WELCOME TO FACES READING ROOM
FOR CHILDREN
Ava The Brava
Written and Illustrated by Allie Ekblad. Through words and pictures, this rhyming book for children shares the story of a big brother who vows to help his sister when she undergoes surgery to address her cleft lip and palate.
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Jack's New Smile: Having a Baby with Cleft Lip and Palate
Written by Ruth M Trivelpiece MEd (Author), Suzanne N West MSN (Author), Jennifer L Rhodes MD (Author) and illustrated by Brooke Nunez,
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Like Ava the Brava, this picture book was also written from the perspective of an older sibling of a cleft affected child and answers some of the curiosities that siblings may have.
This book is available through Amazon.
These Lips
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Written by Julie Cwir and illustrated by Olga Egorova
These Lips is a picture book that illustrates the ups and downs of the cleft journey in lyrical verse through the representation of young animals.
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This book is available through Amazon.
The Courage to Be Kind
Created by Jenny Levin and Rena Rosen
In The Courage to Be Kind, authors Jenny Levin and Rena Rosen teach children and parents how to act and respond when they see someone who looks different.
Why Me Mama?
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Written by Julie Katherine Lockwood and illustrated by Evgeniya Erokhina
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Similar to "These Lips", "Why Me Mama?" uses animals from the Public Garden park in Boston MA. These animals represent and explain different disabilities in a way that is easy for young children to understand
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This book is available through Amazon.
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Now is The Journey
Volume I
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Written by Vanessa Acero​
A transformative workbook with cleft or craniofacial conditions.
Acero blends clinical expertise with lived experience, it offers a compassionate path to self-acceptance and resilience.
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This book is available for pre-order here.
Wonder
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Written by R.J. Palacio​
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Wonder is a bestselling novel about Auggie Pullman, a boy with a Treacher Collins syndrome , who enters mainstream school for the first time.
Through multiple perspectives, the story explores kindness, empathy, and the power of choosing compassion over judgment.
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This book is available through Amazon.
FOR YOUNG ADULTS
Ride High Pineapple
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Written by Jenny Woolsey​
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Ride High Pineapple is an honest journal-style story about Issy Burgess, a thirteen-year-old navigating life with a facial difference while facing bullying, anxiety, friendship struggles, and first crushes.
With courage, creativity, and the pineapple as her guiding analogy, Issy discovers hope and strength in being herself.
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This book is available here.
Tales of Grace: A Different Me
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Written by Judy Ryan
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This first book of a four part series follows Grace Archer, an eleven-year-old returning to school after battling an appearance-altering cancer, as she faces bullies and struggles to find confidence.
Supported by family, friends, and faith, Grace’s story is about resilience, hope, and navigating life’s challenges.
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​This book is available through Amazon.
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Turtle Boy
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Written by M. Evan Wolkenstein
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Will Levine, a shy seventh grader, while preparing for his bar mitzvah steps far outside his comfort zone to complete a new friend, RJ’s wishes.
Through his bond with RJ, Will learns the power of friendship, courage, and truly living life.
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This book is available through Amazon.
World Enough and Time
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Written by Emma C Williams
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Fifteen-year-old Anna Jones, living with Goldenhar syndrome, faces the challenges of growing up while feeling different from her peers.
As she navigates stares, hospital visits, and her longing to be accepted, she must decide whether surgery can truly make her “normal” in this heartfelt and uplifting coming-of-age story.
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This book is available through Amazon.
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MEMOIRS
A Face for Me
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In the late 1960's, FACES: The National Craniofacial Association began as the Debbie Fox Foundation. Debbie, a young girl from Soddy Daisy, TN, was born in 1955 with a facial cleft.
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Click here for Free download.
A Face for Picasso
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Diagnosed with Crouzon syndrome as infants, twins Ariel and Zan endured countless painful surgeries while also facing the emotional weight of living with facial differences.
