Hi, I’m Ben…And I’ve Got A Secret!

Bouwkamp, Julie A. Hi, I’m Ben…And I’ve Got A Secret! Band of Angels, 1995.

Hi, I’m Ben…And I’ve Got A Secret is a simple, short, and sweet children’s book. This book is told in the eyes of a young boy named Ben who reveals his secret at the end of his story. Before he tells his secret, the story is filled about his life including his likes and dislikes, as well as what he enjoys most. He begins by saying how much love and attention he needed as a baby boy, but when he grew a little older he had birthday parties, and would laugh and play outside on the playground or at the beach, and just spend time with his family. He also mentions things that he does not enjoy, such as being afraid of thunder or getting sick. The secret is finally revealed once he says that he is special because he has Down syndrome. Ben continues by explaining what Down syndrome is to him, and the things he sometimes can or cannot do because of his disability. In the end, he wants to be a friend no matter what his differences may be.

What makes this book positive is the fact that all readers will be able to find something in common with Ben from the beginning to the end of the story. Since his disability is never mentioned at first, children do not even realize any differences by what the text says, so they will only recognize similarities. Every page says, “have you guessed my secret yet?” which allows the readers to anticipate what Ben wants to express to them. Ben even asks questions throughout the story such as, “Have you ever been to the beach?” or “Does your family sing to you on your birthday?” These are both very common everyday activities that all types of children experience. Even if they say no to the questions, they will still be familiar with them because it is “the norm.” Once he explains what Down syndrome is and the affects it has on him, the similarities that children made previously will not just fade away. For instance, he says, “Having Down syndrome means sometimes I fall when I run. Sometimes I need help putting my shirt on.” Even though this happens to Ben because of the disability he has, this can also happen to any other child who trips while walking, or when they get their head or arm caught under their shirt. Even though I think Down syndrome could be explained in more depth to get a better idea about what it is, it still gives the right amount of information based on the grade level that this book is recommended for.

This book also gives an accurate image of what a child could look like with Down syndrome. With the illustrations being all photographs of a real child with this disability in different situations of every day activities, the ideal “norms” of people with disabilities are broken. Instead of devaluing children with disabilities by saying the differences of “us and them”, these illustrations bring in positive similarities by showing “we.” However, since readers are unaware of the disability at the beginning of the book since it is never stated in the text, some children may notice through the images that Ben looks “different” from them. However, this is a positive attribute about the book because even though children may see the differences of Ben visually, they will still relate themselves to the story. Yet, children will still need some type of explanation when they ask if all children with Down syndrome look the same. This generalization will need to be improved by stating although some children with Down syndrome do share many similar features, they also look very different from one another as well, just like everyone else. This then teaches them that children, who have Down syndrome like Ben, live ordinary lives by eating, sleeping and playing just like they do.

The author of this book, Julia A. Bouwamp, is a parent of a child with special needs- Down syndrome; therefore, she is an insider to people with disabilities. With her experiences, she understands that children with disabilities can adjust to life by having great attitudes and responses from the people they interact with on a daily basis. Her book encourages children to look into the everyday life of a boy with Down syndrome, to realize that there are more similarities than differences between them. With all of this being said, I believe that this book is a perfect tool that can build bridges to the meaning of Down syndrome, and also tear down any misconceptions that say you have to have a perfect mind and body to live a happy and fun life.