A picture book about an inchworm missing one front leg
Ziggy moves through the world inch by inch, finding friendship, courage, and belonging along the way. A gentle story about disability, inclusion, and the quiet bravery of living fully within yourself.
"Inch by inch, we learn to see each other."Download the Ziggy Red Swing Toolkit (PDF)
Ziggy the inchworm is different, but he just wants to join the other creatures at play. Will he find a way?
Ziggy is a picture book about patience, belonging, and the quiet strength found in being different. With warm, rhythmic language and vivid garden illustrations, it offers young readers a gentle reminder that courage often looks like showing up as yourself, one small step at a time. Alongside Ziggy, readers will discover that big changes really do start small, inch by inch.
Empathy
Feeling someone's experience without making it your own.
Inclusion
Making space, slowing down, inviting in. Inclusion is an active endeavor, not a passive one.
Awareness
Difference is part of life, not something to fear or fix.
Resilience
"Inch by inch" you find your own pace and keep it.
Ability
Every child contributes, and disability never erases that.
An educator & family toolkit
A printable coloring & reflection booklet for ages 3–7. Includes four pages that pair a Ziggy illustration with a simple discussion prompt, plus a blank page for children to create their own garden friend.
Download the toolkit (PDF)Color Ziggy
Color Ziggy, then answer: What makes Ziggy special?
Ziggy and a friend
Color Ziggy with a new pal and talk about how friends help each other.
Ziggy's garden
Color the garden scene and discuss what helps everyone feel included.
Create a new garden friend
Draw and color an all-new friend for Ziggy's garden.
For my brother Daniel
Daniel was six years older than me, nonverbal, wheelchair-bound, and feeding tube dependent. Although he could not speak, Daniel loved ABC picture books, Elmo videos, classical music, ballet, movement, laughter, and swinging on his special red swing at our local park.
I wrote Ziggy for him, and for every child who has waited too long to find themselves in a story.
— Amanda Gutwillig
Read the full story →Bring Ziggy into your classroom or home
Educators can request a review copy