Emmanuel's Dream
Picture Book Read Aloud
book summary
Emmanuel’s Dream tells the true story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah. This is powerful picture book that tells the story of a young man overcoming adversity. Emmanuel was born in Ghana, West Africa with a deformed leg. Emmanuel was considered “useless” and “a curse,” but not by his mother, Comfort, who “had faith.” Despite his physical challenges, his mother taught him that he was capable of reaching for his dreams. As a boy, Emmanuel hopped to school more than two miles each way, learned to play soccer. He left home at the age thirteen to earn money for his family, Emmanuel even trained to become a cyclist. He rode an astonishing four hundred miles across Ghana in 2001, spreading his powerful message: disability is not inability. Emmanuel continued to raise awareness and change how people with disabilities were perceived.
suggested teaching point
Emmanuel’s Dream is a great book to use to discuss character traits. On page 5, discuss with readers how some people see Emmanuel as disabled. Ask readers “How Emmanuel see himself?” and “What evidence in the text supports their answer?”
Continue discussing character traits on page 7. The author tells us, “Emmanuel hopped to school and back, two miles each way, on one leg, by himself.” How does this action and others so far in the story show that getting an education was important to Emmanuel and his mother?
Additionally, on page 7 Mama Comfort believes that it is important for Emmanuel to be independent and to do things for himself. How does Mama Comfort encourage Emmanuel to be independent?
Looking for more teaching points for this book and other similar books? Check out more Interactive Read Aloud Lessons HERE.
