Lisa Wentzell and Heidi Bullen, with Scarborough High School’s BUDDY SYSTEM, presents to Pleasant Hill School. Courtesy of Michelle Lajoie
Lisa Wentzell and Heidi Bullen, authors of “A Dog and His Boy: The Adventures of Spillway & Scotty” visited Pleasant Hill, Blue Point, and Eight Corners schools in Scarborough on March 22, with Lisa’s son Scotty Wentzell, to share the story of him and his dog Spillway.
Scotty was born with Dubowitz syndrome, a rare chromosol disorder that causes developmental delays. With his life-size stuffed dog Spillway, Scotty lives his life. They goes horseback riding, spend time at their family’s camp, goes skiing and surfing, and more.
Lisa Wentzell and Heidi Bullen co-wrote a children’s book about the dog and his boy. The book came out in February and illustrates themes of acceptance, kindness, and inclusivity for all, including those with disabilities.
Claudia Diller worked on the book as an illustrator. Stephanie Mulligan, founder of McSea Books, published the piece.
The book is told from the perspective of Spillway. The authors have been doing readings and presentations around the state.
The presentations at the schools in Scarborough were sponsored by the Scarborough High School BUDDY SYSTEM, a program that unites special education and mainstream students, with financial support from the Scarborough Education Foundation. The visits coincided with Developmental Delay Awareness Month and Special Olympics Maine’s “Spread the Word: Inclusion” campaign.
The Scarborough Education Foundation provided the funding for Scarborough High School’s BUDDY SYSTEM to deliver copies of the book to each classroom. Each kindergarten through second grade student received their own copy to take home.
Scotty Wentzell and members of Scarborough High School’s BUDDY SYSTEM waiting to greet Pleasant Hill students after the presentation of “A Dog and His Boy”. Courtesy of Michelle Lajoie
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