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Shaila Abdullah
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My Friend Suhana (Growing with Love) Paperback – Illustrated, January 1, 2014

by Shaila Abdullah (Author), Aanyah Abdullah (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 103 ratings
See all formats and editions
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A True Story of Friendship and Winner of the Dolly Gray Children's Literature Award
Award-winning author and designer Shaila Abdullah teams up with her 10-year-old daughter Aanyah to bring you this heartwarming tale of a little girl who forms a close bond with a child with cerebral palsy. The girl finds that through her art, she can reach her special friend Suhana.

"My Friend Suhana is a delightful read for a children's book. Very well illustrated with respect, friendship, and advocacy all in mind at the same time."
--Dawn Cruzan, President, Camp Craig Allen for all abilities

"This is the story of a seven-year-old's first attempt at unconditional love. Tough but tender, inspirational yet utterly real, this is a small gem of a tale. Highly recommended for anyone in the position of mentoring a beloved child through the hard places of life."
--Paula Huston, author of A Season of Mystery and A Land Without Sin

"My Friend Suhana is a charming and perceptive book that will draw its readers into empathy while allowing them to enjoy this heartwarming story of two uncommon friends."
--Chitra Divakaruni, author of Grandma and the Great Gourd

Learn more at www.MyFriendSuhana.com
From the Growing With Love Series at www.LHPress.com

Previous page
  1. Reading age
    4 - 7 years
  2. Print length
    30 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Kindergarten - Preschool
  5. Lexile measure
    720L
  6. Dimensions
    8.5 x 0.06 x 8.5 inches
  7. Publisher
    Loving Healing Press
  8. Publication date
    January 1, 2014
  9. ISBN-10
    1615992111
  10. ISBN-13
    978-1615992119
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Are you a teacher or a parent looking for a resource to help foster understanding and acceptance of children with disabilities? We recommend My Friend Suhana, a lovely children's book written by a mother and daughter team. They have to be congratulated not only on their wonderful book but also for their eye-catching and informative web site."
--Lorna d'Entremont, Special Needs Book Review

"My Friend Suhana tells the story of a young girl who forms a close bond with another young girl with cerebral palsy, mirroring an encounter that the author's daughter, Aanyah Abdullah, had experienced while volunteering with her mother. Along with providing easy-to-understand
information about cerebral palsy for a younger audience, My Friend Suhana emphasizes that communication and friendship can occur in non-traditional ways."
--Children's Neurobiological Solutions

"My Friend Suhana is a delightful read for a children's book. Very well illustrated with respect, friendship, and advocacy all in mind at the same time."
--Dawn Cruzan, President, Camp Craig Allen for all abilities

"This is the story of a seven-year-old's first attempt at unconditional love. Tough but tender, inspirational yet utterly real, this is a small gem of a tale. Highly recommended for anyone in the position of mentoring a beloved child through the hard places of life."
--Paula Huston, author of A Season of Mystery and A Land Without Sin

"My Friend Suhana is a charming and perceptive book that will draw its readers into empathy while allowing them to enjoy this heartwarming story of two uncommon friends."
--Chitra Divakaruni, author of Grandma and the Great Gourd

About the Author

Shaila Abdullah is an author and designer based in Austin, Texas. She has written two award-winning books titled Saffron Dreams and Beyond the Cayenne Wall. Her books have been adopted by various colleges and universities. In her free time, she loves to run around with her children--Aanyah and Aaliyana.

Aanyah Abdullah is a creative and compassionate 10-year-old, who is drawn to children born with physical and mental disabilities. She volunteers at a special needs community center on occasion, and she dreams of establishing a special school for children with disabilities one day. Aanyah is known to always stand up for what is right and is--in her parents' and teachers' eyes--a perfect role model for her baby sister.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Loving Healing Press; Illustrated edition (January 1, 2014)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 30 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1615992111
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1615992119
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 4 - 7 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 720L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Kindergarten - Preschool
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.65 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.5 x 0.06 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 103 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Shaila Abdullah

Shaila Abdullah

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Noted as "Word Artist" by critics, Shaila Abdullah is an award-winning author and designer based in Austin, Texas. She is the author of five books: Saffron Dreams, Beyond the Cayenne Wall, My Friend Suhana, Rani in Search of a Rainbow, and A Manual for Marco. The author has received several awards for her work including the Golden Quill Award and Patras Bukhari

Award for English Language. Several academic institutions have adopted her books as course study or recommended reading, including the University of California, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Indiana University, Boston University, California State University, and George Washington University. Learn more about the author at www.ShailaAbdullah.com.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
103 global ratings
My Friend Suhana bedtime story to learn about Cerebral Palsy
5 Stars
My Friend Suhana bedtime story to learn about Cerebral Palsy
Did you ever read or have your parents read you bedtime’s stories like Pinocchio? This is a more realistic story about a girl named Suhana who has cerebral palsy. This book is a lot like "Can I tell you about Cerebral Palsy” by Marion Stanton but in a simple reading style to be read out loud to your children or to help children understand what it is like. Suhana has to learn how to do simple things we all take advantage of each day. If you know of anyone like I have that have been diagnosed with cerebral palsy this is great for learning and the hard work it takes to deal with the disease. This story will draw you in and make you feel empathy. I loved it! © 2016 Jackie Paulson
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Top reviews from the United States

