Hide and Shh!: A Not-So-Sneaky Sister Story About Inclusion

by Christina Dendy, Nathalia Takeyama (Illustrations)

Dinah, a young girl with Down Syndrome, loves to play games with her older sister, Chloe, but she’ s not very good at the still and quiet kind. When her not-so-sneaky efforts to get into the big kids’ game backfire, Dinah realizes she might need to adapt a few of her own behaviors. In the process, she shows Chloe and her friends that there’ s more than one way to play.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

Published April 1, 2023

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it when a book gives “voice” to people who usually are only talked about. I love it when the one with the voice gets to live their life rather than have the responsibility to represent all people like them. That’s what this book does wonderfully. I’m the mother of a child with a disability. In all of the hundreds of picture books we read when he was little, there was only one time when he pointed to a character and said “he’s like me!” The character was never identified as being “special,” but my son recognized himself in its behaviors. It was such a special moment that I wrote to the author thanking them. I suspect that Christina Dendy might receive similar messages at some point. This book is, of course, for a larger audience than that. It is a fun and relatable story and I am so glad Cardinal Press sent me an advance copy to review.

[Ashley Albright · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an Amazing Resource and enjoyable book for the Down Syndrome Community. As an American Sign Language Interpreter, I love the the author added ASL signs and pictures to show that not only does the Deaf community use ASL but so does the Down Syndrome Community.

Defiantly a must read!

[CK Malone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two Sentence Review: This is an example of an inclusive story about sibling relationships. New release is great, and I adore the back matter and extended learning opportunities as someone who teaches kiddos!

[Savanna Draper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was sent a PDF version of Hide and Shh! A Not-So-Sneaky Sister Story About Inclusion written by Christina Dendy and illustrated by Nathalia Takeyama to read, review, and celebrate for Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2024. This book was published by Cardinal Rule Press in 2023.

This is a beautiful book about inclusion, acceptance, and having fun! The story follows Dinah who has Down Syndrome, her sister Chole, and a group of their friends as they play a super sneaky spy game. Dinah has waited all week to play with her sister, but when their free time comes, Chole rushes outside to play a spy game with her friends. Dinah decides that if Chole won’t join her, Dinah will go outside and join Chole and her friends.

The most important rule of the spy game is that you have to be sneaky! Every time one of their friends tells Dinah a sneaky thing to do, like laying in the grass like a stick or crouching down like a rock, Dinah just does not have fun! Instead, each time, she pulls out one of her animal cards and acts like an animal including a snake, butterfly, and crow, which according to Dinah and her friends, are not sneaky animals at all!

Dinah feels that her way is more fun. She then pulls another animal card–a chameleon! Dinah thinks chameleons are masters of all things sneaky, so she sits and waits for the others to find her and ends up winning the sneaky spy game! Chole and her friends soon realize that Dinah’s way is so much more fun, that they create a new game, “animal spies!”

This was such a lovely book to read. The artwork is attention grabbing, and there is sign language demonstrations throughout the book because that is how Dinah and Chloe communicate. This book does an excellent job at showing how easy it can be to let someone be themselves, celebrate differences, and have fun in a way they enjoy and how you can also join in.

In the front of this book, there are also some discussion questions including what you think might happen in this book before reading it, how Dinah might feel after waiting all week to play with her sister Chole, and how Chloe and her friends help Dinah play in a sneaky way (and what else they could have done.) These questions really help the reader connect with this book.

At the end of the book, there is some great information about Down Syndrome, referencing the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) and American Sign Language (ASL) where more information can be found at the National Institutes of Health website and on Handspeak.com.

[Abbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christina Dendy knows exactly how to get to the heart of the child.

In her newest book, Hide & Shh!, Dendy brings us Dinah. Dinah is playful, fun-loving, and always ready to spend time with her big sister, Chloe. Chloe, however, can sometimes be a busy girl, leaving Dinah to wait as patiently as she can. But once Chloe is home, she has other plans - she wants to play Spies with her friends.

