What Do You Want on Your Pancakes?: Short Stories for All

by Tom Fish, Gail Ritter, Anke Groß-Kunkel

For far too long, there has been a shortage of literature that addresses adult issues and experiences in a way that is both easily readable and meaningful for readers of all levels. That's what inspired us to write What Do You Want on Your Pancakes? Our collection of short stories and a play uses easy language, big print, and pictures to enhance readability and comprehension. We also make sure each page ends with a complete sentence.

Originally, we had the members of our Next Chapter Book Club (NCBC) in mind when writing What Do You Want on Your Pancakes? The Next Chapter Book Club is a literacy program established in 2002 at the Ohio State University by Dr. Tom Fish. NCBC is a community-based book club program for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) that provides weekly opportunities for members to read and learn together, talk about books, and make friends in a community setting.

Beyond being full of easy-to-read selections, What Do You Want on Your Pancakes? is also interactive! The stories and the play include questions or thoughts interspersed throughout for the reader to consider. This was done to spark conversation and to help readers focus on the issues addressed in each selection.

Another unique feature of this book is that, at the end of each selection, readers can access hands-on activities related to what they have just read. These activities are fun, creative, and can be completed either individually or as a group.

Having completed What Do You Want on Your Pancakes?, we realize that our targeted readership goes well beyond the members of our Next Chapter Book Clubs. We are hoping the selections in our book ring true with a wide range of readers. After all, everyone should have access to a good book! Happy reading, one and all!

272 pages, Paperback

Published December 23, 2024

Reviews

[Jillian Ober, NCBC Program Manager · Rating 5 out of 5]

Authors Tom Fish, Gail Ritter, Anke Gross-Kunkel, and Desi Doolin address the persistent lack of engaging and accessible reading material for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in What Do You Want on Your Pancakes? Although the collection of fun and relatable short stories (and one play) was written with Next Chapter Book Club members in mind, the book has wide-ranging appeal for anyone looking to read about the changes, challenges, and surprises of adult life. In one story, we meet a woman whose much-anticipated vacation is derailed as her mother (and travel companion) ends up in the hospital. In another story, a man struggles with the ups and mostly-downs of the dating scene. Other characters in What Do You Want on Your Pancakes? learn to have self-compassion as they practice new skills, bond with animals of all kinds, befriend elderly neighbors, and decide if it is really that important to make your bed every day.

In addition to relevant storylines and diverse characters, the book offers thoughtful discussion questions spread throughout, as well as clever and accessible activities at the end of each story. The questions and activities help readers to connect with the characters and consider new ideas. As a Next Chapter Book Club Program Manager, I am thrilled to be able to offer What Do You Want on Your Pancakes? to our book clubs, and I cannot recommend the book highly enough.

[Abby Salyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our Next Chapter book club just finished this today. We celebrated with baked goods, considering the last story. Everyone enjoyed the stories, the content, and the applicable storylines. As a facilitator, I loved the breaks for dialogue in between. They allowed a wonderful, natural way for everyone to learn about one another. There have been several people who have joined and have told me they’re so happy they get to have friends again ❤️ We loved this book and look forward to others!