This book is dedicated to...

Kids with Microcephaly. Microcephaly is a birth defect that can be caused by abnormal brain development, genetics, and the Zika Virus. It causes kids to be born with a small head, developmental delays, and seizures.

I chose this because it has recently become more common due to the Zika virus outbreak.

Preview audio:

storyj.mp/ahuc53zbf659

This is Maggie and her family. Maggie was born with a birth defect called Microcephaly.

Microcephaly makes Maggie have a smaller head than most of the other kids in her class.

At school, some of the kids make fun of her because her head is smaller. This makes Maggie sad.

Because Maggie has Microcephaly, she sometimes has trouble learning what the other kids learn. Her teacher helps her learn after class. This makes Maggie happy because she wants to be smart and be a doctor when she grows up.

Maggie also gets help from the doctor because she has trouble seeing and hearing. She goes to the doctor after school once a week. The doctor gives her tests and helps Maggie practice her hearing and vision.

One day when Maggie got home from the doctor, she asked her parents if she could invite a friend over for a sleepover.

The next day, Maggie began to make friends with a girl named Sophia. Maggie invited Sophia over to her house for a sleepover.

At the sleepover, Maggie and Sophie became best friends. Maggie told Sophie about herself and Microcephaly. They watched movies and played games all night.

At school, Sophie introduced Maggie to her friends and they all became friends. The other kids didn't make fun of Maggie anymore because they got to know her.