childrensbooks

Children's Books on Disability, Acceptance and Understanding

Picture Books

Ian's Walk
by Laurie Lears and Karen Ritz (1998)
Gr. 2-3, younger for reading aloud. As Tara and Julie take Ian along on their walk to the park, Julie describes how Ian acts differently from most people, showing no interest, for example, in the food or customers in Nan's diner and paying attention only to the rotating ceiling fan. Admirably patient with Ian, Julie nevertheless grows angry with his seemingly stubborn ways. Yet her close observations of her brother serve her well when Ian wanders away. By thinking of what Ian likes to do, Julie finds her brother and ushers him home again. Through its simple plot, the story conveys a complex family relationship and demonstrates the ambivalent emotions Julie feels about her autistic brother. This natural mix of resentment, anger, isolation, loyalty, and love is explained in preliminary notes written by professional pediatric caregivers. Sensitizing readers to these dynamics as well as to autism, this book offers a valuable, warmly told lesson.

Russell Is Extra Special: A Book About Autism for Children
by Charles A., III Amenta
Gr 1-3--A view of childhood autism from a young person's point of view. Sarah, a new girl at school, sees Andy by himself on the playground and is curious about his preoccupation with spinning a yellow frisbee. His sister Rosie watches Andy protectively from her soccer game and is fearful that the new girl will disturb his fragile composure. As Rosie thinks of Andy's problem, she explains autism to readers. Soft, watercolor illustrations reinforce the tenderness that Rosie feels toward her brother. There is none of the cruelty or lack of acceptance sometimes encountered by children with disabilities just because they are "different." At the end of the book, Thompson offers factual information about autism, its different degrees and characteristics. Andy is a book that will help youngsters see how those with special needs may be different but deserve tolerance and kindness just like all children do.

We'll Paint the Octopus Red
by Stephanie Stueve-Bodeen and Pam DeVito (1998)
Ages 4-7. What starts as a regular new-baby story takes an unexpected twist. The young redheaded narrator is at first displeased with the idea of a new sibling but then has lots of ideas about what they might do together. She will take the baby to her grandfather's farm and feed the calves. Her father says they can do that when the baby is older. She will teach the baby to paint. Her father says they can do that when the baby is older. She will take the baby to Africa on a photo safari. Her father says fine, but only if he can go, too. After the girl and her father are finished talking, she says, "We'd thought of at least a million things my new brother or sister could do with me." Then, Father comes home with the news that baby Isaac has been born with Down syndrome. Her father is upset, but as the girl asks her questions all over again, they both see that although it may take a little longer and require more patience, they can't find one of those million things that Isaac won't be able to do with their help. The fine text gets right to a child's level of understanding, and the positive messages of acceptance and helping may best be understood by children this age.

What's Wrong with Timmy
By Maria Shriver (2001)
When 8-year-old Kate meets a boy who seems somehow different, she feels funny inside. After talking with her mom, though, Kate begins to understand that Timmy is just like her in many ways. Timmy has special needs; he takes longer to learn than Kate, and can't walk or run as well. But he also "loves his family, he wants friends, he goes to school, and he dreams about what he wants to be when he grows up." Kate and Timmy meet, and the seeds of a friendship are planted.

Trevor Trevor
by Diane Twachtman-Cullen (1997)
Trevor Trevor is a metaphor for children. A form of symbolic communication, the metaphor uses indirect teaching and implication to stimulate new ways of thinking. The main character, Trevor, is a child with impressive, though isolated skills. Unfortunately, it is not Trevor's strengths that his classmates notice, but rather his differences. Change comes through the efforts of a caring and sensitive teacher.

The Hangashore
by Geoff Butler (1998)
Trouble begins in a small Newfoundland fishing outport when a new magistrate arrives from England. A pompous and arrogant man, he expects deference without doing anything to earn it. The magistrate's attitude is contrasted sharply with that of John, a young man with Downs Syndrome, who measures people by their behaviour, not reputation. It takes a near tragedy at sea to show the magistrate who holds the better set of values.

Big Brother Dustin
by Alden R. Carter and Dan Young
Ages 4-7. Dustin, a young boy with Down syndrome, is excited when he learns that his mother is going to have a baby. Dustin makes it his job to find just the perfect name for his baby sister, but the choices he comes up with are not quite right. It is only when Dustin puts together the names of his grandmothers, Mary and Ann, that he has found the name that pleases everyone. The simple story line is bolstered by appealing, crisp color photographs. Dustin is shown attending a class for new siblings, helping prepare the baby's room, and visiting MaryAnn in the hospital. The last few pages are a scrapbook featuring photos of Dustin and the new baby. The accent is on Dustin as a boy who experiences many of the same emotions as other big-brothers-to-be.

Chapter Books

Views from Our Shoes: Growing Up With a Brother or Sister With Special Needs
by Donald J. Meyer
Gr. 4-6. Although the number of books about children with disabilities has grown steadily, not many nonfiction books explore the feelings of a child's brother or sister. These unpretentious, honest snippets, contributed by 45 children ranging in age from 4 ("My Mommy and Daddy told me that Nicole was born very early and her brain got hurt") to 18, seek to fill that gap. In talking about their sibs and their feelings, the writers admit to embarrassment ("I'm sure glad he doesn't go to my school . . . if they find out that he's my brother, they'd laugh"), anger, and jealousy. But at the same time, they show how protective and loving and surprisingly wise they are when it comes to getting along in a family that is different.

Emily in Love
by Susan Goldman-Rubin (1997)
Will they laugh at my clothes? Will I fall in love? Will I get lost? These questions rumble through the minds of most teens on the eve of their first day in high school. Emily worries about these things, too. Not only is tomorrow her first day in high school, however, it's also her first day ever in "regular" school, because Emily has a developmental disability. With insight, author Susan Goldman Rubin explores the inner workings of this special teenager's mind as she learns to fit in, make friends, and juggle new priorities. Although Emily is "special" in more ways than one, readers will identify with her struggles, cheering her on as she meets them with flair.

Tru Confessions
by Janet Tashilian (1997)
Gr. 5-7. In this fast and funny first-person novel, 12-year-old Tru tries to figure out how to achieve her goals to have her own TV show and to help her twin brother, Eddie, who has a developmental disability after not getting enough oxygen at birth. The goals come together when Tru decides to videotape a day in Eddie's life, she wins a local cable contest, and her tape gets an airing on TV.

The Wild Kid
by Harry Mazer (1998)
Gr. 4-6. Sammy, a 12-year-old with Down syndrome, doesn't intend to run away. But he ends up lost in a forest preserve, eventually falling over the hideout of Kevin, a reform-school escapee who has been living in the preserve for months or, perhaps, years. Not willing to have his cover blown, Kevin doesn't know what to do about Sammy. As the two share fragments of their life stories, Kevin shows Sammy the ropes, and both find their mutual distrust fading. Ignoring Kevin's scorn, Sammy decides that Kevin should come live with him and be his brother. The 13-day adventure is seen entirely from Sammy's point of view, and Mazer captures his world, his feelings, and his reactions with convincing surety. Readers will be equally drawn by Kevin's internal struggle between loneliness and fear of discovery, though he remains a less well defined character. In the end, Kevin makes an anonymous call to police, then fades back into the forest, leaving Sammy with a story that no one really believes, plus the poignant expectation that his "brother" will come soon. Kevin's sudden disappearance makes a stimulating loose end that may, paradoxically, strengthen readers' responses to this survival-story-with-a-difference.

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