Arianna’s Magic Boots by Karen A. Gasperini

Arianna’s Magic Boots

By Karen A. Gasperini

Protagonist, five year old Arianna, starts her day the way most young children do: she stretches awake, has breakfast, brushes her teeth, and gets dressed to meet the day. Unlike many children, however, Arianna must also put on her AFOs, ankle-foot orthosis leg braces in order for her to be able to walk. She lives with a disability known as BEALS Syndrome that means she has severe scoliosis and clubfeet. Her AFO braces not only give her mobility, but also a sense of freedom so she decides they are her “Magic Boots.” If she stomps them three times and says, “Away we go!” her imagination turns time at physical therapy into an adventure.

Gasperini and her daughter, Arianna, both have BEALS Syndrome and decided to write about their struggles to encourage other children with disabilities and inspire all readers to follow their own dreams. This is a good book to include in any home, school, or public library.