Patty Cisneros Prevo, Author of “Tenacious 15 Adventures Alongside Disabled Athletes”
We are continuing our series of summer books for kids with the new book, Tenacious by Patty Cisneros Prevo. Patty is a first-generation Mexican American writer, former elementary teacher, and two-time Paralympic gold medalist, who noticed a large gap in children’s books around diversity, and specifically, around disability.
Through the beautifully illustrated and captivating book, Patty highlights the adventures and achievements of 15 disabled athletes and how having a disability didn’t hold them back from living their dreams. This includes mini bios of each athlete as well as a daily challenge and daily joy, highlighting the ups and downs of their experiences. Inspiring, uplifting, and educational, the book will inspire kids of all ages to understand that having limitations (physical, environment, financial, or mental challenges) does not mean we are held back. As Patty said, “I hope readers find their own tenacious spirit deep down in pursuing their dreams just like these 15 tenacious athletes.” Read on to learn more about Patty and this riveting new book.
Westchester Family: How did the idea for Tenacious 15 Adventures Alongside Disabled Athletes come about?
Patty Cisneros Prevo: As an elementary teacher and new parent, I started noticing the lack of children’s books with disabled characters. When I intentionally searched for these books with disabled characters, there were very, very few. I have met so many incredible people throughout my life, especially during my time as a Paralympian, and I felt that these people needed to be known. These disabled individuals needed to be celebrated as main characters. I made it my personal mission to bring these people to life on the page.
Westchester Family: Why do you think it’s important to tell these stories?
Patty Cisneros Prevo: It is important for children to be inclusive thought leaders from the start. Older generations view disability so negatively. There are so many stereotypes and microaggressions used toward disabled individuals because people are afraid of what they don’t know, so they make assumptions. It’s important that children learn about others who may be different from them, and different doesn’t mean “bad.” Different is just different, and we should celebrate that diversity.
Westchester Family: We love the action steps in the book with the daily challenges/daily joy. Was that always a part of the book?
Patty Cisneros Prevo: The daily challenges and daily joys were added later when my editor, Cheryl Klein, and I had conversations about ableism and perpetuating ableist language. I wanted to avoid that as well as avoid portraying these individuals as “superheroes” and falling into the “supercrip” trope. We talked about providing daily challenges/daily joys to stress that these people are everyday people. Yes, they are incredibly accomplished and amazing athletes, but they’re also just ordinary people trying to get through their days.
Westchester Family: What do you hope readers will get from the book?
Patty Cisneros Prevo: I hope readers have a better understanding of disability, the Paralympics, diversity, adaptive sports, inclusive language in the back matter. There is so much in Tenacious that young readers can take away from. I also hope that young readers find their own tenacious spirit deep down in pursuing their dreams just like these 15 tenacious athletes.
