‘Octopus’ charming> Mainer illustrates tale of Down syndrome

WE’LL PAINT THE OCTOPUS RED, written by Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen, illustrated by Pam DeVito, Woodbine House Inc., Bethesda, MD., 1998, 25, $14.95.

A rainbow of balloons bobbed and danced against a leaden sky as the Buddy Walk participants, 250 strong, marched down State Street in Bangor. Babies and toddlers rode in strollers. Children old enough to hike apart from parents chatted with college and high school athletes. Passing motorists slowed down to read the signs and honk horns in support.

Returning to Cascade Park, the crowd settled down to enjoy refreshments and chat. Toes tapped and fingers snapped to live music performed by Shameless. Youngsters, not too tired from their excursion, chased each other across the grass.

Attendance was more than triple that of the previous year’s walk. Tammy Ewing, coordinator and mother of a toddler with Down syndrome, was touched by the show of community support for the Buddy Walk, held to promote acceptance of people with Down syndrome within the community. “They came when the weather didn’t look good. They really care about people with Down syndrome.”

Babies with Down syndrome have one extra chromosome in some or all of their cells. They may look different from other infants. They also tend to learn more slowly and need more help to achieve developmental milestones. Because they look different — they often have a small nose, ears and eyes that slant upward — these children are not always accepted by society.

In “We’ll Paint the Octopus Red,” sensitively illustrated by East Orland artist Pam DeVito, Emma learns that her baby brother, Isaac, has Down syndrome.

When she first finds out her mother is pregnant, Emma isn’t crazy about the idea. “I’ve had Mom and Dad to myself for six years, and I like it that way.”

Her father tries to sell Emma on the joys of being a big sister. At first his ideas fall flat. Changing diapers sounds yucky. Rolling a ball to the baby sounds boring. Then he suggests playing kickball. Realizing that she’ll be able to kick the ball farther than her sibling, Emma comes up with her own ideas.

By the time Isaac is born, Emma is very ready to be a big sister. She’s distressed to learn that her little brother has Down syndrome, certain that all her plans won’t work out. As she talks them over with her father, he convinces her that although Isaac will take longer and need more help to learn things, he’ll play an important part in her life. In the last picture a radiant Emma is introducing herself to Isaac.

DeVito’s Emma is a delightfully real child. Her how-could-you-do-this-to-me expression on learning of her mother’s pregnancy is one many parents have faced. Her impish grin is enchanting. And the look of total awe on her face as she sees Isaac for the first time is priceless.

DeVito loved illustrating “We’ll Paint the Octopus Red.” The relationship between Emma and her father reminded her of her own husband’s relationship with their daughter.

When they arrived in Maine, the DeVitos lived in a one-room cabin with no television for eight years, pinching every penny to allow Pam to stay at home with their child. She considers those lean times the best of her life, especially her husband’s nightly read-alouds.

Reading Wisconsin author Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen’s story “We’ll Paint the Octopus Red,” evoked treasured memories for DeVito.

“I’d watched my own husband and daughter together and experienced their own special bond of love,” DeVito said in an interview.

DeVito also delights in the fact that babies with Down syndrome, once warehoused in institutions at birth, can now grow up at home.

“Most become charming, delightful children who add so much to their families’ lives,” she said.

Tammy Ewing could not agree more. Her son Zachery, who will be two this month, has changed her life profoundly.

“He just really taught me to appreciate things,” she related. “I don’t take anything for granted any more. He taught us to be more loving, caring people.”

Ewing sees the high turnout for the Buddy Walk as a sign that a spirit of love and acceptance can extend beyond individual families. “They’re out in the community. They want to be part of the community. They just want to be given a chance.”

“`We’ll Paint the Octopus Red” can do so much to dispell outdated stereotypes and encourage inclusion. With its gentle text and charming illustrations, supplemented with thoughtful questions, as well as answers, drawn from children with Down syndrome siblings, it’s a must buy for schools and home libraries.

The publisher, Woodbine House, has a line of books, both fiction and nonfiction, that can help people with a wide range of disabilities and their families, teachers, and friends. You can reach them at: Woodbine House, 6510 Bells Mill Rd., Bethesda, MD 20817. Call 301-897-3570 or 800-843-7323, or visit their Web site at www.woodbinehouse.com.