What follows is very much what we all see in our homes everyday: our kids trying to play together, getting frustrated with one another, and watching as they figure out how to reach a compromise that works for everyone. However, what makes Dendy’s books so much more is her educational connections and use of inclusion.

Partnering with illustrator, Nathalia Takeyama, who is of Japanese and Brazilian descent, we see an incredibly diverse cast of characters - including our main character with the condition, Down Syndrome. Takeyama’s illustrations are beautifully and perfectly simple, giving the reader a chance to easily take in all facets of the story. We see children of different races and genders represented within the pages, as well as a character whose gender seems non-specific, giving children of multiple backgrounds someone to relate to.

Along with the varietal cast, I adore how the author provides us with additional content so we may better understand what we will be reading and what we have read . And, as we learn in these bonus pages, those with DS are sometimes able to communicate better using American Sign Language, or ASL, which Dendy and Takeyama use as another incredible lesson tucked into the story. Illustrator Takeyama has created the look of an educational card deck to help the reader learn the signs that Dinah uses throughout the book, showing exactly how to recreate each sign for ourselves. Genius.

Overall, this is a solid 5-stars. I highly recommend Hide & Shh! for reading and discussion at home, but even more so within a classroom. I have already pre-ordered a copy for my sons’ elementary school library, and I suggest you do the same.

[Debbie Zapata · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an Advanced Reader Copy of Hide and Shh! from Cardinal Rule Press and enjoyed the characters, setup, struggle, and compromising resolution!

As a parent to a child with Down syndrome, I know how much representation matters. Only about 3% of children’s picture books include a prominent character with a disability.

As an author of a picture book featuring a character with Down syndrome, I applaud the creative collaboration for a positive portrayal of a child with Down syndrome. The National Down Syndrome Congress’ Awareness Campaign, “we’re more alike than we are different” is woven through the real world scenario portrayed in the story setting.

Through Christina Dendy’s active text and Nathalia Takeyama’s colorful illustrations, we follow Dinah as she navigates obstacles and advocates for herself. I could relate to the sibling clash and how Dinah’s sister, Chloe, felt more critical of her than the other kids.

I enjoyed the inclusion of American Sign Language. My son used ASL when he was younger. He also has Apraxia which has increased his use of total communication (speech, signing, word approximations, assisted communication technology, etc.). Readers can see the successful way a child can communicate beyond the spoken word. It lends to a great conversation about speech and communication.

The book includes backmatter about Down syndrome and refers readers to the National Down Syndrome Society. NDSS is the leading human rights organization for individuals with Down syndrome. This inclusive story about kids playing together is a nice addition to any bookshelf.

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two sisters clash in this book, when Dinah wants to play with Chloe, but Chloe has her own friends to play her own game with. The issue is that Dinah has Down Syndrome, and being sneaky and spy-like at hide and seek is not in her remit, and not in the list of things she finds pleasurable. She wants a game inspired by her deck of animal cards – but can they allow her to fit in with the others, and will the other kids then compromise in their activities to include everyone? Seeing as everyone here is inclusive and welcoming and nice and kind, the answers are positive – as they should be. But it's still a pleasantly clever beat that means the card game allows Dinah to have the best of both worlds, meaning this is a nice story to read regardless of the health and social awareness aspect of the volume. The visuals have great clarity, but one hiccup was that I thought there were reading order issues when there weren't any, and that tripped me up in finding a suitable path through the narrative. Better presentation would have made everything perfectly clear, but it may have been me alone with the issue in the first place, meaning this remains a great success. Four stars plus.

