Sam Findlater
MA Children's illustration. Former secondary school teacher, specialised in additional learning needs. Often found with a pen in my left hand and a square of dark chocolate in my right hand- a balanced life is a good life!
I created 'Lost' many years ago whilst still teaching, it came out of my observation that there needed to be more texts which were fully accessible to all learners: the neurodiverse and the neurotypical; the English additional language as well as those for whom English was their only language. Each time a young person is given differentiated material to the rest of the class, a little bit of their self-esteem is eroded, it communicates that they are "not able" which is not true. It is that they can't access the same material as the rest of the class in that format. And that is a completely different thing. So, why not have more texts which are fully accessible to everyone? A classroom where barriers to learning are removed is a class full of fascinating minds, capable of amazing ideas, different ways of thinking and different ways of seeing. That diversity in ways of thinking and doing is a strength society needs to harness!
But Lost is not just for students or teachers. It's suitable for anyone from 7 through to adult. Wordless books have many proven benefits.
Reading Lost requires empathy. Research shows that when empathy is activated we experience a positive boost to our mood. Research also shows adults can benefit from reading picture books too, it reduces anxiety, promotes wellness and if read before bed improves sleep.
As the reader of Lost you are co-author, so it's your story as much as mine, and I'm sure together we have created something interesting! But the meaning you make will develop with "reads" whilst the basic plot is signposted in the initial read, the story develops when you have looked though it a few times and then sat down to "read it"...a bit like a cup of tea brewing or a photo developing... thank you for your looking at my bio and if you have ordered and liked Lost please do leave a review!