Hope-Librarian
5.0 out of 5 stars Cerebral palsy and a friendship connection
Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2020
Verified Purchase
A young girl visits a community center once a week with her mom where she interacts with another young girl, Suhana, with cerebral palsy. We learn that Suhana can't move, talk, or play the way most kids can. She can wave her arms and legs and squeal, so the young girl is learning how to interpret her friend's actions. She seems to observe intently. In her effort to communicate, she draws pictures with colors she knows her friend likes. She hopes her friend's legs become strong enough to stand on someday, but she knows it might not happen. This is a touching story of a young girl who is trying to reach out and communicate with another as best she can. At the end of the book we learn a little more about cerebral palsy and the authors. This is an inspiring book and just right for the younger ones, but older kids could take note, too. Author Abdullah is a talented artist/designer, too. The pictures show us a friendly environment where the children's expressions show us clearly when there is laughter and when there is not. The environment is positive and supportive. It can be hard to know how to interact with someone with cerebral palsy. This book is a great starting point.
6 people found this helpful
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5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful friendship
Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2021
Verified Purchase
A beautiful book about love. It is written from a child’s perspective making it even better. I purchased this along with 2 other books to help my preschool class learn about children with different abilities. I cried reading it the first time and recommended it to everyone I know.
One person found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Love
Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2021
Verified Purchase
Love this book so much - it resonates with our fam!
One person found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2016
Verified Purchase
Very touching and wonderful story of a friendship between two girls, one of whom has cerebral palsy
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Julia Alejandre
5.0 out of 5 stars Opens the eyes of the reader.
Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2014
Verified Purchase
This book encourages all of us to be more open and loving with people of all ability levels. How wonderful !
One person found this helpful
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Kristi Bernard
4.0 out of 5 stars Kristi's Book Nook
Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2014
Children's picture books with stories about special needs children are a wonderful addition to any school or home library. Teaching children to respect those who are not like them will help them grow and be passionate, empathetic and open their minds to friendship, no matter what the circumstances.

Suhana is a little girl with cerebral palsy, which makes it difficult for her to move or speak. She expresses moods by making different sounds. Suhana has a friend. Her friend talks to her and draws pictures with beautiful colors just for her. Suhana does not answer her friend when she calls her and they have never had a play date, but for one hour each week she is held and rocked. Suhana's friend imagines that Suhana can walk and play and hopes that someday she will.

This heartfelt story shares what it would be like to have a friend with cerebral palsy. Parents, teachers and young readers will appreciate the stories purpose and enjoy the colorful illustrations depicting the moods of Suhana and the love and caring she receives from her friend. This story comes from the experiences of co-author 10 year old Aanyah Abdullah who has worked as a volunteer for children with disabilities at her local community center. Both authors have done an excellent job of educating us on how to be role models by opening our minds and hearts to the possibilities. Author Shaila Abdullah has books that have been adopted by various colleges and universities.
One person found this helpful
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Renee @ Mother Daughter Book Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring and heartwarming picture book about a special relationship
Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2014
My Friend Suhana is based on the true story of 10 year-old Aanyah Abdullah (one of the authors) and her friendship with a young girl who has cerebral palsy, Suhana. Aanyah and her mother Shaila volunteer on a weekly basis at a community center in a special needs class attended by Suhana. It is here where Aanyah and Suhana have forged their special friendship.

The reader is introduced to Suhana through Aanyah’s eyes who describes how Suhana is different from other girls her age in that she cannot stand, walk nor speak, nor does she communicate through language. However, what is so beautiful about this book is that the authors describe what Suhana IS capable of such as waving her arms and legs, rolling around, squealing with delight, clenching her fists in anger, and in a tender moment, Suhana reaching out to touch Aanyah’s hair – a small gesture but one with great significance.

I love this focus on highlighting for children all the ways a child with cerebral palsy has “abilities” rather than focusing on the “disability” and the things that are wrong. The other important consideration is teaching children the ways they can interact with and/or communicate with children who have a disability. My Friend Suhana does this so well. In the book, Aanyah describes how she hugs and tickles Suhana, draws pictures for her, and even is her cheerleader as she learns new skills. There is also an excellent section discussing how Suhana reacts to colors rather than words with certain colors associated with specific emotions (e.g., red for anger, blue for sad, etc.).

I really enjoyed the cheery, bright, and colorful illustrations. I really love the imagery in the text and pictures of the kite surrounded by stars as a metaphor for Suhana (the kite) and the people in her life who care for her (the stars). It was very touching. Finally, at the end of the book, there is a section discussing cerebral palsy and some basic facts about this condition as well as a note encouraging children to reach out to a child with a disability and forge new friendships. It was a great way to end the book!

My Bottom Line:

My Friend Suhana: A Story of Friendship and Cerebral Palsy is the heartwarming account of a special friendship forged between the young co-author (10 year-old Aanyah Abdullah) and a little girl, Suhana who has cerebral palsy. The book does a great job of focusing on the “abilities” of Suhana and provides guidance for children with regards to facilitating friendships with children who have a disability. This book would be a great resource in early elementary classrooms or in a school or public library. I highly recommend this book for ages 3+.

* I received a copy of this book free-of-charge from the author in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.
One person found this helpful
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Laurie
1.0 out of 5 stars Horrible Book
Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2021
Verified Purchase
Please do NOT buy this book. I bought this because it won an award for Children's Literature from the Dolly Gray Society. I don't know how these people judge books, but as a healthcare professional that works with children with disabilities, I found this book horrifying in their depiction of this population. The book focus' on everything that Suhana CAN'T do. It depicts her playing with baby toys, talks of her rolling on the floor and states "She can't even play". Please don't waste your money nor support this author
9 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Brandon
1.0 out of 5 stars Don't buy
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 29, 2020
Verified Purchase
Atrocious book, belittles disabled children and threw it in the garbage without even giving it to my neice
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