[Charlotte Offsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Siblings. Cooperative play. Neurodiverse Representation.⁠
⁠
Dinah is a young girl with Down syndrome. She loves to play with her older sister, Chloe, and has been waiting all week to play with her, but Chloe has other plans and heads off to play spy club with her friends. Dinah runs after her and uses her cards and sign language to communicate but Chloe gets annoyed when Dinah can't be quiet and doesn't play by the game's rules. This sweet story illustrates themes of inclusion, cooperative play, and that there is more than one way to play and have fun. ⁠
⁠
Do your kids struggle with staying flexible while playing with others? This book opened sweet conversations with my children around the importance of being open to new ideas and ways of doing things while playing with others as well as how to ensure they are being inclusive and kind.⁠
⁠
⁠
Themes⁠
- Sibling relationship⁠
- Neurodiversity⁠
- Down syndrome⁠
- American Sign Language ⁠
- Inclusion ⁠
- Compromise⁠
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Highlights⁠
- Questions for before, during, and after reading⁠
- "About Down syndrome" guide for parents and educators ⁠
- More about American Sign Language ⁠

[Ami Schroder · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice inclusion story about two sisters, Chloe and Dinah (who has Down's Syndrome) for the preK to elementary age child. Readers will learn a few American Sign Language signs including: play, snake, bird and frog. One item to note: I showed this to a parent of a daughter with Down Syndrome and she took offense to some of the illustrations that showed Dinah's tongue sticking out. She said that was something they had worked really hard on with the speech teacher, keeping the tongue inside the mouth. She explained that children with Down's Syndrome have issues with their mouths and have to work harder to keep their tongue in their mouth. However, she was thrilled to see a story including a child with Down Syndrome. Overall this is a good story to use as a mentor text especially because it culminates with a group of children being inclusive in their play with Chloe's younger sister.

[Kelsey Gross · Rating 5 out of 5]

With endearing characters, kid-friendly language, and delightful illustrations, HIDE AND SHH! offers a realistic and heartwarming portrayal of two sisters – one who happens to have a disability. The book’s universal message about the give-and-take necessary to make relationships work is cleverly framed through the dynamics of play, making it relatable for kids. But at the same time, HIDE AND SHH! offers another vital takeaway: kids with disabilities are just like other kids. They may have unique struggles, but they too have creative ideas and enjoy playing with others. Sign language is sprinkled throughout the text, and back matter provides a helpful reading guide and information about Down’s Syndrome. HIDE AND SHH! is a must-read for families, and essential for all school bookshelves. Readers with disabilities will feel seen, while other young readers will gain a deeper and positive understanding of people with disabilities. This book is a gift for ALL children!

[Kelly Martinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely story book that hits on many layers all at once - sibling relationships, sibling relationships in context with friends, conflict resolution, cooperation, and more - all while quietly introducing the reader to what life for someone with Down Syndrome is like, and what it might be like for their sibling.

To fit all that in 32 pages is a challenge, and there is more than one way to do it. While beautifully done, a little bit of frustration on the part of Chloe's friends would've felt more realistic. Trying to include younger siblings of friends, whether they have Down Syndrome or not, is often more challenging than was portrayed. I also would have liked to better understand how their two games "merged," i.e., how does one play Animal Spies?

Overall, a great introduction for many readers who likely don't know anyone with Down Syndrome. Also a great introduction to ASL!

[Amanda Sanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hide and Shh is a story about a Down’s Syndrome girl and her sister and her sister’s friends. They play hide and seek, but Dinah wants them to play a game with her that she is better at. Dinah eventually understands how to be quiet while hiding and her sister and friends eventually give Dinah’s game a try. It’s a sweet story. Dinah has sign language cards that she keeps showing throughout the story and readers learn the signs that Dinah has on her cards. My baby sister had Down’s syndrome. Sign language overcomes a communication barrier for downs kids. It’s an important part of understanding Down’s kids. The story is a bit simplistic in the relationship of downs siblings and their friends. It’s ok to acknowledge some resentment of having to include a pesky younger sibling all the time. The illustrations are not so great. I did not think Dinah looked like a downs child. I thought she looked tired.

[Marlene]

What a wonderful way to get across the idea of inclusion! Dinah, a child with Down's Syndrome, wants to be part of her older sister's world. But she seems to ruin Chloe's fun because Dinah can't follow all the rules of the game. And she wants to have fun and doesn't always understand why Chloe and her friends think being quiet and sneaky is fun. Chloe finds a way to use Dinah's cards to make Dinah understand the purpose of their game. After Dinah acts like a chameleon, finally she is able to get Chloe and her friends to have Dinah's kind of fun. The illustrations complement the clear and appealing story. Young children should be entertained since hide and seek is a favorite as is tagging along and playing with older siblings. Imaginative approach to something important for both children and adults.

