Denver kids will live “Life of a Cactus” this summer
Thousands of Denver children will learn this summer what it feels like to live without arms, or the ability to control the way they speak, thanks to “Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus.”
The humorous youth-fiction by Arizona author Dusti Bowling was announced Wednesday as the 2018 selection for Youth One Book, One Denver, a city-sponsored program that gives kids aged 9-12 free books for the summer, supported by workshops and activities from libraries, schools, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Lighthouse Writers Workshop, Art Students League of Denver, and others.
“Dusti’s wonderful book teaches our children a powerful lesson — our challenges and triumphs are universal, and by celebrating our differences and our talents, every one of us has the ability to succeed,” said Mayor Michael Hancock, following the unveiling of the book at Force Elementary, in a press statement.
“It was so exciting,” said Brooke Dilling, who attended Wednesday’s event on behalf of Denver Arts & Venues, where she manages partnerships and community programs. “We worked so hard to pick the book, so to see the mayor so engaged with the kids was great. He made them promise they’re going to do
some reading during the summer.”
Mayor Hancock, author Bowling, city councilman Kevin Flynn and other officials revealed the book to cheers from the 27 Force Elementary fifth-graders in attendance Wednesday morning.
Published in September 2017, “Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus” follows protagonist Aven Green as she moves with her parents to a run-down theme park in Arizona. Aven, who was born without arms, meets Connor, who has Tourette Syndrome, and the two misunderstood kids — who are constantly explaining themselves to the people around — bond while navigating a mystery.
The book, which the city and its educational partners are buying 3,000 softcover copies of, was inspired by author Bowling’s cousin, who was injured in the Iraq War and eventually died. On top of that, one of Bowling’s three daughters has Tourette, a poorly understood syndrome that is made worse by the stereotypical, comedically profane portrayals of it in popular culture.
“When I first started writing, I discovered there were no children’s books about characters with limb differences,” Bowling said via phone. “That’s because we were raised not to know anything about it. So that idea was always in the back of my mind, especially after I saw this video of Barbie Thomas (an armless body builder), which I couldn’t stop thinking about for years.”
Bowling also poured her own experiences with her daughter’s worsening Tourette tics (her husband also suffers from it) into the book, which seeks to destigmatize Tic Disorders and teach kids the value of empathy — all while entertaining them. Easy, right?
“The kids at Force were interested in how Aven combs her hair and brushes her teeth,” Dilling said. “But part of the reason we chose it is because the book is hilarious and the characters are great.”
With only 33 percent of Denver Public School students readthem ing to grade level by third grade, Arts & Venues officials wanted to be sure to choose a book that had general-audience appeal amid the lessons and laughs.
“We take this really seriously and go through a lot of steps,” Dilling said, noting that this is the seventh year for the program. “And the publisher was kind enough to do an advancespecial paperback printing for us.”
Bowling, who is based in Carefree, Ariz., will return to Denver July 10-12 for other events related to Youth One Book, One Denver at the McNichols Civic Center building.