Supreme Court justice in KC to help adapt children’s book into musical for local theater

When she’s not writing opinions on weighty matters brought before the Supreme Court of the United States of America, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor is writing children’s books.

Sotomayor made a special trip to Kansas City on Friday where she read her book “Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You” to a group of about 30 school children during a stop at the Central Library before she met with staff from the Coterie Theatre to offer her help in adapting the book into a musical play.

The book celebrates kids of all ages with diverse abilities who bond as they create a garden together. The production called “Just Ask!” will premiere at the Coterie where it will run from Jan. 29 to Feb. 23, 2025. The musical adaptation is co-produced by the Coterie Theatre along with What if Puppets. Sotomayor, who was nominated by former President Barack Obama, is the first Latina and the third woman to serve on the Supreme Court. She has written several children’s books.

Here are photos of Justice Sotomayor’s visit to Kansas City.