This 12-year-old model and actress has a special message for you
WORD HUNT
In the article, find:
FACT FINDER
WORD HUNT
In the article, find:
FACT FINDER
@thesanchezsi
Sofia and her mom, Jennifer
Sofia Sanchez stands under the bright lights, her blond hair shining, her brown eyes beaming. The 12-year-old turns toward the camera and flashes her famous grin.
Click! Click! Click!
Sofia is a model and actress. You might have seen her in ads for shoes or LEGO®. Or maybe you’ve seen her on TV, in a Target commercial or on a news show talking about her book.
Sofia is not a typical 12-year-old. She has a condition called Down syndrome. Some kids who are born with Down syndrome learn at a different pace than their friends. Many also have health issues, like heart problems.
Pronouncing words is challenging for Sofia. She has to remember to talk slowly so people can understand her.
But having Down syndrome is just a part of who Sofia is. Sure, she’s different. But, as Sofia says, “different is beautiful.”
Sofia Sanchez stands under the bright lights. Her blond hair is shining. Her brown eyes are beaming. She turns toward the camera. She flashes her famous grin.
Click! Click! Click!
Sofia is 12 years old. She is a model and actress. Maybe you’ve seen her in ads for shoes or LEGO®. Or you’ve seen her on TV. She’s been in Target commercials. She’s also been on a news show to talk about her book.
Sofia is not a usual girl. She has a condition called Down syndrome. Some kids who are born with Down syndrome learn at a different pace than their friends. Many have health issues.
Sofia has to work extra hard to pronounce words. She has to remember to talk slowly so people can understand her. But having Down syndrome is just a part of who Sofia is. Sure, she’s different. But “different is beautiful,” Sofia says.
Going Viral
Illustrated by Sofia Cardoso
As a little girl, Sofia loved being in front of the camera. When she was 6, she appeared in a TV show. She also started posing for clothing companies. Then in October 2016, her mom, Jennifer, took a video of Sofia for Down Syndrome Awareness Month.
“Is Down syndrome scary?” Jennifer asked in the video.
“No, it’s not scary,” Sofia said, breaking into a smile. “It’s so exciting.”
Jennifer posted the video on Instagram and Facebook. Soon, it went viral, with millions of views. Suddenly, Sofia was all over the news.
As a little girl, Sofia loved being in front of the camera. When she was 6, she appeared in a TV show. She also started posing for clothing companies. Then in October 2016, her mom, Jennifer, took a video of Sofia. It was for Down Syndrome Awareness Month.
“Is Down syndrome scary?” Jennifer asked in the video.
“No, it’s not scary,” Sofia said, breaking into a smile. “It’s so exciting.”
Jennifer posted the video online. Soon, it went viral. It had millions of views. Suddenly, Sofia was all over the news.
“Just BE YOU!”
For Sofia, being famous is a chance to show kids it’s OK to be different. That’s the message of her new picture book You Are Enough.
In the book, a cartoon version of Sofia hangs out with all sorts of kids. Some use a wheelchair. Some have glasses or crutches.
“Being different is what makes you special,” Sofia says, grinning, in the book. “Just BE YOU! Because you are enough!
For Sofia, being famous is a chance to show kids it’s OK to be different. That’s the message of her new picture book. It’s called You Are Enough.
In the book, a cartoon version of Sofia hangs out with many different types of kids. Some use a wheelchair. Some have glasses or crutches.
“Being different is what makes you special,” Sofia says in the book. She’s grinning. “Just BE YOU! Because you are enough!”
Sofia's Advice
(from her book, You Are Enough)
Sofia's Advice
(from her book, You Are Enough)
This article was originally published in the October/November 2021 issue.
This article was originally published in the October/November 2021 issue.
Can't-Miss Teaching Extras
Share Sofia Sanchez’s wonderful picture book, You Are Enough, with your class. Students might recognize some of the adorable illustrated characters in the book from the Storyworks article!
This page from KidsHealth explains what Down syndrome is and what life is like for kids with Down syndrome. The page is also available in Spanish.
