"Wow! Such beautiful photography and a sweet story."- Lori Eigenman, Ed.S. In Onika Wants to Help, four friends share how their lives changed when an inclusive school was built in their small African village. When they were young, their families had to keep them hidden because of their disabilities! For the first time in their lives, they are allowed to attend school, and it makes them very happy. Beautiful photographs take us onto the grounds of their Rainbow School and capture the essence of what it means to get to do something you have longed to do for many years. It's fun to discover the interests of the four teenagers. Onika, Teophani, Elibeth, and Agnes all share what they are learning and how they will someday be able to help others in their village.
This book explodes with its powerful message of inclusion and shows how allowing everyone to participate makes the world a better place.
By sharing Onika's story we celebrate the four teenagers' many strengths and abilities. Onika has intellectual disabilities. Her friends have intellectual disabilities and autism.

Jo Meserve Mach (author) spent 36 years as an Occupational Therapist. She is very passionate about sharing the stories of children with special needs. Jo embraces the joy that individuals with disabilities bring to our communities through their unique gifts.Jo is the cofounder of Finding My Way Books, which offers tools to help children without disabilities realize that children with disabilities are kids just like them.Readers and teachers love Finding My Way Books, which they describe as "great," "fabulous," which "showcase how a person with a disability can be a mentor to others," and "make the teachable moments and situations perfect for young students."They are recommended for parents, teachers, elementary school libraries, homeschoolers, and anyone who wants a more just and inclusive world.Vera Lynne Stroup-Rentier worked professionally in Early Childhood and Special Education programming for 25 years. She has a PhD in Special Education from the University of Kansas and is currently working at Westat.Vera is passionate about the inclusion of every child in settings where they would be if they did not have a disability. Parenting two children with special needs enriches her life.Mary Birdsell is a professional photographer and a former Speech and Theatre teacher. She strives to create images that reflect the strengths of each child.Mary's background in education, theatre and photography intersects as she visually creates our books. She uses colors and shapes to tell a story. For her, each book is like its own theatre production.