In this raw and powerful memoir, Ariel reflects on resilience, sisterhood, and redefining beauty in the face of adversity.
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This book is available through Amazon.
Beauty with a Twist: A Girl’s Journey to Hope, Healing & Restoration
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Written by Rasheera Dopson
A book that can be used to teach your children about inclusion, diversity, and interacting with individuals who are different from them.
This book is available through Amazon.
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FACE IT
Facial Disfigurement and My Fight for Face Equality
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Written by James Partridge
An honest memoir of the battle after severe facial burns; it’s a practical self-help guide for anyone with a facial difference and a manual for health professionals trying to help them. And, finally, it’s a manifesto for face equality, rooting out the stigmas of face-ism that oppress us all… and urging new face values in our 21st century world.
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This book is available here
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How I Learned To Rock My Life: The Peter Dankelson Story​
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Peter’s story illustrates living with Goldenhar syndrome, and overcoming adversity, while also highlighting his commitment to personal growth and musical pursuits.
The book documents his experiences, from 36 surgeries to performing with artists like Buckcherry and traces the rise of Pete's Diary, which has reached over 800,000 followers.
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This book is available here.
Maggie
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Written by Steve Doherty, the father of a child named Maggie, who was born with Apert syndrome. Maggie takes the reader on the adventure of having a child born with Apert syndrome with all of its ups, downs, trials, and triumphs. A true love story.
Normal: One Kid's Extraodrinary Journey
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In this uplifting and humorous memoir, Nathaniel and his mother, Magda, recount his childhood with Treacher Collins syndrome, including 67 surgeries before the age of 15, making friends, moving across the country, and overcoming various hardships.
Their story of resilience highlights the strength of their family and serves as a testament to families everywhere who persevere quietly but courageously.
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This book is available through Amazon.
Not All Heroes Wear Capes
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Born with Treacher Collins syndrome and abandoned at birth, Jono Lancaster shares his journey from self-doubt and hardship to finding self-love and happiness.
This inspiring memoir recounts the challenges he faced, the lessons he learned, and how he transformed his differences into strengths, offering a powerful message that anyone can become their own hero.
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This book is available through Amazon.
INFORMATIONAL TEXTS
Babyface:
A Story of Heart and Bones
By Jeanne McDermott, the mom of a son born with Apert syndrome. This book highlights the first two years of Nate's life, and expresses the thoughts and feelings that are a part of the journey of having a child who is born with a rare disorder. This is a book you will want to share with your friends and family members.
This book is available through Amazon
Children with Facial Difference:
A Parent's Guide
Written by Hope Charkins, MSW. Excellent resource for parents to help them cope with medical, emotional, social, educational, legal, and financial challenges presented by facial differences of their children.
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This book is available through Amazon.
Keep Your Chin Up
Everything You Never Knew You'd Need To Know About Pierre-Robin Sequence
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Written by Jessica Carey
So you've been told that your new baby has a medical condition called Pierre-Robin Sequence. OK. I know you’re scared right now, because I’ve been there. Finding helpful information online was almost impossible, which only made it scarier. That’s I why I wrote this book.
This book is available here.
I've Just Seen A Face: A Practical and Emotional Guide for Parents of Children Born with Cleft Lip and Palate​
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When a baby is born with a cleft lip and/or palate, the road ahead can feel overwhelming. Amy Mendillo—health writer, parent, and fierce advocate—walks that road with you. Drawing on rigorous research, interviews with medical professionals and families, and her own experience, I’ve Just Seen a Face serves as both map and companion.
This book is available here.
The Cleft Palate Story
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Written by Samuel Berkowitz, DDS, MS, FICD.
Surgical procedures performed from birth to adolescence are treated in depth; helps parents to understand options and what to expect; appendices on financial assistance, agencies, support groups, and a glossary of terms.
This book is available through Amazon.
We are always looking for more books for our collection.
If you have a suggestion, please let us know and
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