Having Joyce herself narrate the book is powerful. Suddenly, Judith is creating unique pieces of sculpture and is celebrated as an artist.įull of sorrow and loss, this picture book examines the destructive nature of the systematic institutionalization of people with special needs to both the person institutionalized and their loved ones. Months go by until her teachers give her some natural materials and fabric. Judith attends but won’t participate at all. Joyce finds Judith an art program to be part of. Eventually, she is able to bring Judith out of the institution and to live with her. She continues to think of Judith as being at her side all the time. As they grow older, Joyce gets married and has children. There is no playground, no desks, no books. They don’t visit for a long time and when they do, the school isn’t like other schools. Then her parents send Judith to a special school where she will live and learn to talk. Judith has Down syndrome and has never spoken. Then Joyce is sent to kindergarten and Judith is left behind. The two sisters shared everything with one another, playing together all the time.

Told by Joyce Scott, the twin sister of Judith, this picture book explores the closeness of the sisters as small children until they are separated for years.

Unbound: The Life & Art of Judith Scott by Joyce Scott with Brie Spangler and Melissa Sweet, illustrated by Melissa Sweet (9780525648116)

Unbound judith scott