GENRE: Diverse, Character Driven, SEL
WORDS: 367
Query:
Dear Judges, Editors and Agents,
Thank you for participating in this year’s PBParty. I am pleased to submit RUBY’S SUNSHOWER ROMP: A DOWN SYNDROME SLICE OF LIFE. This 367-word story about a young girl’s journey to find comfort and courage in the face of fear, is based on my little sister, Amy, who has Down syndrome.
Thunderstorms scare Ruby. She rocks to a rhythm that soothes; eyes shut tight. “Go away b-b-big Boomies! I can’t see you. I c-c-can’t hear you.” When a friendlier sunshower drops from the sky, Ruby must choose between the loneliness of watching her big brother Jack revel in the rain and the delight of joining in.
Ruby’s story is inspired by my younger sister. People with Down syndrome are said to have their own unique groove: Rhythm, routines and rituals they practice throughout their day. One’s groove can provide comfort in an unpredictable world. While my story portrays a character with Down syndrome, most of us can relate to Ruby’s anxiety, fear of storms, and how she attempts to face that fear. The gifts of patience, acceptance, humor and compassion bless our family with my sister at its heart.
Celebrating the love shared between siblings, RUBY’S SUNSHOWER ROMP shares themes with Christina Dendy’s Hide and Shh! yet offers a closer look at the internal struggle between fear and risk. Like Debbie Zapata’s Up and Adam, RUBY’S SUNSHOWER ROMP highlights a person with Down syndrome’s groove but also includes sign language throughout the story and back matter to empower readers to practice kindness and encouragement of others. RUBY’S SUNSHOWER ROMP combines the fear and excitement of Gaia Cornwall’s Jabari Jumps with an outdoor STEM adventure.
My graduate work in psychology and communication has influenced my interest in writing stories with social-emotional themes. Through my membership in SCBWI, I participate in a regional critique group and co-chair our shop talk programming. In addition, my experiences in the 12 x 12 Picture Book Challenge, Picture Book Summit and Storystorm have been invaluable.
RUBY’S SUNSHOWER ROMP was read for accuracy by a pediatrician specializing in Down syndrome. I have additional picture book manuscripts, should you be interested. Thank you for this consideration.
Excerpt:
Storms scare Ruby.
In the rumbling and roaring, Ruby feels uneasy, worried—AFRAID.
“B-b-big Boomies?” she stutters.
Her brother, Jack, distracts her. “Let’s bake cookies.”
“Hmmmmm,” she hums, rocking to a rhythm that soothes.
Ruby’s way—slow and steady.
Ruby places dough balls on a pan the same distance apart.
She flattens each one the same thickness.
Her hand brushes over her heart.
[Sign Language]
But then…
Whoosh,
Roar,
Crack!
What inspired you to write this story & what do you have in common with it:
My younger sister forever changed the essence of our family in remarkable ways. I even see her influence in my own children; Aunt Amy has taught them about patience, kindness, acceptance and the joy in noticing wonder. People with Down syndrome are said to have their own groove—their way of coping with and viewing life. I believe we all have a groove. Amy’s fear of thunderstorms inspired this story, highlighting most everyone’s desire to have both feelings of safety and excitement in our lives. I hope it will serve as a mirror and window story for many.
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