Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime and start saving today with fast, free delivery

$17.19 with 9 percent savings

List Price: $18.99

FREE pickup Friday, July 26 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35

Or fastest pickup Thursday, July 25. Order within 23 hrs 26 mins

THE UPS STORE

1.27 mi | ASHBURN 20147

How pickup works

In Stock

$$17.19 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details

Enhancements you chose aren't available for this seller. Details

${cardName} not available for the seller you chose

${cardName} unavailable for quantities greater than ${maxQuantity}.

Sold by

Amazon.com

Sold by

Amazon.com

Returns

Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt

Returnable	Yes
Resolutions	Eligible for refund or replacement
Return Window	30 days from delivery
Refund Timelines	Typically, an advance refund will be issued within 24 hours of a drop-off or pick-up. For returns that require physical verification, refund issuance may take up to 30 days after drop-off or pick up. Where an advance refund is issued, we will re-charge your payment method if we do not receive the correct item in original condition. See details here.
Late fee	A late fee of 20% of the item price will apply if you complete the drop off or pick up after the ‘Return By Date’.
Restocking fee	A restocking fee may apply if the item is not returned in original condition and original packaging, or is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to Amazon or seller error. See details here.

Returns

Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt

Returnable	Yes
Resolutions	Eligible for refund or replacement
Return Window	30 days from delivery
Refund Timelines	Typically, an advance refund will be issued within 24 hours of a drop-off or pick-up. For returns that require physical verification, refund issuance may take up to 30 days after drop-off or pick up. Where an advance refund is issued, we will re-charge your payment method if we do not receive the correct item in original condition. See details here.
Late fee	A late fee of 20% of the item price will apply if you complete the drop off or pick up after the ‘Return By Date’.
Restocking fee	A restocking fee may apply if the item is not returned in original condition and original packaging, or is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to Amazon or seller error. See details here.

Return instructions

Item must be in original condition and packaging along with tag, accessories, manuals, and inserts. Unlock any electronic device, delete your account and remove all personal information.

Read full return policy

Payment

Secure transaction

Payment

Secure transaction

We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more

Details

Other sellers on Amazon

New & Used (52) from $11.30 + $3.99 shipping

Image Unavailable

Image not available for
Color:

To view this video download Flash Player

Follow the author

James Catchpole

Follow

What Happened to You? (What Happened to You?, 1) Hardcover – Picture Book, April 11, 2023

by James Catchpole (Author), Karen George (Illustrator)

4.8 492 ratings

See all formats and editions

{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$17.19","priceAmount":17.19,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"17","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"19","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"7Qa2sGg2APRsNdTk7y2%2B6Z%2B%2FE1kV2v5s9%2F1xwxCYUeP%2FWGJrMzdWky8zTeLFbfoSg%2BMh%2BVLA40PzkA7BihQjspQv6hNTe%2FJyf1M%2F48Mvn0NzFcNXsrNp8gFKqAwqeP05suKC6izfqguAADH%2Bz9f8%2FA%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}],"desktop_buybox_group_2":[{"displayPrice":"$17.19","priceAmount":17.19,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"17","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"19","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"7Qa2sGg2APRsNdTk7y2%2B6Z%2B%2FE1kV2v5s9%2F1xwxCYUeP%2FWGJrMzdWky8zTeLFbfoSg%2BMh%2BVLA40PzkA7BihQjspQv6hNTe%2FJyf1M%2F48Mvn0NzFcNXsrNp8gFKqAwqeP05suKC6izfqguAADH%2Bz9f8%2FA%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"PICKUP","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

A Schneider Family Book Award Honor book! This accessible, funny, and groundbreaking story addresses the questions children often ask, as well as a disabled child's choice not to answer.

What happened to you? Was it a shark? A burglar? A lion? Did it fall off? A boy named Joe is trying to play pirates at the playground, but he keeps being asked what happened to his leg. Bombarded with questions and silly suggestions, Joe becomes more and more fed up...until the kids finally understand they don't need to know what happened. And that they’re wasting valuable playtime!

