AustLit

' 'Children are born accepting everybody as equal, and it's only as we grow older that we start to notice differences and become curious,' says Adelaide-based bookseller Mike Lucas. 'Sometimes this can result in embarrassment, isolation or bullying. They should be taught to see that being different is what makes us who we are and that a disability, though to be possibly inherently restricting can be made less so by inclusion, understanding and acceptance.' Mike's new book, Olivia's Voice, is about a girl who wakes up every morning to silence. She can't hear anything, but she can follow the smell of breakfast down to the kitchen, feel her mum's heart beating against her chest during a hug, watch the 'galloping' shapes of her friends' mouths and see words tumble into images as she reads.' (Publication abstract)