Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read A Swing for Samara.

Inspired by the Glen Lake Accessible Playground Project, A Swing for Samara is a beautifully illustrated picture book that teaches children about the importance of inclusion. Samara uses a wheelchair and does not communicate via words but rather facial expressions and gestures. Marco and Samara are best friends and do everything together…except swing, but Marco is determined to find a way to include his best pal!

Thank you so much to North Star Editions / Jolly Fish Press and Netgalley for the ebook to read and review.

Samara and Marco are best friends, they do everything together but there’s one thing they cannot do together and that’s play in the playground and especially not swing. So they set up a fundraiser so that Samara can play too.

This was adorable it was so full of inclusivity, I loved the friendship between Samara and Marco and everything they were doing together. It was so sad when she was unable to play on the swings with all her other friends, but Marco instantly wanted to do something about it.

I really enjoyed reading at the end of the story about the real life events that inspired this story, I liked getting to learn about the real children that cared so much about the other students not being included in playtime and trying their very best to fundraise to help them play. It was so sweet and I loved that we got a story to represent all their hard work.

A very sweet story, a very wonderful read, full of inclusion, friendship, love and care. I really adored reading this story. It’s a great book for children to read, it will help them learn about other children that are also wheel chair users like Samara, it is also wonderful for children that are wheel chair users to get to see themselves, within this story.

A fun story about being inclusive. About creating opportunities and working together to achieve a goal.
I love that this is based on a true story. I wish more people did stuff like these kids did. Disabled kids are often overlooked, excluded. Everyone deserves to play at a playgound!

I hate the word inspirational, but in this case I want to use it. These kids are truly an inspiration. How they worked together to create opportunities for their disabled peers is amazing! They used their voice and influence to help other people and that is an amazing thing to do.
Also really appreciate the illustrations being of different animals instead of actual people. That way it is easier to connect and children are less likely to alienate the disabled characters!

I would absolutely recommend this story, it's the perfect conversation starter for a talk about accessibility and how you can use your voice to help other people feel included!

I received an electronic ARC from North Star Editions through NetGalley.
Carlson is a master of sharing characters who care for others. Readers see Marco and Samara's friendship and then discover the problem when it comes to playground equipment. Marco and other students raised the funds to make their playground inclusive. My frustration is that adults were not already aware of and solving this problem but the message holds that kids are able to change the world and support each other.

A sweet friendship, a problem, and a beautiful solution.

Marco and Samara are friends who love to do all kinds of things together. One thing they can't do is swing. They raise money and finally, after a long process, the swings are accessible for all!

I think the representation is important. Empowering children to rally support and solve issues together is also very powerful.

Lovely book that concentrates on friendship and all that comes with it, despite differences and disabilities - it doesn't matter.
Samara's friends all came together and came up with a solution so that she could be included in their visits to the playground, which was heartwarming.
I myself am a full time wheelchair user and I think my son will enjoy me reading this to him, as it reinforces that it's okay to be different.
Great book.

I thought that this book was great and really inspirational in showing what can be achieved when you work together.

The book was well written, it was easy to read and follow and had some great illustrations to bring the story to life.

It is a really positive read and I loved the focus on inclusion too and the positive messaging the book gives

It is 5 stars from me for this one - very highly recommended!

This book was given to me through Netgalley for my honest review. I want to thank Netgalley, the Author, and the Publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

This book is perfect for wanting to be inclusive. I think that a lot of children tend to realize more things than even adults realize. They do have classmates who are different and need different things. They realize that their peers who are perfectly healthy otherwise may need different accommodations. Some schools have playground equipment for children with wheelchairs but they are in the play area for special needs children. This story talks about a child who realizes his sister cannot swing when he swings. He sets out to fix this so that his sister can have a swing in the playground area near him. This shows that children see more and know more than we often give them credit for. I adored this book. I think that more playgrounds in schools should have a swing for children in wheelchairs in the same play area as other students so that child does not feel left out.

This book was cute and I appreciate that it’s for kids to learn about all types of people and what they are capable of. There should be more books about other abled people.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

This was a lovely story about different friends who wanted to accomplish the same goal - swinging at their school playground! With the help of adults and friends, they were able to raise enough money for an inclusive swing. This way, all children could use the swings! My one wish is the story could have expanded on how the students raised money towards their goal. It just glossed completely over this, and I also think the “how” process is important for students to take away. Overall, such a great message for all children! 4.5 stars

A beautiful book that demonstrates the power of friendships and the will to see everyone as their own person. I love how it focuses on children’s willingness to help students with disabilities and make a difference in their lives. These children should be commended for their powerful effort to make all kids equal and set disabilities aside. Everyone needs a friend like Marcos.

This book is truly so heartwarming! I know for sure that this book will be so inspirational to young readers everywhere, regardless if they're in a wheelchair or not. Samara's character allows disabled kids like her to feel seen and included, which is so important. On the other hand, Marco's character sets an example for kids to be good friends, which is also a valuable lesson. The illustrations were very colorful and crisp, perfect for a kids' book. Lastly, the real-life story at the back of the book was very interesting to read, and will be a source of inspiration for readers to spark change in their own communities.
Bravo!

This is a very sweet book! Every child like Samara needs a friend like Marco! I love that this book shows inclusion throughout and motivation toward a cause!

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for this advance readers copy in exchange for my honest feedback! Really enjoyed this read. Our local elementary school just recently because accessible for those in wheelchairs. My wish is that all school playgrounds can incorporate everyone in the near future.

I loved the message and heart this book had. I am always a fan of a book that teaches kids the importance of inclusion and how to advocate for it for others. This is sweet heart warming story of friends coming together to make sure all their friends despite their circumstances have an equal chance to play the same things and participate in the same activities.

My only downfall was the illustrations I felt they were underwhelming.

But I would still stock this book in my Free Little Library and recommend it to kiddos.

Friendships are so incredibly powerful. Children are our future and I see it every day but this book allows children to see how they, much like the students in Hopkins can change the world.

The illustrations are perfect and simple with a simple storyline that packs an emotional punch. The pictures at the end left me crying tears of joy and happiness.

I am ordering a copy for my library.

Thank you to Net Galley and North Star Editions for the eARC!