Based on the author’s real childhood experiences, this honest, funny, and authentic picture book is an empowering read for anyone with a disability, and for young readers learning how best to address differences.

Reading age

3 - 6 years, from customers
Print length

40 pages
Language

English
Grade level

Preschool - 3
Dimensions

10.45 x 0.55 x 10.35 inches
Publisher

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date

April 11, 2023
ISBN-10

0316506478
ISBN-13

978-0316506472
See all details

Frequently bought together

What Happened to You? (What Happened to You?, 1)

$17.19

Get it as soon as Friday, Jul 26

In Stock

Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.

+

Just Ask!: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You

$10.66

Get it as soon as Friday, Jul 26

In Stock

Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.

+

When Charley Met Emma (Charley and Emma Stories, 1)

$9.99

Get it as soon as Friday, Jul 26

In Stock

Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.

Total price:

To see our price, add these items to your cart.

Try again!

Details

Added to Cart

Choose items to buy together.

Jayneen Sanders
43
Paperback
$10.95
Get it as soon as Friday, Jul 26
FREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by Amazon
Marla Frazee
62
Hardcover
$11.96
Get it as soon as Friday, Jul 26
FREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by Amazon
Dave Eggers
573
Hardcover
$13.68
Get it as soon as Friday, Jul 26
FREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by Amazon
Alexandra Hoffman
177
Paperback
$12.99
Get it as soon as Friday, Jul 26
FREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by Amazon
Vashti Harrison
465
Hardcover
$13.81
Get it as soon as Friday, Jul 26
FREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by Amazon
Aida Salazar
15
Hardcover
$17.99
Get it as soon as Friday, Jul 26
FREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by Amazon

Editorial Reviews

Review

A Schneider Family Book Award Honor Book
A Kirkus Best Picture Book of the Year
A Junior Library Guild Selection
A Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year
A 2024 Nevada Young Readers’ Award Nominee
A 2024-2025 Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Book Award Nominee

* "Delightful, necessary, and long overdue."―Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* "Too few picture books recognize and validate the full, happy lives of children who have disabilities; this one does both with sensitivity, good will, and humor."―The Horn Book, starred review

"As a person with a limb difference, 'What happened to you?' is a question I get asked just about every day. With playful illustrations, silly scenarios, and important life lessons, this book teaches us all what's actually important when we make a new friend: seeing them for who they are on the inside. Every child should have this book on their shelf."―Josh Sundquist, author of We Should Hang Out Sometime

"Basing the story on his own experiences, the author addresses both sides of the query with humor and empathy.... While humorous gouache and colored-pencil illustrations of imagined scenarios keep the tone light, the message comes through clearly."―Booklist

"Inspired by author Catchpole’s own experience growing up with a disability, the book deftly tackles a serious subject with levity, heart, and understanding. The lighthearted story teaches children (and adults) how to be around people with disabilities and to look past outward appearances to what really matters."―Christian Science Monitor

About the Author

James Catchpole runs The Catchpole Agency with his wife Lucy and is the author of What Happened to You? James lives in the United Kingdom with Lucy and their two young daughters and invites you to visit their family online at thecatchpoles.net and on Instagram @thecatchpoles.

Karen George received a first class honors degree in Fine Art as well as an MA from The Royal College of Art. She has also won Waterstone’s "Picture This" competition to illustrate Freddie and the Fairy and now joyfully spends her time drawing, painting, and writing. Karen lives in Bristol with her family and Dr. Calamari the cat. Find her online at karengeorge.net and on Instagram @karengeorge_books.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (April 11, 2023)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 40 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0316506478
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0316506472
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 3 - 6 years, from customers
Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool - 3
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 10.45 x 0.55 x 10.35 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #86,211 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #162 in Children's Books on Disabilities
- #1,363 in Children's Books on Emotions & Feelings (Books)
- #2,068 in Children's Friendship Books

Customer Reviews:
4.8 492 ratings

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Videos

Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video!

