The Gift of Being Different

by Monica Berg, Abigail Berg, Sonia Possentini (Illustrator)

What do you think goes into a mind of a child with dyslexia? Now’s your chance to delve into their minds and comprehend the power of being distinct. Every child in this world has a unique personality. But, sometimes, their distinctiveness is perceived as an imperfection by society. This labeling instills fear, develops anxiety, and makes it difficult for children to adapt to the environment. Imagine how it would be if a child could realize that those differences that society labeled as Imperfections or flaws were, in fact, pronounced gifts or superpowers. Wouldn’t that boost their confidence and self-esteem? Being different isn’t a curse but a gift that only a few tend to recognize. The Gift of Being Different is a children’s book, a masterpiece by a mother-daughter duo, Monica Berg, and her nine-year-old daughter Abigail Berg who is Dyslexic. In the book, the author portrays the significance of learning. Children who tend to have a specific physical disability or a disease are not adequately facilitated in schools and the environment, making it difficult for them to fit in. This special children’s book is full of excitement, humor, and epic illustrations that will captivate the reader’s attention. It is an inspirational book for children but a guide for teachers, caregivers, and parents to improve the educational systems and learning techniques for children with special needs. The author has ensured authenticity while portraying a powerful message of celebrating and embracing differences. Her daughter, Abigail, has been diagnosed with dyslexia herself, which is why she released a book that could help create a better world. Learning is a process that should be enjoyed, leading you to transform uniquely in life. It’s not about reading or writing, but it’s all about the idea. One idea can change the life of millions of people! Embrace who you truly are! Embrace your greatest gifts because that is what differentiates you from others. Get inspired by the journey of Abigail and transform your life with motivation and hope.

Genres: Picture Books

36 pages, Hardcover

Published October 17, 2022

About the author

Mother, wife, sister, daughter, teacher, friend, author, podcaster, cardio enthusiast and change junkie, Monica integrates all that she is into her mission of sharing with others, what she’s discovered. Monica is a fresh voice that channels the powerful internal spark of Light living within us all. Authentic and fearless, she reminds us of our extraordinary potential and pushes us onward with compassion and understanding.

While informed by her many years of kabbalistic study, Monica also draws heavily on her own personal life experiences. She battled and overcame a debilitating eating disorder at a young age, and as a mother of four children, one of whom has special needs, she has become an outspoken advocate for him and others struggling to find their voice.

With her trademark blend of humor, insight, and honesty, she shows individuals how to create a life that feels like it is working, like it makes sense, and most importantly, a life in which they are living and loving as the powerful, fulfilled person they’ve always wanted to be. Her personal endeavors have taught her how the practical wisdom of Kabbalah can bring Light and strength into even the most challenging experiences by changing the one thing we can control, ourselves.

Monica Berg, a self-professed Change Junkie, shares her combination of wisdom and real-life awareness with talks found compelling to a wide range of men and women at different stages in their lives. She leads people to not only see how they can change (change is the only constant in life) but inspires them to get excited about a lifestyle of change.

Monica Berg is the author of Fear Is Not an Option, Rethink Love, The Gift of Being Different, co-hosts the Spiritually Hungry podcast, and serves as Co-Director & Chief Communications Officer for Kabbalah Centre International. She lives in New York with her husband Michael and their children David, Joshua, Miriam, and Abigail.

Reviews

[Courtnee Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Gift of Being different is a children’s book by Monica Berg, Abigail Berg, Jason Sechrest, and Sonia Possentini. Eight-year-old Abigail is disappointed when she finds out she is in a reading group that is focusing on words and sounds instead of reading exciting stories. Her teacher starts to notice a pattern in her misunderstanding during reading class, and Abigail is taken to Dr. Laura who gives a name to the challenges she has faced, dyslexia. At first, the word is uncomfortable, but Abigail’s mother and brother attempt to help her understand dyslexia more by labeling it as Abigail’s superpower. Abigail has lots of questions about her diagnosis, but her mother answers them and provides her with a new perspective.

Filled with lovely illustrations, the book details the questions Abigail faces as she learns about dyslexia. Monica Berg has written a beautiful book based on the true story of Abigail, and she imparts wisdom to readers as the mother delivers sage advice to her daughter. Adopting the description of dyslexia as a superpower will keep children from feeling like they are ostracized, helping to ease them into their new journey. As a mother of a teenager who was diagnosed with dyslexia five years ago, I can relate to the mother’s experience as she attempts to explain dyslexia to her daughter. The Gift of Being Different would make a lovely gift for a caregiver and child who are dealing with the same situations as young Abigail and her family. I was truly impressed with the love and support in the family, and the story ends on a heartfelt note that is sure to pull at a reader’s heartstrings.

[Barbara Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every child is unique and special. One of the reasons I believe each child's educational setting needs to be unique not formulated by a cookie-cutter curriculum.

Abigail, the eight-year-old protagonist in this book is intelligent and happy until she notices that her reading group moves slower than the others and fellow classmates make fun of her. When she is diagnosed with dyslexia, Abigail feels stupid and lonely until her family and reading specialist show her the remarkable capabilities and achievements of dyslexics. Through their love and support, Abigail learns there are many ways to be "special."

The illustrations are soft and sensitive, yet emotionally powerful and appealing to the eye.

I would strongly suggest this book be included in elementary and middle school classroom bookshelves as a read aloud discussion book. It provides a wonderful asset for parents of a child with any type of disability to raise self-esteem.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic copy through Story Monsters, Inc.
An uplifting story about a child (Abigail) who struggles to connect all the pieces to read. She knows the sounds and the letters but they don't merge in her mind. Her family is supportive and take her to a doctor to learn how her mind functions. Tender descriptions of dyslexia follow along with encouraging text to support this type of learner. Readers see Abigail struggle and then discover her "superpower." This gamut of emotions shines through the soft focused illustrations as well. The emphasis on the characters being in focus as the rest of the page is more gently focused lets readers see how Abigail's world works and evolves. Definitely one for libraries and families to have.

[Kara Marziali · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a positive, uplifting book for anyone with learning differences or neuro-diversity! Thank you, Monica (and Abigail) for sharing your heartwarming story in such a thoughtful way. All too often children with dyslexia or other reading challenges are shamed or made to feel "stupid," as Abigail initially thought. Your book gives children the right to own their challenges without apologies, excuses, or embarrassment. Additionally, the story will aid parents in accepting a diagnosis that can easily be a "superpower" for their child. Lastly, the illustrations by Sonia Possentini are exquisite, adding to the appeal of this wonderful book.

[MaryAnne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I so wanted to love this book. And I did, until the mentioning of famous people who have been posthumously diagnosed as being dyslexic (eg, Einstein, Bell). In making such diagnoses, huge assumptions are made based on things the dead people said or secondary sources (eg, biographers) have written. And the myths are perpetuated through books such as this. Otherwise it was a lovely book.

[Linda Donovan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a perfect gift ahead of Mother's Day: A mother-daughter children's book about the superpower of dyslexia and why we should teach our kids to embrace rather than eschew what makes them different. I was very touched by this collaboration.