To purchase Nick Springer on the Move
Nick Springer on the Move is an adaptive sports story written to redefine ability. It was also written to fill a chasm in children’s literature with regard to the representation of disabled people in picture book biographies. We believe all children should see themselves represented in books and that representation matters. We also believe picture books should challenge children’s frames of reference to help them redefine a more inclusive world. We know children are curious and we encourage you to engage them in critical conversations about disability, sport, and social justice. So, we hope this book makes its way to every classroom and library shelf, and when it does, below are the resources to host those conversations.
But first, some fun facts about Nick Springer on the Move:
- It is the first sports picture book biography to feature a quad amputee and the sport of wheelchair rugby.
- It is illustrated by Mouth and Foot Painting Artist, Christopher Kuster, who created every image using his mouth due to paralysis.
- All proceeds of the book go to support Mouth and Foot Painting Artists and Wheelchair Sports Federation. We proudly support these two organizations because of their commitment to empowering individuals with disabilities through art and sport.
Posts & Resources for Nick Springer on the Move
2021: The Year to Keep Pushing
New Year’s Day 2021 started with a phone call from Nick Springer while I was laying on the bathroom floor painting the wall a new fresh color of seafoam green. Like most times when he called, Nick was on the move. This time he was driving and he promised me he had both hands on…
Author Visits with Nick Springer on the Move
I love reading with kids! I cherish the intimate experience that reading together creates in a class, especially when the text asks the reader to look critically at the world in new ways. Recently, I was invited into some classrooms to read Nick Springer on the Move, a book that I wrote to create a…
Nick Springer on the Move Hits Readers Hard
“The National Paralympic Heritage Trust is delighted to be able to share the inspiring story of Nick Springer in its heritage centre, here at the birthplace of the Paralympic Movement, Stoke Mandeville, the UK. Nick, like all fellow Paralympians, is an inspiration to us all, along with his family whom we thank for sharing his…
Wheelchair Rugby
Want to see Nick in action on the wheelchair rugby court? Check out USA #9 in the highlight video of the gold medal game during the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games.
Learn more about the sport of wheelchair rugby and watch for our favorite player, Nick Springer USA #9.
A Timeline about Nick Springer
Let’s Look at Disability Representation in Children’s Books
In this video, Mal will guide you through thinking critically about how disability is represented in children’s literature. Mal is a Severe Disabilities Special Education major at Bay Path University. She is also an autistic self-advocate, and has a deep respect for her disabled community. She has made it her goal to eliminate ableism within the classroom and wishes to help educators do the same. Here is a link to an analysis chart of all the books mentioned in Mal’s video.
In this video, undergraduate education students, Cynthia and Melissa provide you with the context to think critically about the representation of women with disabilities in children’s literature by telling the research story of who is missing from our bookshelves. We also encourage you to read the blog post, A Mother’s Love Is Limitless.
Let’s Talk Disability
Jen Stratton and Team Possible 