commonly defined by their disability by others in society due to ignorance.

It is for these reasons why Cerrie Burnell wrote this book. In I Am Not a Label, we explore 34 people who have lived, or are living, extraordinary lives and yet have a disability.

This is a truly wonderful book, which allows children to learn about people who have succeeded despite living with a disability. Despite being an adult, I learnt so much from this book. The text is detailed enough yet clear for children to understand, although there are many people who I have gone on to research more about.

Not only mind-opening, but also a step in the right direction to remove prejudices. Overall, I would highly recommend all to read this book.

This book is so much more than I expected it to be. It is an anthology of tales about people with disabilities and differences, who have led/leads fascinated lives and overcome the prejudices and misconceptions they have faced in society. It includes icons from the past such as Beethoven, Frida Kahlo, Stephen Hawking, and Abraham Lincoln to current persons such as Nabil Shaban, Peter Dinklage, and Demi Lovato, and more, explaining in a story that fits the page detailing what they've achieved.

I found it very interesting as there were people in the book whose struggles I was unaware of. Its a great way to educate and inspire young minds and challenge the preconceptions of disability and mental health. It is full of detailed illustrations and the text on each page is written in a way to suit children.

There are 34 illustrated biographies about individuals who have owned their differences. Fabulous book!

I received an advanced copy of this e-book to read and review. Thank you NetGalley, the author and publishers for this opportunity.

Inclusive, diverse & challenging anthology of biographies, profiling 34 incredible individuals with a disability. From historical icons inc. Kahlo, Beethoven & Hawking to current figures-Peter Dinklage, Demi Lovato & Lady Gaga, a must have for KS2+ classrooms! Beautifully illustrated too, with lots to spot in each double-page spread and a handy glossary at the end. Highly recommend, I can't wait to use this with my own class.

I Am Not a Label is an inspirational book! I love everything about it; the illustrations and the colour palette is gorgeous! Exploring many incredible people with challenges will teach children a lot, and I can see how it would help many people. Amazing book!

What am absolutely stunning book!! I can see that this is an absolutely spot on book for children and am looking forward to getting my hands on a physical copy!

I Am Not a Label introduces a whole host of artists, scientists, sports stars and more who have made an impact on our lives today. The thing linking each of the people featured is that they each have a disability or mental illness that they have not allowed to hold them back. Recognising the impact they have made and their successes, each double page spread features an illustration and a short biography meaning that this book can be consumed in one sitting, or dipped into across a longer period. Covering figures from across the globe and all walks of life, there is something in this book for everyone.

As a child, Cerrie Burnell read stories but never found a character that looked like her. Born with one hand, she knows the importance of reading books where you feel represented, as she says, ‘representation matters’. To ensure that every child can see someone who looks just like them she has created a very important and relevant book that showcases a wonderful collection of disabled people.

Discover the true stories of thirty-four individuals who have overcome various obstacles and challenges in life to achieve personal goals and to be amongst the best in their chosen fields. From scientists to athletes, astronomers to musicians, lawyers to comedians. Having a disability does not define your life, you define your life, and with the right attitude anything is possible as these men and women prove…

In I am Not a Label, Cerrie Burnell introduces readers to thirty-four disabled people from the past right up until the here and now. It is a wide ranging collective of individuals of different races from all over the world and who have made names for themselves as scientists, authors, mathematicians, athletes, lawyers, writers, activists, explorers, presidents, musicians, actors, models and designers. Burnell profiles individuals with a range of disabilities including deafness, blindness, spina bifida, osteomalacia (a bone weakening condition), autism, limb impairment, cerebral palsy, fibromyalgia and Down Syndrome. The well-known names of Stephen Hawking, Beethoven, Stevie Wonder and Frida Kahlo sit alongside the lesser known ones of Eliza Suggs, Nabil Shaban, Catalina Devandas and Arunima Sinha. Importantly for young readers, there are famous faces that are relevant to their lives and they may well be surprised to learn that popular icons including magician Dynamo and musicians Lady Gaga and Demi Lovato have disabilities.

Through powerful stories, Burnell challenges reader’s ideas about disability and shows that incredible things can be achieved in all manner of circumstances. She does an exceptional job of showing that disabled people can live rich and rewarding lives just as much as their able-bodied counterparts and that is a wonderful message to deliver to readers of any age.

Twenty five individuals are given double page spreads and feature length profiles. A further nine individuals are grouped in triplets under seperate headings and include shorter profiles and smaller illustrations: Hidden Disabilities features Dynamo, Lil Wayne and Michelle Akers; Paralympic Stars features Jonas Jacobsson, Trischa Zorn and Ade Adepitan; Mental Health features Abraham Lincoln, Matt Haig and Demi Lovato. The feature length profiles are superb and are as unique as each of the individuals, sharing details on childhood, growing-up, accomplishments, achievements and legacy - many will leave readers wanting to find out more. Colourful artwork fills the pages and an awesome illustration of the individual doing what they do best features on the opposite page to the profile.

Exceptionally well-presented, expertly researched and bursting with incredible true stories; this is more than just a book of inspirational stories about people with disabilities. It is a book about people who would, and should, not be defined by their disability but by their achievements. With an introduction that is worth the money alone, Burnell has produced a very special book that every child should have the opportunity to read.

Recommended for 9+.

With huge thanks to Cerrie Burnell and Wide Eyed Editions for the advanced reader copy that I received via NetGalley.