Why the book matter?
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As Christelle Dreyer, co-founder of Tractus Art explains:
"Now, as an adult and an artist living with a disability,
I continue to grapple with the scarcity of stories that reflect individuals like me. While these books feature characters with disabilities are essential and important, they still fall short in portraying people with disabilities as adults. Children with disabilities seldom find depictions of themselves as active and valuable participants in society within these narritives."
Rhythms of Resilience
A Story of Dance and Determination
A Story of Dance and Determination tells the uplifting story of a young boy from the Eastern Cape who discovers his passion for dance in new and unexpected ways. Growing up in a family who loves to dance, Tumi’s world is full of rhythm and joy. But when he loses his hearing, the sounds he once knew disappear. Learning to sense music through vibrations, Tumi finds a new connection to dance and joins a school where he learns sign language and reconnects with movement in African, gumboot, pantsula, and contemporary dance styles.
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Tumi’s journey isn’t easy—he faces rejection from dance auditions simply for being Deaf—but his determination never fades. He begins teaching classes for dancers of all abilities, sharing the joy of movement with others.
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Perfect for young readers and families, Rhythms of Resilience with Tumi is a heartfelt story of resilience, community, and the unbreakable power of expression through dance. With each step and swirl, Tumi shows that sometimes the most beautiful rhythms are the ones we feel, not hear.​
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Narrator
Jayne Batzofin
Illustrator
Frank Lunar
Funding
campaign progress
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We're raising funds to print and distribute 1,000 copies of "Rhythms of Resilience," a book that celebrates the power and potential of people with disabilities.
