Small Miracles: The Inspiring Kids of Variety Village
Mike Strobel
Northchannel Press (2021)
ISBN: 978-1-7779192-0-7
Reviewed by Kathy Stickles for Reader Views (2/2)
There is no way to describe how wonderful this book is. It is captivating and there is no way that one can read the book and not have their sprits lifted and finish it without feeling happy and so proud of these children and the people that support them and help them every day at Variety Village. Plus… The pictures are so beautiful and you end up feeling so proud of each and every one of these children and what they represent to themselves, their families, and those around them.
Mr. Strobel has shown us through his words exactly what Variety Village stands for. Located in Toronto, this is a place where one can go to find a happiness and inspiration just watching the people who are there. As the author states, “Variety Village is a whir of wheelchairs, walkers, canes—and kids, young and old,” all of whom have some sort of disability that makes them different from the rest of the world and all of whom live with it and make something of it with the help of those in the village. They are all “happy to be there,” and completely “in their element.” The book tells the stories of some of the children at the village as well as a few stories of kids who are now grown up and what they have accomplished and continue to accomplish as well as the hardships that they have to live through on a daily basis due to their disabilities.
This is one of the most inspirational and heart-warming group of stories that this reader has ever seen and, when you are having one of those days or questioning something that is bringing you down, I cannot recommend enough picking up this book and reading. These stories make one realize that, no matter what is happening in their own lives, it is not as bad as what many others must go through on a daily basis. And… I’ve already said this, but it bears repeating… the pictures make the whole book. To look at these beautiful faces and see in them the courage and strength that is not found in most adults in this world, makes you understand that what you may go through has nothing on them and we need to remember that.
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