Upload your video

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.

James Catchpole

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

James runs the Catchpole literary agency with his wife Lucy in Oxford, England. He sometimes writes books about a child-version of himself called Joe. He filled some of the time between being Joe's age and the age he is now, by being an amputee footballer and itinerant busker, two professions where it actively helps to have one leg.

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5

492 global ratings

How customer reviews and ratings work

Customers say

Customers find the writing quality wonderful and sweet. They also appreciate the friendly illustrations and easy reading style. Readers also find the book instructive and fun to share with their children. They say the story provides a great opportunity to talk about ableism.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more

Writing quality Writing style Conversation starter Story

13 customers mention "Writing quality"13 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing quality of the book wonderful, charming, excellent, and a great addition to their collection. They also say it's funny and thoughtful about a topic that can be difficult for kids.

"...It was very sweet how you find out that children with disabilities don't want to talk about their differences, or be stared at, they just want to..." Read more

"Good teaching for young kids" Read more

"...This one is excellent...." Read more

"This is such a wonderful and charming book. The illustrations are delightful and the text is very kid friendly while still making such a great point...." Read more

7 customers mention "Writing style"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing style well-written, friendly, and easy to read. They also appreciate the simple and clear examples of what parents can do instead of talking about it.

"I liked how fluid this book was to read. It was easy and quick to read...." Read more

"...Families would find it fun and instructive in sharing with their own children about how like we all are even with orthopedic impairments...." Read more

"...It also provides simple and clear examples of what parents can do instead when talking about disability and healthy boundaries with their children..." Read more

"This is such a wonderful and charming book. The illustrations are delightful and the text is very kid friendly while still making such a great point...." Read more

6 customers mention "Conversation starter"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book a great opportunity to talk about ableism, making a brilliant point, and enlightening orthopedic impairment from the perspectives of children.

"...this book to adults and children alike because it brings up an important simple fact that everyone in society needs to learn about disability...." Read more

"...are delightful and the text is very kid friendly while still making such a great point...." Read more

"This is a book everyone should own. Perfect reminder that the best way to respect someone is to just treat them like a human being and not ask..." Read more

"My kids enjoyed the story and it gave us a great opportunity to talk about ableism." Read more

3 customers mention "Story"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the story excellent.

"...The moral of the story came quickly and it was sort of lost on them at first and did more explaining...." Read more

"It was well written. Still enough of a plot to keep my kiddo engaged while teaching a valuable lesson." Read more

"Excellent Story..." Read more

Reviews with images

See all photos

Sort reviews by

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Annie Arnold

Very sweet book

Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2022

Verified Purchase

I liked how fluid this book was to read. It was easy and quick to read. I bought it for my preschool students and they really enjoyed the imagine of the boy the book is about. The moral of the story came quickly and it was sort of lost on them at first and did more explaining.
I did more research on this book and there are lesson plans made by the author that can go along with this book. It was very sweet how you find out that children with disabilities don't want to talk about their differences, or be stared at, they just want to have fun just like you and me.

6 people found this helpful

Helpful

marilyn

Great for kids

Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2023

Verified Purchase

This is a great book for me as an adult amputee to help put children at ease with their questions

Helpful

Ms.Mary

Brilliantly enlightening view on orthopedic impairment from the perspectives of children.

Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2024

Verified Purchase

My book of choice is titled “What Happened to You” written by Author James Catchpole, illustrated by Karen George and published by Faber & Faber Limited. This 32-page juvenile nonfiction book that shares a story of a boy living with a physical impairment of the leg. I found the book on both Goodreads and Amazon.com where I ultimately purchased my hardback copy for $18.99. This story book would be a great addition to any child’s library because it is written in language that is typical of childhood conversations, the characters are believable and diverse, and the illustrations are friendly and mild enough for all senses. Families would find it fun and instructive in sharing with their own children about how like we all are even with orthopedic impairments. Joe is faced with a slew of questions on the playground about what happened to his leg. “What happened to you?” they all wanted to know and I particularly appreciate the language used in the children’s conversations. When Joe continually diverts the questions posed by the other children their imaginative guesses become more elaborate much to Joe’s frustration. Because it is so honest and written from the perspective of Joe and in a child’s words, I have no reservations about sharing this book with all varieties of audiences. I will be adding it to our Health Equity Lending Library for use in childcare programs across the state.

Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2024

Verified Purchase

Written from the actual perspective of a child with a disability! It’s exhausting dealing with the same intrusive questions over and over - it’s great to see a book that helps disabled kids handle these kinds of questions. Now we need a book on how to handle rubber-neckers!

Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2023

Verified Purchase

Good teaching for young kids

Helpful

Amazon Customer

Hope this book will be translated into many different languages!

Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2021

Verified Purchase

I would recommend this book to adults and children alike because it brings up an important simple fact that everyone in society needs to learn about disability.
And the book does this in a gentle yet matter of fact way that that makes the reader(no matter the age) reflect on disability in a respectful and empathetic way that makes perfect sense when you first really think of it. And in a way that perfectly reflects children's ability to reflect and learn even when met with something that conflicts with their previously lived experiances.

It also provides simple and clear examples of what parents can do instead when talking about disability and healthy boundaries with their children that doesn't create shame or fear.

I love that the book is in fact written by someone who has had lived experiance with the subject since childhood and therefore manages to illustrate this theme in a realistic and respectful way.

The illustrations are charming. They bring out the story in a live way that can easily catch the eye and imagination of young children. Beautifully drawn in a way that doesn't dominate the story being told but lifts it and at the same time manages to show the emotional expressions and the fantastic life of children's imagination.

This is a book that I wished everyone had read, that existed when I myself was a kid. A book that should be added to any bookshelf/library including in kindergardens. This is a book I would've loved to read with the kids in the kindergardens I worked in. I can imagine all the good conversations and musings we could've had and also it being used as a positive tool to educate them in how to view disability and the disabled in a non-ableist way.

I hope this book will be translated into many different languages so that as many adults and children can get as full access to it as possible!

Thank you James Catchpole and Karen George!

20 people found this helpful

Helpful

Mary T. Miller

Lovely book!

Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2023

Verified Purchase

The illustration and the words of this book help the reader understand that ultimately some questions don’t need to be answered. What is most important is what you find without questions.

Helpful

Carol

Good conversation starter

Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2023

Verified Purchase

My son can look at the pictures on his own but we can also read it together. I like that it takes a positive route to letting kids know they don’t have to talk about any abilities or anything they don’t want to talk about at all

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English

Amy

Wonderful Book, Sparks Conversation

Reviewed in Canada on September 19, 2023

Verified Purchase

I love this book and am excited to read it with my Kindergarten class. Definitely follow the author on Instagram. I appreciate how he also has a limb difference; representation in authors and illustrators is important!

Juan C.

Conciencia a los niños sobre las discapacidades de otros niños

Reviewed in Spain on March 6, 2022

Verified Purchase

Me parece un libro interesante para que los niños aprendan que otros niños pueden tener algún tipo de discapacidad y cómo deben tratarles

Translate review to English

Sarah

Good book with an important lesson

Reviewed in Germany on May 30, 2021

Verified Purchase

The kids loved this book and learned a lot from it.

Tom Slattery (Tomsbookcorner)

Beautiful picture book about disability and building empathy.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 3, 2021

Verified Purchase

“Joe spends his morning frequenting the park,

Playing a fearsome pirate, capturing a shark.

Taunting crocs, then out of the blue…

A girl come along and asks ‘What happened to you?’

Now pirates, on the whole, don’t like to be disturbed.

