Authors Jesse Lindlbauer and Ian Flanagan to speak about their children’s book
Authors Jesse Lindlbauer and Ian Flanagan, both of whom are wheelchair users, wanted to change the conversation about people with disabilities.
“Jesse and I would talk about our various experiences about our disabilities,” recalled Flanagan. “One of the mutual experiences we’ve had is we both noticed when we would go out and do things, young kids wanted to ask us questions about our wheelchairs. Their parents would be mortified and immediately pulled them away. It dawned on me that multiple generations haven’t really learned about disability-related issues, so there was this cloud, this stigma around asking these questions. People didn’t know how to address these things.”
This led to the production of their book, which Flanagan wrote and Lindlbauer illustrated, called Kevin Can! They will sign copies of their book on Friday, October 24, from 10:00 a.m. to noon at the Michigan Disability Empowerment Conference at the University of Michigan Fairlane Center South. The HFC Future Teachers Association (FTA) is hosting the two authors at the conference. HFC Pre-Education Director and FTA faculty advisor Dr. Carolyn Casale saw their book on Facebook and reached out to them.
“Carolyn told us this would be an excellent opportunity to get our book into schools. We’re not just signing our book; we’re giving dozens of copies to educators for them to distribute across the state,” said Flanagan. “We’ll also give a presentation about how we conceived the book, the whole process of creating it, how to address disabilities in the classroom, and how to present this information at an age-appropriate level. This book is a resource for having these discussions. The first time we gave presentations was so adults could do what we’re doing – teaching kids about disabilities. Now we’ll be teaching teachers about how to have these conversations too. We’re super excited about that. It’s one thing to sell books, but we’re changing education and how children are learning about disabilities.”
Addressing disability questions and issues in a children’s book
Flanagan and Lindlbauer have known each other since 2011. They met while riding the bus to what is now called Plymouth-Canton Educational Park and became fast friends. Both men live in Canton.
A graduate of Canton High School, Flanagan earned his associate degree in pre-engineering at Schoolcraft College and his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Lawrence Technological University. A graduate of Plymouth High School, Lindlebauer has studied graphic design at Washtenaw Community College.
At first, Flanagan began writing short stories about being in a wheelchair. Then he decided to turn the writings into a children’s book.
“Parents read to their kids. With a children’s book, multiple people of different ages can read it at the same time. So more people can be exposed to these ideas,” recalled Flanagan. “As Jesse and I were having this discussion, we asked, ‘What if we put our skills together and address these problems head on?’ That was the genesis of it. Our book was born out of our mutual experiences, and we melded our skills together.”
It took just under two years to complete their book.
“I liked creating the art for it,” said Lindlbauer. “We want to tell the story and spread the message that kids with disabilities can be fun to hang out with.”
Everyone can identify with disability empowerment
Kevin Can! is about disability empowerment.
“Our goal with Kevin Can! is that children can grow up and have a better understanding of disability-related issues than their parents did at their age. They can start considering disabilities in more aspects of their lives and allow people with disabilities to become more integrated into society,” explained Flanagan. “We want to help create a world where people with disabilities aren’t just tolerated, but they are integrated and valued. We want to highlight the person, not the disabilities.”
Flanagan pointed out that the more people ignore others with disabilities, the worse the experience can be.
“Anything you don’t account for will give you trouble,” he said. “Everyone will encounter someone with a disability in some way. They or someone they know could develop a disability. We want people with disabilities to know that there is a lot of positive life with a disability.”
The plot of Kevin Can! demonstrates that Kevin can have fun, perhaps in a different way. The book chronicles his adventures alongside his best friend Katie, who does not use a wheelchair.
“There’s someone you can identify with in this book,” said Flanagan. “A misconception about wheelchair users is they’re sidelined and observe others having fun. One big thing throughout the book is showing Kevin having fun, doing the same things other kids can do, differently. He can play basketball, go on the swing, ride a bike, and bring a portable ramp to enter other people’s houses. Different doesn’t mean it's not fun; it just means different. I’m hoping people who read this book take that into their adult years: They can accept people with disabilities for who they are, not what they experience.”
“Community and social media have been the great equalizers”
Since it was released in late 2023, Kevin Can! has sold nearly 2,000 copies on Amazon and 600 in person. They sell up to 30 copies at book signings. Reviews from teachers, librarians, and parents have been overwhelming positive. Word of mouth at community events and groups like Kiwanis and Rotary have been big drivers of book sales.
“People were sharing our book in community groups as far away as Lansing. Word has been getting around,” said Flanagan. “We still do social media promotions. We want to branch out into making short-form videos that promote Kevin Can! It also helps that we’ve spoken at schools. The community and social media have been the great equalizers.”
Flanagan and Lindlbauer have appeared on TV programs including FOX 2 News, Lansing's WILX-TV (Channel 10), and CBS 62 Detroit.
“We’re trying to get more schools to adopt the book for students. HFC is helping in that process too,” said Lindlbauer.
“The FTA is excited to host Kevin Can! authors Jesse Lindlbauer and Ian Flanagan,” said Casale. “My pre-elementary education students are always looking for valuable literacy tools. This book represents an opportunity to engage in positive discussions and delve into motivations to write.”
Elementary schools in Michigan and beyond
Flanagan and Lindlbauer are working on their next book in the Kevin Can! series. This book focuses on a service dog named Cocoa, explaining the role of a service dog. Throughout the book, Cocoa helps Kevin with various tasks – such as picking up what he drops, helping him with doors, pulling him to shore while swimming.
“Cocoa helps Kevin be independent and increases his independence. The book will also teach children how to behave around service dogs: When the dogs have the vest on, they’re working, so you can’t play with them or pet them,” said Flanagan. “We want this book to have emotional impact in addition to its educational aspects. Even though it’s part of the Kevin Can! series, you don’t have to read the first book to read this one.”
Added Lindlbauer: “We’re in the process of rewriting it. We should have the final draft done by the end of the year.”
Both authors are excited to spread the message of Kevin Can! to future students and teachers.
“We would love to get this book in all elementary schools across Michigan and beyond because right now, the curriculum doesn’t really cover disability awareness,” said Flanagan. “We want that to become something that’s normalized, so everyone can grow up in a more accessible and inclusive world.”
The book signing is free. If you plan to only attend the book signing, you do not have to register for the conference.
For questions or more information about the Kevin Can! book signing and presentation, contact Casale at ccasale@hfcc.edu.