📘 Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You
Words by Sonia Sotomayor; Illustrated by Rafael López
Genre/Category: Picture Book / Differences & Disabilities
Target Age Group: Ages 5–9
Format Read: Physical Copy
🌀 Plot Summary (1–2 Sentences)
In this empowering picture book, Sonia Sotomayor shares her own experience with diabetes and introduces readers to a diverse group of children with different abilities and challenges. Each child explains how they navigate the world in their own unique way, encouraging young readers to be curious, kind, and unafraid to just ask questions about differences.
✅ Why I Chose This Book
I chose Just Ask! after browsing children’s books about disabilities and differences on Goodreads, what first caught my attention was the beautiful cover filled with flowers. I also appreciated the simplicity of the title. “Just Ask” is something I can relate to personally, whenever I’m unsure about something, I tend to ask someone for help or look it up online. That message of curiosity and understanding really resonated with me.
🔍 Evaluation
1. Illustrations
Rafael López’s illustrations are vibrant, full of nature elements like colorful flowers, trees, pots, and leaves, each different in shape and size, mirroring the story’s celebration of diversity. I especially loved how the illustrations support visual learners. For example, there's a clear image of Nolan raising his hand in a “stop” gesture to a squirrel offering him a nut, visually explaining his nut allergy. Or Julia, who’s shown with one eye closed to hint at her Tourette’s Syndrome. These small but important details make the story more accessible and relatable. The artwork also brings out the children's personalities, like the dinosaur-shaped shrubs for Jordan or the wheel tracks left by Anthony, who loves to zoom around in his wheelchair.
2. Style and Language
One of my favorite parts of this book is its cadence. After Sonia’s introductory message, the story follows a comforting and predictable rhythm: each child introduces themselves, shares what makes them different, asks a question to the reader, and then transitions smoothly into introducing the next character. This structure helps young readers stay engaged while also making space for each voice. Even though the book has more text than some others in its category, it never feels overwhelming thanks to the way it's paced and broken up.
3. Tone and Mood
The tone of Just Ask! is cheerful, open, and empowering. Disabilities and differences are often approached with seriousness or discomfort, but this book chooses to highlight them with warmth and positivity. Instead of treating these traits as obstacles, Sotomayor and López show them as just one part of each child’s identity. The bright visuals and uplifting language create a welcoming mood that encourages empathy, curiosity, and pride.
📚 Reference
Sotomayor, S., & López, R. (Illustrator). (2019). Just ask! Be different, be brave, be you. Philomel Books.