posted on 27 Apr 2024

Lively Lila: A Dance of Happy Discovery by Ben Levey

It is always pleasing to come across a new picture book that includes a central character with an additional need or disability. These are still too rare, especially those that portray children with neuro-diverse characteristics in a positive way. As these children usually have no distinctive facial or bodily features or use props such as wheelchairs, hearing aids or other communication aids to signal these needs to the reader, the illustrator must rely on other ways to do this. In this case the challenge is to make Lila, who just happens to have an ADHD diagnosis, a complex character with agency and to set her against an interesting plot.

Ben Levey has personal knowledge about someone with ADHD as his girlfriend has the condition. In this rhyming story with bold and colourful illustrations, he sets out to charm the reader with Lila, a girl who lives an exciting life, partly because of her overall liveliness, creativity and boundless energy. 

The cover shows her dancing against a cloudy pink sky framed by swirling waves and fishes. She looks very happy with life but perhaps the title suggests that she is trying to find out more about herself and how she fits into the world? 

We see her on the opening pages as she walks with arms outstretched and eyes closed:

‘Meet Lively Lila, a girl full of zest,

whose thoughts take her on an adventurous quest.

With ADHD as her friendly guide,

She dances through life, her spirit undenied.’

As the story unfolds, we learn that she is very imaginative ‘with creativity shining bright.’ But it seems that not everyone ‘gets’ why she presents herself in a certain way, because sometimes her ‘mind moves quickly, like shifting sand’ and her behaviour can appear to be unpredictable. Although many children with this diagnosis will eventually learn to manage such challenges with support, Lila also takes medication to help her focus: ‘letting her navigate life with greater peace’. Later in the story I liked the way in which she is shown playing with a group of friends who evidently accept 'her quirks and unique way’.  

This little girl seems to be extrovert, multi-talented and a high achiever who is cherished and encouraged by teachers and parents. She has learnt to be loud and proud about her particular individual characteristics. This is undoubtedly a positive message about self -belief and confidence. However, if this story is shared with children, parents and teachers it seems important to recognise that not all those with ADHD shine in the same way. I suggest that  we would all benefit from more books being published that include a wide range of characters that demonstrate the spectrum.

Published by Tiny Tree Books, you will be able to buy this picture books from your local independent bookshop – who will be happy to order it for you if they don’t have it on their shelves.

Karen Argent

April 2024