And the interruption left Joe a little perturbed.

You see, Joe has one leg, which made the girl ask,

While joe was enjoying his treasure hunting task.

Was it a burglar? Was it a shark?

Did it fall off? Is it lost in the park?

Why does it matter? Enough of the chat.

Let’s play pirates! And the kids seemed happy with that.”

Joe loves to play in the park where his imagination runs wild! As a pirate, with his trusty sword, he partakes in a fierce battle against the sharks and the crocodiles. That is until a young girl approaches (stepping on his imaginary shark) and announces:

“You’ve only got one leg!”

Then followed the inevitable question:

“What happened to you?”

Now Joe is in the middle of a ferocious battle with the sharks and doesn’t have time for such silly questions! And the more children pipe up with the same questions and even more imaginative suggestions as to where his leg has gone. Was it stolen? Did it fall off? Did the Sharks get it?

Joe just wants to play! He becomes overwhelmed with the interest in him…

Then the same girl from before notices something much more interesting… A Crocodile…

Pirate Joe springs into action! The children grab their swords and restart the battle and all conversations of legs suddenly don’t matter!

As a teacher for many years, one of the most wonderful things about the job is the children’s curiosity! You can be teaching the most incredible lesson about the circulatory system when a hand goes up:

“Sir, do you have a wife?”

“Sir, have you watched Guardians of the galaxy?”

“Sir, do you have Tiktok?” (What is this tiktok of which they speak.)

“Sir, did you watch the Villa match?” (Yes I did)

And aside from the curiosity, you also get such wonderful unashamed optimism and innocence. Again you could be reading a wonderful story to Reception and half way through a hand goes up:

“Sir it was my mum’s birthday last weekend.” (Cue everyone wanting to share when their mum’s birthday is.)

“Sir, my favourite colour is green.” (Cue everyone wanting to share their favourite colour.)

“Sir, my mum says that she doesn’t like Peter’s mum.” (Cue Peter crying)

Now aside from the internal screaming or outward laughing, these are the stories you go back home and tell your families but also the ones you’ll remember.

Why am I sharing all this? Because while I thought this book was going to be about a boy with one leg and disability awareness (which it also is), it was more about the inevitable and incessant questions and words that wonderfully fly out of the mouths of children when their curiosity is piqued but may not necessarily be appropriate or empathetic.

Told in such a lovely, often humorous, way, it explores how children are naturally curious in their way of understanding the world but that what is their unusual, is someone else’s normal.

It also highlights the wonderful notion that children don’t create segregation, they are accepting of race, background, disability – they bond over play, joy, laughs, shared interests. What I thought particularly poignant was how the children were not referred to by names while they were seeing Joe for his missing leg, but then once they bonded over a really good game of pirates, their names were revealed signifying how they had understood each other.

It explored how we didn’t need to know what had happened to Joe’s leg in order to build a connection and although Joe may feel like it is an important part of who he is, it doesn’t have to be his one defining feature. What I thought was particularly powerful is how you never find out what happened to his leg because that wasn’t important and it’s not the point of the story.

What really challenged my thinking in a brilliant way was how so many picture books have a theme of ‘celebrating difference’, this almost turns it on it’s head with ‘celebrating and finding the similarities – the common ground.’ I definitely see how this would have a wonderful place in many a PSHE lesson in primary school.

I have to comment on Karen George’s lovely illustrations and the clever way that she distinguishes her visuals of the reality and also the children’s imagination combined.

An extra special element of the book is the last page where James offers advice to parents when their child might inexplicably shout out the questions. A really personal page coming from lived experiences is advice we should all take on board.

A wonderful children’s book, beautifully illustrated that celebrates children’s curiosity while introducing empathy and embracing our similarities and looking for the things that connect us. Equally, its a great way to talk and introduce disability to children so many they don’t have those ‘shout out’ moment the next time they see a disabled person in a shop.

31 people found this helpful