About the Author

BIOGRAPHY:

Learning how to take a "selfie" portrait!

Learning how to take a “selfie” portrait!

BIOGRAPHY:

Jewel Kats (1978 – 2016) is best known as an award-winning children’s author of twelve books, eight of which are about disabilities. She is the writer and creator of the “Fairy Ability Tales” series. She penned fairytales, both classical and/or original, with their child protagonists having a disability or chronic illness. Talk about fun and unique!

Many of Jewel’s readers also know her as the real-life inspiration behind “Archie Comics” character, Harper Lodge. Harper is the cousin of Jewel’s idol, Veronica Lodge, and the first ever character to have a disability.

Jewel Kats celebrated her disability and remained comfortable and proud in her unique skin. She was called a Toronto dignitary and asked to help carry the PASO flag at the Pan American Olympic Games.  She wheeled across the stadium on July 2015, during the opening ceremonies, alongside other dignitaries like Rick Hansen and Michael “Pinball” Clemons.  She won the 2015 Anokhi award, given to Canadian South Asian prolific talent, for “Crusader of the Year for People with Disabilities”. On December 30, 2014, she was named a “hero” by The Toronto Star on their year-round list of eight individuals. She appeared on all sorts of media channels including: CBC’s “The National”, CBC’s local Toronto news, “Global National”, CBC’s “Metro Morning”, CTV’s national news, City TV, Buffalo’s WKBW-TV evening news, “The Buffalo News”, AMI “This Week” and “Accessibility in Action”, on seventeen CBC radio stations coast-to-coast, etc. She also had the honor of being a front page cover story for The Toronto Star, and as their front page cover story in their “Life” section for her children’s books. The Museum of disABILITY History in the U.S.A. celebrated her work with a two-day event in 2013.

Jewel Kats won all sorts of awards for her books as well, including: two Mom’s Choice silver medals, a gold medal from Gelett Burgess Children’s Book Awards, a bronze medal from IPPY awards, etc. She earned two scholarships while in school. She took home a $15,000 journalism scholarship from Global TV, and went on to intern in their “Entertainment Tonight Canada” studio. She also earned a $5,000 U.S. scholarship from popular women’s book publisher Harlequin Enterprises. In the past, Jewel worked as an internationally syndicated youth advice columnist for “Scripps Howard News Service” in the States, and also “The Halifax Chronicle Herald”. Additionally, she’s had a background in live performances by working in numerous theatrical shows.

Jewel Kats lived every day with her motto: “Reach for the stars—even if you have to grab onto them differently”.

Love, Jewel xoxo

PUBLISHED BOOKS:

    1. “Cinderella’s Magical Wheelchair: An Empowering Fairy Tale”

      • (Fairy Ability Tales Book #1)
      • Silver medalist/Mom’s Choice Awards 2013
      • One-page book excerpt in the ‘Quincy Jones’ issue of ‘Ability Magazine’
      • Book signing at Museum of disABILITY History in Buffalo, New York
      • Featured in the evening news of WKBW-TV
      • “The Huffington Post” lists it as a valuable teaching resource
      • First “Cinderella” adaptation in history with a wheelchair-mobile Princess

 

    1. “The Princess and the Ruby: An Autism Fairy Tale”

      • (Fairy Ability Tales Book #2)
      • Silver medalist/Mom’s Choice Awards 2013
      • Re-telling of the Hans Christen Andersen’s classic ‘The Princess and the Pea’ except with an Autism twist
      • First and only fairy tale featuring a non-verbal child princess with Autism

 

    1. “Snow White’s Seven Patches: A Vitiligo Fairy Tale”

      • (Fairy Ability Tales Book #3)
      • FIRST fairy tale in HISTORY featuring a Princess with the skin condition of vitiligo.

 

    1. “What Do You Use to Help Your Body?: Maggie Explores the World of Disabilities”

      • Won gold medal from the prestigious Gelett Burgess Awards in the category of illness, bereavement and disability.
      • Full two-page book excerpt in Ability Magazine (USA)
      • Full-fledged multicultural cast of characters that illustrate disabilities unite the human experience.

