Part 1

What's Wrong with Timmy?
by Maria Shriver

Book Description

All children ask questions that are difficult to answer. What then is the best response when a child points out that a disabled child or adult looks and acts “different”? How can a parent talk about differences while emphasizing the things all people have in common? In this book, remarkable for its sensitivity and generosity of spirit, Maria Shriver uses her storytelling art to provide some answers.

When 8-year-old Kate and her mother go to the park, Kate notices Timmy, a boy who looks and behaves differently from the other children she knows. Kate feels uneasy. Is there something “wrong” with Timmy? But when Kate's mom introduces her to Timmy, the seeds of a friendship are planted. Soon Kate and Timmy are laughing and playing together, and Kate learns that she and Timmy have a lot in common-that, in fact, there is nothing “wrong” with Timmy at all.

With a special insight that derives from her family's involvement with the rights of the disabled, Maria Shriver deepens our understanding as she introduces us to a terrific kid named Timmy, someone who wants what we all want-to be included and loved.

“Anytime children see children who look, talk, or act differently, their first question usually is, “What's wrong with them?” My hope is that this little book will help children understand that kids with disabilities are not to be feared, pitied, or ridiculed, but are to be embraced, challenged, and included. It is, I believe, one way to teach our children that no matter how we are born, we are all God's unique children.” -Maria Shriver

Part 1

Once upon a time there was a girl named Kate who was very curious. Curious about everything. Ever since she was little, she'd been asking her mom and dad about everything that interested her- from “How are babies born?” to “What's Heaven?” She wanted the answer to every question, and when she got it, she couldn't wait to share her new knowledge with her friends.

One day Kate and her mom went to the park, where Kate noticed someone she'd never seen before. She couldn't stop staring. She felt funny inside as she looked at a boy standing near her on the playground. He had brown hair like hers, freckles on his nose, and wore a T-shirt and shorts just like her brothers, but he somehow looked different. His face seemed flatter than other kids', and he wore glasses that sat crookedly on his face. His foot turned inward, and he walked with a slight limp. When he bounced his ball-as he was doing over and over - he just didn't do it as well as the other kids she knew.

A pretty woman sat close by on a park bench and joyfully watched the boy. Kate guessed the lady must be his mom because when the boy finished, she clapped and gave him a big hug. - The boy laughed and said proudly in a loud voice, “I can do it, I can do it, Mom!” Then he went back to bouncing his ball.

The boy's excitement fascinated Kate. She grew even more interested when her mother walked over to talk to the boy and his mom. The two women chatted for what seemed like hours. When her mother returned, Kate's words spilled out in a rush.

“Mom,” she asked, “who's that boy?”

“That's my friend Anne Potter and her son, Timmy,” replied Kate's mother. “Timmy and you were born one month apart in the same hospital. The Potters moved away after you were born and just moved back last week.”

Kate couldn't contain herself “Why does he seem so different?” What's wrong with Timmy? Kate's mother realized this was a very important question. So she sat her daughter down on the park bench and spoke to her the way she always did when she had something important to say- slowly, clearly, and calmly. ”When Timmy's mom was pregnant, everyone was so excited. But when he was born, there were a lot of tears.”

“Why?” asked Kate.

“Because Timmy was born different from you.” The doctor told his parents that their little boy was going to have disabilities and that he wouldn't be able to do all the things you and other kids can do. At first, Timmy's mom was so sad and overwhelmed. She felt like the dreams she'd had for her child would never come true. But as soon as she held Timmy in her arms and looked into his eyes, she fell in love with him just the way he was! She knew right then and there that if she loved him, he'd be the most wonderful child in the world, and that if she worked with him, together they'd build new dreams.

Text Copyright © by Maria Shriver
Illustrations copyright © 2001 by Little, Brown and Company (Inc.) and Warner Books, Inc.

About the Author

Maria Shriver, the first lady of California and one of television's most respected journalists, is the bestselling author of the picture books What's Heaven? and What's Wrong with Timmy? as well as Ten Things I Wish I'd Known-Before I Went Out into the Real World. She, her husband, and their four children live in Santa Monica, California.