Marylin Leinenbach 
Leah Marie and Santa 

In the times we are living in, we all need to be more aware that we shouldn’t be focusing on differences, but rather on how we are alike. Most children dream of the magical man in the red suit who visits them with gifts during the holidays in December. However, some children may worry that Santa may not know what they’d like because they have difficulty communicating. In this story, Leah Marie, a little girl with Down syndrome who can’t speak clearly, wonders whether Santa will know what she wants for Christmas. She solves her dilemma by using her own way of communicating and learns that Santa understands all children. The moments shared in this book come directly from the experiences of Leah Marie, the great-granddaughter of one of the authors. This book is relatable to all families, caretakers and teachers who struggle to help children realize the many ways they can express their thoughts and feelings. There is a positive message at the end about creative and unique ways to communicate with others. This is a must-read for a wide audience of those who live with and interact with children of all ages and abilities every day.