Just Because

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 www.rebeccaelliott.com

'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