[Rebekah Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book from Cardinal Rule Press. I loved how the story showed the complexities of a sibling relationship especially one between a sister with Down Syndrome and one without. I also enjoyed seeing Dinah problem solve on her own without a grown up's help. This is a wonderful way of empowering children to think outside of the box, to realize that they can figure it out on their own. I also enjoyed the ASL that was included with some of the words (I wanted more signs because kids LOVE interactive books) and that the sisters used it as a typical way of talking to each other. I would've liked the story to have been longer though and to have included more interactions between Dinah and Chole, not just the one instance of playing a game. That's my only reason for 4 stars. I hope there will be more books about Dinah and her family.

[Raven Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hide and Shh! has a younger sister who has speech issues, she uses cards and sign language, and she wants to play with her big sister, but she just cannot get into the swing of things. Bumps happen, but both girls will learn that doing things another person’s way can be fun when you figure out how to include everyone. The art of Nathalia Takeyama illustrates the story with fun, bright, clever illustrations. You can see the emotions and the situations unfold. There is information on Down Syndrome and American Sign Language. I think it can start discussions. The only issue I have is that the older sisters’ feelings are not taken into consideration. She is frustrated by her younger siblings’ actions, and nobody validates that.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Cardinal Rule Press.
A tender story about two sisters - one with Down Syndrome. Dinah wants to play with her older sister, Chloe, but has a hard time following the game's rules. She does not want to be completely still so gives away her sister's hiding place every time. Finally, the other kids try playing Dinah's way and act out the animal cards she has kept with her.
Dendy offers a look at love and support while acknowledging that frustration can be part of a family as well. Takeyama captures the joy and other emotions the characters' feel. Both the text and artwork blend together to make readers part of the game as well. This book also offers readers a chance to think about what they would do and to learn to be inclusive in play.

[J.D. Silverwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a digital ARC from Cardinal Rule Press and thoroughly enjoyed the characters, setup, struggle, and inclusive conclusion!

Dinah and Chloe are sisters and love playing together. But when older sister Chloe and friends play a sneaky game of hide and seek, Dinah struggles to stay in the game. Although frustrations mount, younger Dinah eventually finds a way to play with the others while staying true to herself. With active and youthful text, there is much to love about these characters. And although Dinah's down syndrome plays a central role in the story, I truly feel this story is relatable for all children seeking friendships with its gentle themes of kindness and inclusion.

[Sarah Hovorka · Rating 5 out of 5]

While the character in this book has Down Syndrome, the way the sisters interact could be applicable to many types of relationships that involve neuro differences. Down Syndrome isn't specified until the back matter which leaves the lessons in this book to be felt naturally. I especially liked that the story shows the multiple ways a non-verbal child may communicate including hand gestures, pointing at pictures, body motions, and ASL. And, none of this is shown as a problem or even necessarily an accommodation. It's just the natural way the little sister communicates and that's okay!

There is also lots of fun motion and sound in the book to appeal to a wide audience of child readers.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun story that focuses on play, sibling relationships, inclusion and compromise. It is obvious that Dendy has experience working with young people with DS throughout the story as she offers a beautfiul and accurate portrayal of two sisters and the means by which they navigate their differences in play. Dinah continually advocates for her perspective on how best to play, to which the other children come around to her ideas. I loved how ASL was incorporated into the story as well, along with the back matter to guide parents and educators as they analyze and absorb important concepts throughout the book.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the lead character, Dinah. She is a girl with her own idea of FUN and isn’t afraid to share it with her older sister and friends. At the same time, she learns about compromise, as do the other characters. Christina gently shows us that children with special needs have as much, if not more, to offer their social circles. The book’s message that “different” can be a good thing is something we all need to be reminded of. We need more books like Hide and Shh! that show well-rounded characters with special needs. Dinah has strengths and faults, wants and needs just like the rest of us.

