Scoot Over and Make Some Room

Creating a Space Where Everyone Belongs

By: Heather Avis, Shauna Niequist

Narrated by: Heather Avis, Lauren Berst - foreword

Length: 5 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

Hilarious and heartwarming stories that will empower you to make space for the other and discover the extraordinary, welcoming heart of God.

Author and Instagram star Heather Avis has made it her mission to introduce the world to the unique gifts and real-life challenges of those who have been pushed to the edges of society. Mama to three adopted kids - two with Down Syndrome - Heather encourages us all to take a breath, whisper a prayer, laugh a little, and make room for the wildflowers.

In a world of divisions and margins, those who act, look, and grow a little differently are all too often shoved aside. Scoot Over and Make Some Room is part inspiring narrative and part encouraging challenge for us all to listen and learn from those we're prone to ignore.

Heather tells hilarious stories of her growing kids, spontaneous dance parties, forgotten pants, and navigating the challenges and joys of parenthood. She shares heartbreaking moments when her kids were denied a place at the table and when she had to fight for their voices to be heard. With beautiful wisdom and profound convictions, this manifesto will empower you to notice who's missing in the spaces you live in, to make room for your own kids and for those others who need you and your open heart.

This is your invitation to a table where space is unlimited and every voice can be heard. Because when you open your life to the wild beauty of every unique individual, you'll discover your own colorful soul and the extraordinary, abundant heart of God.

©2019 Heather Avis (P)2019 Zondervan

A wonderfully convicting challenge.

This is a timely reminder for parents of kids with disabilities, for moms, for teachers, for adults, for children, and really for every human being who wants to get outside his or her own bubble of life experience. I found myself nodding and amen-ing through smiles and tears as this brave mama shares her heart for those often ignored or cast aside.

I love it!!

Heather is so honest and relatable. This book really encouraged me to think about how my words and actions affect others. It has empowered me to to want to use my gifts to make our world a better place. I recommend this book to anyone who likes memoirs. And everyone that interacts with people....so I guess I recommend it to everyone.

She’s done it again!!

Thanx Heather for writing another book that is raw and enriching! This book has challenged me to look within. And whoa! I’m a piece of work!! But aren’t we all!!! I also feel encouraged to share my story! Thank you!!!

Honest real and beautiful

As a mama to a child with Down syndrome, I have been struggling a lot with how to assert myself and advocate for him in a productive way. It can be hard to find that middle ground between doing nothing and going almost overboard, and the latter really never does anything but make people defensive and stubborn. I was so excited to listen to this book, having followed Heather and her family for a little while now on Instagram. I am so happy there is a book out in the world now that not only helps parents learn how to ‘shout the worth’ of their children, but also can teach others who don’t have children with different abilities to see their worth.
Thanks so much for this amazing book Heather! I have thoroughly enjoyed listening to it in the car and my older kids have caught on too. I showed them pictures from Instagram and they thought it was so cool that they could see pictures of the kids they were learning about!

A message everyone should hear

My heart is so full after reading this! If you want to learn how to be more accepting of people who are different than you this is a great place to start. I truly believe everyone should read this book, as it is crucial for lessons in empathy, grace, and acceptance. A must read!