Author(s): James Catchpole; Karen George (Illustrator); Lucy Catchpole

Feelings & Growth

Winner of the Inclusive Books for Children Picture Book Award 2024, shortlisted for the UKLA Book Awards and the LITTLE REBELS Book Award.

A funny, whip-smart, friendly picture book that asks readers to imagine how othering it would feel if strangers believed they had to compensate for a person's disability with every interaction.

When people meet Joe, they often treat him as Amazing Joe or Poor Joe. But can't he just be . . . Joe?

One-legged Joe is 'amazing'. He knows this because wherever he goes people always tell him he's amazing. Amazing for sliding down the slide, for kicking a ball . . . even walking to get an ice cream, or even just eating an ice cream. Of course, being Amazing Joe is better than being Poor Joe . . .

'This book should be in every library.' School Librarian Journal
'challenges the idea of disability as automatically "inspirational".' The Guardian
'funny, warm and informative.' The Bookseller
'A crucial contribution to literature for pre- and primary-schoolers.' Disability Arts Online