Emmanuel's Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah

Emmanuel's Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah

by Laurie Ann Thomson    Illustrated by Sean Qualls

This post and the prior one, Last Stop on Market Street, were prepared in draft this past spring after visiting my granddaughters in Baton Rouge. A search for quality titles to take to them reaped the last one for Lucy (preschool) and this one for Evie (kindergarten). Summer time affords time to publish these wonderful stories selected as literature for building character. "Building character" is one way of saying that we are growing our potential for virtue throughout our entire lives.

Study the picture on the book cover with your child or students and pose questions such as: What is different about this boy? (one leg) How could he ride a bicycle with only one leg? (We'll have to read to find out!)

On the first page we meet the boy:

"In  Ghana, West Africa, a baby boy was born:

two bright eyes blinked in the light,

two healthy lungs let out a powerful cry,

two tiny fists opened and closed,

but only one strong leg kicked."

To preview this book, I suggest you do as I did and take a "look inside" on the Amazon website entry of this title. From the beginning of his story, the reader can see that Emmanuel's mother instilled the courage and determination that would flourish as he grew.

"As Emmanuel grew, 

Mama Comfort told him he could have anything, 

but he would have to get it for himself."

I was hooked after reading the editorial review from School Library Journal: 

"K-Gr 2—This powerful and winning picture book tells the story of a young man overcoming the odds. Born in Ghana with a deformed left leg, Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah experienced stigma as a result of his disability: his father abandoned the family, and many assumed that the boy would be little more than a burden. However, with the encouragement of his mother, Yeboah refused to give up, hopping to school (instead of walking) and even learning to play soccer and cycle, despite receiving no extra help or accommodations. Thompson's lucidly written text explains how Yeboah cycled 400 miles in 2001 to raise awareness, forever changing how Ghanaians perceived those with disabilities. The narrative is simply and clearly written, and the illustrations are skillfully rendered in charmingly emotive ink and watercolor collages. A brief author's note explains how Yeboah inspired legislation upholding equal rights for the disabled and how he continues to make strides, working with organizations that provide wheelchairs to those who need them and setting up a scholarship fund for children with disabilities. VERDICT This uplifting account will resonate with readers and supplement global and cultural studies. A triumph.—Kathryn Diman, Bass Harbor Memorial Library, Bernard, ME"

Of course, this picture book is for ALL ages. It was made into an inspiring documentary film narrated by Oprah Winfrey. At the onset of the trailer, viewers hear Emmanuel's voice:

"To set a goal is an honorable and noble thing to do. To complete a goal is even more noble." 

The clip ends with "Don't say...thank God I'm not like him, but say...perhaps I can be more like him."

Oprah then says, "This is the story of  boy who had nothing - but gave everything - and changed a nation forever."

The movie clip is 2:35 minutes long and would be appropriate to view with elementary and junior high students, hand-in-hand with the reading of the book. The full documentary is rated "G" and is 80 minutes long. Here is the you tube link for the clip. 

https://youtu.be/gB0BD5l8Ojc