About This Book
Reach for this book when your child expresses curiosity or fear regarding someone with a significant physical difference or visible injury. It is a powerful tool for moving beyond the initial shock of 'seeing' a disability to understanding the person beneath. Michael Morpurgo gently explores the complex feelings of a young boy who is intimidated by his grandfather's severe burn scars from World War II. As Michael spends summers with his grandfather, the story shifts from apprehension to deep connection. The book models how to ask difficult questions with grace and how family secrets can create distance that only empathy can bridge. Ideal for children ages 9 to 12, this story provides a safe space to discuss historical trauma, physical resilience, and the importance of looking past first impressions to find the heart of a person.
