Kellie Greenwald

Kellie Greenwald is a first time author and as well as writing this book, she did all the vibrant, bold illustrations it contains.

We learn a number of things about Kellie in this, her memoir. After her father retired and published a book about his career, she decided that she wanted to to the same and spent 2 years working on this book. We learn that she is 29 years old, the younger sister of Doug, the daughter of Carla and Hank. Her father was once a broadcaster for the Yankees and then the Giants, and Kellie, having spend a lot of time in baseball stadiums growing up, counts a number of famous players among her friends. She has held a couple of different jobs. She loves to sing and play guitar, to cook for her friends, to swim and play baseball, to spend time with her family. She loves to go on vacation and to go to good restaurants. She loves her cat. And she love her art.

Oh, and yes, Kellie was born with Down Syndrome.

To quote Dr. Corinne R. Smith, Former Dean of Education at Syracuse University, from the foreword; “Kellie's Book is a source of hope for families of children with disabilities. It is a testament to the fact that when children know they are utterly loved and supported, there is no end to what they can achieve and no end to what they give back by uplifting the lives of those around them....In this book, Kellie teaches us to view her as a person first, and not to judge her by her disability, and that differences among people are, after all, what makes like so interesting and makes the world go around.”

This is a book that both children and adults can enjoy and I think it would be an excellent book for a parent or teacher to share with their kids and then discuss the issues raised by Kellie's experiences. The text of the book is simple and direct and moving; the illustrations are bold and colorful and sometimes striking. Her cat Sweet Pea, with his two different colored eyes, her deceased grandmother, to whom she dedicates the book, herself as a baby in her mother' arms and my personal favorite, a brilliant red heart, surrounded with vibrant stripes of color, accompanying these words of Kellie,
“Love is a good feeling.
Our hearts will be the same.
My heart is sensitive and soft, filled with love.
Sharing our hearts creates love and makes love.”… (altro)