[Rachelle Burk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was honored to receive an advance review copy from Cardinal Rule Press. This is a sweet story about Dinah, a child with Down Syndrome, who is eager to be included in play with her sister and her sister's friends. I found the story informative, particularly because I was previously unaware that children with DS often use sign language to help them communicate. I also like that Dinah takes control in the story and finds her own unique ways to join in the play, and is accepted by her sister and sister's peers.

[Traci · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful children’s book. This a great book about two sisters Dinah and Chloe, who is the oldest. Dinah has Down Syndrome and likes to play with her sister. However, Chloe wants to play spies with her friends. The book goes through how the sisters work out their differences.
I have to say I liked the back section explaining Down Syndrome. I admit, I didn’t really understand the condition before reading about it.
The illustrations in this book are really good and told the story through the drawings.
I really enjoyed this book and highly recommended it.

[AnaLuz Sanchez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about sisters playing together. The oldest has a group of frinds come over, the younger with Down Syndrome joins them. I love how inclusive this book is and how it also added the use of American Sign Language (ASL) and cards depicting some of the signs used.

I love that wa have more inclusive books now than we did when I was growing up. I love sharing stories like this one with my kids. I read this one with my youngest who really loved it.

I received an advance copy for review from the Publisher, all opinions are my own.

Read March 2023

[Bailey Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

This precious inclusive book came in the mail today and I am already obsessed!!! The plot, characters, and one of a kind nature of this book makes it a must read! I love how it subtly introduces down syndrome because it shows that people with DS are just like everyone else! Instead this book primarily focuses on the sister to sister relationship and compromise! It is so sweet! I am amazed by the creativity of this book! It is just adorable! I also love the inclusion of sign language! I highly recommend it!

[Jen Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dinah has Down Syndrome and largely uses sign language to communicate. Her sister, Chloe, wants to play hide and seek with her friends but when Dinah wants to join in, Chloe is worried that the noises which Dinah makes when signing will make the game more tricky. Luckily, Dinah is able to show everyone a way to adapt the game and make it more fun and totally inclusive.

This book illustrates how finding a different approach can not only mean that nobody gets left out but can also improve everyone's experience. It has a great fact file at the end and is great for learning through fiction.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This kid-centric, sibling story packs in inclusion, sign language, Down Syndrome, and friendship into a tender, affirming picture book. Readers will see children respecting differences, using encouraging language, and playing flexibly to be inclusive. This lovely book will be an important addition to elementary classrooms and libraries that are committed to curating a diverse and representative collection.

[Lisa B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a charming yet realistic children's book with a valuable lesson on inclusion. This is a heartwarming tale of two sisters, one with Downs Syndrome, trying to navigate playtime. The pleasing artwork enhances the author's clever storyline. The incorporation of some ASL is another bonus! I believe Hide and Shh! would be a beneficial addition to classrooms and libraries for children in preschool-early elementary.

[Donn Swaby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was very sweet! I like how the conflict of the story did not make Chloe and her friends "bad" or "wrong" for wanting to play the game to win, nor is Dinah 'bad" for wanting to play her own version of their game. In the end, Dinah was able to play in away that was both fun to her and also was more aligned with the other children's intentions in playing. A touching story of sisterly love.

[Cindy Schrauben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dendy has created a heartfelt and realistic look at the universal theme of sibling rivalry while hinting at the themes of acceptance and inclusion. The fact that the main character is neurodiverse is weaved naturally into the story with tangible emotion, crafting a narrative to which any child can relate. The supplemental, factual information will assist in discussions with all children. A must-read.

[Summer Bartshe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how Hide and Shhh! helps kids better understand how to interact with children that have Down Syndrome. This is the first book I’ve seen that talks to this subject. The illustrations were also good and helped start a dialogue with my kids on the subject. It’s good to see positive interactions between sisters, and when I read it to my daughters they enjoyed the fun sign language tips throughout the book’s illustrations and wanted to learn more signs. I highly recommend this book!