Just Because

'My big sister Clemmie is my best friend. She can't walk, talk, move around much, cook macaroni, pilot a plane, juggle or do algebra. I don't know why she doesn't do these things. Just because.' This heartwarming picture book tells of a brother's love for his sister. He is so enthusiastic about just how loving and special she is, and delights in telling us about all the fun things they do together. Only as his tale unfolds does the reader begin to realize that his sister has special needs...and by then we just accept as he does all the wonderful things about her. This amusing and often touching story encompasses the issue of disability in a charming celebration of sibling friendship to which all children can relate.

“"This delightful, warm, beautifully illustrated picture book deserves a place on every bookshelf."”

'A truly lovely book. It is indeed for all readers, all children and all adults. It shows children what's possible and it puts adults in a position in which we can see and understand everyone, not just the so-called able-bodied. It's fun, it's rhythmic, it's thoughtful. It's not simply or only 'worthy' - though it is the best kind of worthy - it has a poetry about it.' Michael Rosen, Children's poet and former Children's Laureate 'This delightful, warm, beautifully illustrated picture book deserves a place on every bookshelf.' Jacqueline Wilson, Children's author and former Children's Laureate 'A book that deserves a place in every library and school in the country!' Joy Court, Chair of the Youth Librarians' Group 'The just because" approach is excellent because it recognizes difference without having to understand why, and acknowledges the unconditional acceptance and love that exists between siblings. Against this backdrop, it can really help children to learn and understand more about disability. The images are charming and I can see this book being genuinely helpful for many families with a disabled child or relative, as well as in pre-school and primary school settings.' Dame Clare Tickell, Chief Executive of Action for Children '[A] thoughtful picture book to meander through together... This warm, colour-saturated, loving story is a treasure for all readers.' Carousel 'A gorgeous tale of sibling affection. Just Because is brimming with love and warmth, and Rebecca Elliott's illustrations are superb too. Highly recommended. 4.5 Stars' Bookbag [This] is a book of great strength and subtlety and it comes as no surprise to find that Clemmie and her brother are based in Elliott's own children, thus their story is told be an author-illustrator who knows them and their lives intimately. In these pages Elliott explores what it is that makes someone loveable and we with her characters find that it is 'just because' In using the child narrator and setting up 'just because' as the refrain that is the answer to seemingly impossible questions and situations, Elliott has found a way to bring a luminous clarity to the fact that there isn't an answer to disability, just as there aren't answers to so many of the important things in life. When Clemmie's brother says something is 'just because' we get a sense of positive acceptance, a sense that sometimes we can appreciate something without understanding it fully. The text is spare and the illustrations are quite dreamy, very bright with an exuberance and energy conveyed through big brush strokes, which carries the disarmingly thoughtful narrative perfectly. Colourful and attractive, this is one for every bookshelf, in the library, at school and home.A" The School Librarian

Rebecca Elliott is an author-illustrator who has won several awards andbeen nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal. Her children, Toby, Clemmieand Benjy, often star in her books. Her website is

'My big sister Clemmie is my best friend. She can't walk, talk, move around much, cook macaroni, pilot a plane, juggle or do algebra. I don't know why she doesn't do these things. Just because.' Just Because tells of a brother's love for his sister. He is so enthusiastic about just how loving and special she is, and delights in telling us about all the fun things they do together. Only as his tale unfolds does the reader begin to realise that his sister has special needs... and by then we just accept as he does all the wonderful things about her. Rebecca Elliott's heart-warming picture book, much celebrated for its touching and sensitive approach to introducing the issue of disability to young children through a charming celebration of sibling friendship, is now more accessible to a younger audience. In a sturdy board book format, Just Because will withstand story time after story time, the chunky pages are easier for little children to turn themselves, and it can certainly survive being shared between siblings! Awards: 2011 JUNIOR MAGAZINE DESIGN AWARDS Most Promising New Talent - SHORTLISTED 2011 NASEN AWARDS (National Association of Special Education Needs) Inclusive Children's Book of the Year - SHORTLISTED 2011 NURSERY WORLD AWARDS Three to Fives New Launch - FINALIST 2010-11 PEOPLE'S BOOK PRIZE Children's Book of the Year - FINALIST Reviews: 'A truly lovely book. It is indeed for all readers, all children and all adults. It shows children what's possible and it puts adults in a position in which we can see and understand everyone, not just the so-called able-bodied. It's fun, it's rhythmic, it's thoughtful. It's not simply or only 'worthy' - though it is the best kind of worthy - it has a poetry about it.' Michael Rosen, Children's poet and former Children's Laureate This delightful, warm, beautifully illustrated picture book deserves a place on every bookshelf.' Jacqueline Wilson, Children's author and former Children's Laureate 'A book that deserves a place in every library and school in the country!' Joy Court, Chair of the Youth Librarians' Group

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