Inspired by her 17-year-old son James who has cerebral palsy and been wheelchair-bound his entire life, Mrs Kavanagh said James' Trip To The Zoo was created after helping two siblings interact with James.

"I had a couple of twin girls come to visit and they'd never met James," she said. "I was taking one down to the bathroom and when we were walking past James she just froze.

"I said to her 'this is James, you don't have to be scared, come and look at all his fish' and she skipped past and was happy.

"I thought there must be a book out there to help children to be mindful and respectful of people with a disability."

After looking for insightful books about people living with a disability, Mrs Kavanagh decided to write her own and enlist the help of her sister-in-law and artist Kim Kavanagh to illustrate it.

The book is about James travelling to the zoo with his friends and has a few fun facts about a giraffe he meets.

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"It's really just to educate other kids, and adults, about wheelchairs," Mrs Kavanagh said.

"I would like people to see the world through my eyes.

"I hope it can teach people how to react to someone in a wheelchair. It's designed to help with respect, love and education."

Mrs Kavanagh donated several copies of the picture story book to kindergartens and schools around Warrnambool.

The family is donating all profits of the book to Very Special Kids, a charity close to the Kavanaghs' heart which provides family support services and the state's only children's hospice.

James' Trip To The Zoo is available to order for $15 by emailing graciekav@bigpond.com.au

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