Guest Post Written By: Rogill L. Anderson
Preface: This is not an affiliate post, but a heartfelt story from a teacher and parent that deserves attention. It raises important questions about inclusion, compassion, and how we treat children with disabilities. Comments are welcome; you may contact Rogill directly at: [email protected]
Who Will Hold the Lemonade? — A Story About Inclusion and Kindness
As teachers and parents, our deepest motivation is to help children become confident, resilient, and joyful. When a child has a disability, that responsibility feels even more urgent. My son was born with spina bifida, and I watched a once carefree, content child become uncertain and withdrawn—not because of his disability itself, but because of the way peers reacted and the limits others imposed on him. School offered academic success but also exposed him to ridicule, exclusion, and emotional struggle.
I wrote Who Will Hold the Lemonade? to highlight the importance of inclusion. Special children belong in everyday childhood experiences, and with imagination and empathy, we can welcome them into ordinary moments of play and learning. When classrooms and playgrounds celebrate diversity, they open doors to possibilities instead of reinforcing fixed, limiting expectations. Inclusion replaces exclusion and the potential for bullying with opportunities to grow character, empathy, and genuine human connection.
Who Will Hold the Lemonade? is a gentle, poignant story that contrasts life’s sour moments with the sweetness of compassion. It invites young readers to see beyond limitations and recognize the humanity in every classmate. All children need places where they are accepted and valued—a space to discover purpose, build confidence, and become self-assured. For children with disabilities, finding that place can be harder because they are too often overlooked or excluded. This book is written for anyone who wants to make a positive difference in the life of a child—special or otherwise—by teaching the far-reaching effects of simple kindness, illustrated one pitcher of lemonade at a time.
Why This Book Matters for Teachers and Parents
Children learn social habits early, and books can be powerful tools to shape attitudes. Who Will Hold the Lemonade? can be used by educators and families to spark conversations about empathy, inclusion, and respectful behavior. The story gently introduces the concept of disability—in this case spina bifida—without casting the child as an object of pity. Instead, it shows how friendship and small acts of kindness create meaningful change. The book encourages children to think about how they include peers with different abilities, and how they might befriend and support someone who is often left out.
In classrooms, this story can serve as a starting point for role-playing exercises, group discussions, and activities that promote cooperative play. For parents, it is a way to talk with young children about fairness and compassion at home. The message is practical and humane: inclusion doesn’t require grand gestures—simply noticing someone, offering a hand, or inviting them to join makes a real difference.
“There are many children with disabilities who long for the friendship of their peers, but their peers seem to be oblivious to their existence. Who Will Hold the Lemonade is a beautiful book about a child suffering from spina bifida. Without pressure or guilt trips, it will open the minds of the young reader to those less mobile or fortunate who nevertheless want their friendship and can be good friends in return. This is an excellent tool to help elementary school children develop understanding and compassion for others.” – Izzy Kalman, Nationally Certified School Psychologist, author of Bullies to Buddies: How to Turn Your Enemies into Friends.
Ordering and Educator Resources
Who Will Hold the Lemonade? is published by Steuben Press. Copies can be ordered directly from the publisher:
Steuben Press
4901 E. Dry Creek Rd.
Centennial, CO 80122
Phone: 303-482-2060
The book is also available through major retailers. In addition to the book, professional development and educator enrichment options are offered, including a hands-on workshop designed for classroom use. These sessions focus on practical ways to foster inclusion, encourage peer support, and use the story as a springboard for activities that build empathy and social skills among students.
For workshop inquiries, educator materials, or further information, please contact: [email protected]