Dear Parents,

Who is invisible? How can someone become invisible? This is an important and sensitive social issue presented by the author through telling the true story of Isabel, a girl whom poverty has made invisible. Feeling excluded and disregarded, Isabel became invisible. No one can see her; therefore, she is lonely and unhappy. Isabel realized she was not alone; there were more invisible people, such as the elderly, the poor, the immigrants, and people with disabilities. Isabel takes the initiative to help other invisible people. Through solidarity and group work, 'the invisibles' change their reality and environment, and become happy visible people.

A child may be invisible or make another child so. Therefore, it is essential to take an active role and discuss exclusion in school and the neighborhood. We can also consult with a group of children about ways to support a child who is bullied or excluded to include them in the group and spread anti-exclusion and pro-inclusion messages.

We must talk to our children about situations in which they felt they were invisible, and about which practices the believe are the best to deal with these situations. By including our children, loving them, and enhancing their self-confidence, we provide them a protective shield in case they are subjected to similar situations. This book carries a social message suggesting that if we reach out, help, and see every member of society, we can overcome hardships and save ourselves as a society.

Discuss

• The title: we should ask our children what does "the invisible girl" mean? We should follow the drawings and ask the children, "What has made the people in the story invisible?", "How did their lives change, and how did they become visible"?
• Exclusion and bullying: with the children, review situations in which they, or one of their friends, were bullied. How did they feel? How did they act? We must suggest together other ways of dealing with the mentioned situation.
• Deprivation: many characters felt they are deprived of many things, such as friendships, money, and the ability to walk. We must talk to our children about the things that we have, but others don't, and about things that we don't have but others do.

Connect

• Volunteer: think of a person you know who needs help, or an institution in which we can volunteer. Make volunteering a family ritual.
• Isabel relied on her parents' experience, expertise, and close relations to regain her energy and abilities to change people around her. Prepare a box of cards and write family activities you can do together to make you feel happy and close. Choose a different card each time.

Act

• Review with the children a situation in which they have been excluded. Role-play and re-enact the situation and the dialogue.

Have a fun activity!