Entertainment / Kids’ Reads: Jewel Kats

Kids’ Reads: Jewel Kats

Entertainment Mar 04, 2015

by Hillary Di Menna

Jewel Kats Writes Children's Stories About Social Justice And Opens Minds About Disabilities

Jewel Kats has written eight children’s fairy tales about disabilities, including Cinderella’s Magical Wheelchair, Reena’s Bollywood Dream and the recently released The Princess Panda Tea Party. Kats celebrates her own disability and uses her personal life experiences to let others know they aren’t alone. Recently, my seven-year-old daughter and I read these “Fairy Ability Tales.”

Reena's Bollywood Dream

Many parents are afraid to talk about sexual abuse with their children. Reena’s Bollywood Dream serves as a launching pad for these kinds of discussions and lets children know that abuse is never their fault. This is the of eight-year-old Reena, who dreams of becoming a Bollywood star. “Nice Indian girls — and that’s who you are — don’t grow up to become actresses,” her mother warns. Despite her family’s disapproval, Reena finds support from her uncle, Jessi. Though her confidant had been supportive, his support quickly becomes inappropriate.

The Princess Panda Tea Party

A cerebral palsy fairy tale, The Princess Panda Tea Party is Kats’s ninth book on the market. It tells the story of an eight-year-old girl named Michelle, who lives in an orphanage. Having no friends in the all-girl institution, Michelle finds a stuffed bear at a Salvation Army store. Panda Bear Princess comes to life and helps Michelle realize her dreams and how she can achieve them. With this story, children can learn positive lessons such as the power of affirmations and develop an appreciation for people with disabilities.

Cinderella’s Magical Wheelchair

Cinderella’s Magical Wheelchair is a Mom’s Choice Award–winning children’s book. Kats has read every version of the Cinderella story, but not one contained a heroine she could relate to — one with a disability. After five years of writing and rewriting, Kats faced rejection letters and discouraging comments, like how no one would buy a princess with a disability. Luckily, the story was eventually published and it continues to receive praise today. The result is the original Cinderella story with a modern twist, as well as a character whom children with physical disabilities can relate to.

Don't forget the author will be attending #ANOKHI12 this Saturday, March 28th along with a slew of other notable celebrities.
For more info on the 12th anniversary awards show visit: anokhimedia.com/12thanniversaryevent

_{All pictures courtesy of JewelKats.com}

Hillary Di Menna

Author

Hillary Di Menna is a freelance journalist who manages to publish her scribblings while raising a six-year-old skateboarding ballerina and sharing her home with two snuggly black cats. Her parenting blog, Misfit Matriarch, follow her adventures in parenting. You can find all her work at

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