Poisoned: Snow White's Story
Mary Mecham
2022
3/5 stars
Mecham uses the familiar story of Snow White to introduce the reader to a character with Severe Intellectual Disability. Her message is clear and strong, with discussion questions at the end to aid the reader, but it overshadows the actual story, leaving very little room for romance or fantasy or even plot. That said, as one with extensive, intimate experience with preschoolers with a range of disabilities, I very much appreciate Mecham's effort and know that readers will benefit by learning how best to interact with people with disabilities and with their caregivers.
She gives a further lesson, equally important, by showing what emotional abuse, gaslighting, and control can look like. I applaud her for doing so, but felt that a book with two such strong themes was heavier than needed, and split the reader's focus.
It is still a sweet book with appealing characters, however, and I would not hesitate to read more by the author.
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