This is a really sweet and tender look into Judith Scott's life, her relationship with her twin sister (one of the authors, whose perspective the story is told from), and how she became a renowned artist. I have to say though, Unbound really surprised me in the best way. A lot of the time, I pick up books (especially picture books) starring disabled people with a feeling of anxiety rather than any kind of excitement or eagerness. I'm not deaf and I don't have Down syndrome, but I am disabled, and the representation in picture books can too often veer into territories that are insensitive, offensive, or inspiration porn. I'll be honest, I go into most children's books (and books for older people as well, but children's books can be especially dire) about disabled people with a healthy dose of skepticism.

In other moments, Sweet captures wistfulness, longing and connection with light, shadow and color.Īn extraordinary look at an artist who was almost lost. Built with string, textiles, wire and wood, there is a celebratory nature to them of an art newly found. She incorporates collage and also builds sculptures to pay homage to Scott’s work. Sweet’s illustrations are incredible and moving. Even as the book moves to when Judith finds her artistic voice, there is a melancholy to the years lost and the muting of her voice for so long. The beautiful connection the sisters have in their young childhood forms a foundation of connection that allows her to rescue her sister decades later. Having Joyce herself narrate the book is powerful. Suddenly, Judith is creating unique pieces of sculpture and is celebrated as an artist.įull of sorrow and loss, this picture book examines the destructive nature of the systematic institutionalization of people with special needs to both the person institutionalized and their loved ones. Months go by until her teachers give her some natural materials and fabric. Judith attends but won’t participate at all. Joyce finds Judith an art program to be part of. Eventually, she is able to bring Judith out of the institution and to live with her. She continues to think of Judith as being at her side all the time. As they grow older, Joyce gets married and has children. There is no playground, no desks, no books. They don’t visit for a long time and when they do, the school isn’t like other schools. Then her parents send Judith to a special school where she will live and learn to talk. Judith has Down syndrome and has never spoken. Then Joyce is sent to kindergarten and Judith is left behind. The two sisters shared everything with one another, playing together all the time. Told by Joyce Scott, the twin sister of Judith, this picture book explores the closeness of the sisters as small children until they are separated for years.

Unbound by Joyce Scott