 

    1. “DitzAbled Princess: A Comical Diary Inspired by Real Life”

      • Won bronze medal in the (IPPY) Independent Publisher Book Awards for the category Graphic Novel / Drawn Book – Humor / Cartoon
      • First reality-series comic strip about a woman with a physical disability
      • Book signing at the Museum of disABILITY History in Buffalo, New York
      • Magazine cover story of “Disability Today Network” and Australia’s largest cross-disability magazine “Link Disability Magazine”
      • Featured on WKBW-TV evening news

 

    1. “Reena’s Bollywood Dream: A Story About Sexual Abuse”

      • First and only children’s picture book about a young Indo-American girl who survives sexual abuse

 

    1. “Teddy Bear Princess: A Story About Sharing and Caring”

      • “Teddy Bear Princess” and “Cinderella’s Magical Wheelchair” featured in the cover story on “Conversations’ Model Citizens” magazine.

 

  1. “Word Search Divas”

    • Puzzle book with diva themes and pictures of fashion models

NEWLY RELEASED BOOKS:

  • “The Princess Panda Tea Party: A Cerebral Palsy Fairy Tale” (Spring 2014/ children’s picture book)
  • “Miss Popular Steals the Show: Girls in Wheelchairs Rule!” (Spring 2014/children’s chapter book)
  • “Hansel and Gretel: A Fairy Tale with a Down Syndrome Twist” (Winter 2014/children’s picture book)

AUTHOR WEBSITE: www.jewelkats.com
AUTHOR’S EMAIL: jewelkats78@gmail.com

11 Comments

  1. I have SLE and have recently needed to use not just one crutch but two and managed to find three pairs in Jeweled Blue, Green and Red but I can’t find Pink! Where did you find pink? I even googled and couldn’t find them.

  2. Oh my … this morning I got up and checked facebook and lo and behold … a good friend of mine sent me a link to your page. You are doing some awesome work!!! I think we need to connect, I’d love to buy you a tea (or a wine) and chat with you for a little bit.

    Let me know if this is possible or of interest to you – 289-683-4650 🙂

    Have an awesome day,

    Kate

  3. Where can I purchase these books, I want to get them all. I had problems growing up (I’m 42), and sometimes I still get teased and tormented by former classmates.
    Thanks a million!

    • Thanks for your kind words, Pauline, all of the Jewel Kats books can be purchased online at http://www.Amazon.com around the world and in Canada at online Chapters/Indigo and Kobo eBook reader. Ask your bookstore clerk to special order it for you and you won’t have to pay shipping

  4. Thank you for the quick response to my email. The reason that I asked where I could get my hands on the books is because I don’t own any credit cards. Out of all my friends I’m the only one knee deep in debt. Those special ed classes offered only to the “special needs” (I always hated being called that!) students have come I’m handy now that I’m on my own. My Doctors and Social Workers didn’t think I could make it on my own, but I have for the past year. So anyone out there with intellectual disabilities who tell you that you’ll never live on your own, just look them right in the eyes and calmly say “BITE ME”! Childish yes, but it gets your point across.
    So ta-ta for now, I’m off to the Chapters store by Square One to place an order for the books.
    Ciao-Ciao for now,
    Pauline 🙂

    • Thanks for sharing your personal story, Pauline! I hope you have a good experience at the Chapters store. My experience is with American bookstore chains but they should be able to place an order and telephone you when it arrives in-store, at least I hope it works that way in Canada.
      Regards
      Victor

  5. That should day that I’m the only one NOT knee deep in debt. Oops!

  6. Good Afternoon Jewel
    I am a high school counsellor who applauds your journey and the great things you have done for others. I would love for you to share your journey with students at our high school. I tried the email address provided for you on line but it keeps bouncing back to me. Could you please provide an avenue for us to discuss this further. Keep doing the great things you are!!

  7. WOW, Your an inspiration!! Keep up the good work. I have a child with special needs and she inspired me start my own foundation to help childrens and their families receive the resources and finacial support towards their childs therapy, or order for the child to reach their full potential. (Montreal Special Needs Foundation/MSNF.CA.
    I would love to speak with you. Can you please contact me at: 514.318.3255 – Maddie .

    Looking forward to hearing from you.

  8. My daughter has mild cerebral palsy and is just starting her career as a French Immersion Teacher. Do you sell “The Princess Panda Tea Party: A Cerebral Palsy Fairy Tale (Fairy Ability Tales Book 4)” in French? – Patty

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