Child Education Books

Every college program devoted to sending qualified teachers out into the world should make "A Land We Can Share" a required reading. Kami Turner, Administrator of Special Programs

One of the few books on its topic, "A Land We Can Share" provides a meaningful plan for teaching and assessing reading and writing skills for students with Autism. It is an excellent resource, sharing relevant information through personal stories, strategy descriptions, visuals, and graphic organizers. Individuals with a thorough knowledge of Autism with limited time (which is almost every teacher!) could probably skip the first chapter, "What is Autism?". This is particularly true if you have read other books by Paula Kluth, as the information about Autism in similar. However, if you have the time, the entire book is worth reading, and is an excellent source of information and resources.

Overall, "A Land We Can Share" is a much needed and essential guide for any teacher of students on the spectrum. Meaningful literacy experiences are possible for all students!

Nicole Caldwell, M.Ed., Editor of the Autism newsletter, Positively Autism

A wonderful resourse for all that work with children. As a teacher I plan to share this resource with all. Especially with my paraprofessionals so they can explore and apply the strategies to the daily routine. Great resource for all in education or child care.

This book is chock-full of helpful tips on differentiated instruction that will work with not just students with autism, but ALL students. Paula has written yet another masterpiece for all those who work with autism.

I highly recommend anything that Dr. Kluth has written. You will not be disappointed by her common sense thinking and practical tips for teaching.

A Land we can Share is directed primarily at educators and para professionals working with children with ASD to welcome then into the world of literacy.

My perspective is somewhat different. I am a parent of a 7 year old girl with ASD. We are currently in the throes of teaching our daughter to read (in collaboration with her teachers and therapists at school, of course). Whereas with my older children, the process of teaching them to read happened almost intuitively and naturally (on our part as parents), for our youngest the process has involved more effort. We have had to try more things, read more literature, consider different approaches, test more software programs and reader packages.

And much as parents really just want a simple solution, the instructional rigour of Paula's book is at once insightful, engaging and inspiring. It resonated with us, in that it delved in a practical and useful way into different literacy approaches, and provided examples and suggestions that we find useful, and that can be passed on to classroom teachers and reading assistants. But even more significant than its practical applications were the themes of approach and attitude that permeate the pages. Those messages are the catch cries of so many parents with children on the spectrum. We tell teachers, administrators, friends, onlookers - try different things; children are all different; just because something works for most kids doesn't mean there won't be a different approach that will help the rest of the kids, put aside judgment; practice real inclusion.

I would highly recommend this book (as well as Paula's other books) for parents. Read it. Practice it with your children. Pass it on to teachers and school administrators.

I don't think I've ever seen a children's book where the illustrations and the text seem to belong together like coffee and cream. They seem to merge, to be one.

Not that this is solely a children's book. It is not. Since it is a true story, albeit illustrated, it is for all ages, for anyone who loves wildlife and has a heart that is still open to natural life.

As other reviewers have noted, a very special duck is born with a disability. She cannot walk. Now a remedy does not come out of the blue like a lightbulb in comic book fare. It is reached slowly, step by step, until at last a solution is palpable and effective. And I as a reader just felt like standing up and shouting "Hurrah!"

This book got a few tears out of me too. In short, it's a real treat! Thanks to the author and illustrator for creating it.

Note: What are "oviparous" animals? I confess I had to look it up in the dictionary!

Great book for all of us to show respect and caring to those that are impaired/different from the rest of us

Beautiful book that helps explain to children that animals/people with disabilities are not that different.

This is a wonderful story about a teacher who hatches out a duckling with very special needs. Lemon can't walk and cannot go with the other ducklings to a pre-arranged home. The children in Lemon's classroom learn that animals with special needs are just as worthy of our love and attention. This is a wonderful picture book based on a true story.
--Majestic Waterfowl Sanctuary

My class loves to hear Lemon the Duck read to them. They make lots of connections to the story and learn that all creatures deserve to be cared for no matter what their limitations. Lemon the Duck teaches us many lessons, but the lessons of respect and commitment really make the biggest impact. Ms. Backman is an inspiration to us all because of her commitment to Lemon, her dedication to children, her family and any animal in need. We are huge fans of Lemon and Ms. Backman!

This works as a great alternative to the Seuss book that has forever been a favorite HS grad gift. This one bears meaning for grads who had to overcome obstacles. I first read it in an airport and fell in love with the book.

While this is a children's book, Lithgow wrote this for a college graduation speech. He appeals to all age groups, you see. And the book has the usual CD included in the book - but I have not tried to separate it from the book to see if it works (neither of them worked in the two poetry collection books I ordered) as this book is purchased as a gift for a grandchild. Enjoy this selection and watch your gift recipients do the same!

Loved the book, the book was in Great condition and it is a great read for any age! Love the fact that it has a cd for the author to read aloud.

Seller will get my business again!

sincerely,

Betty Coplin

This book was received as a gift upon completing my first semester at college. I absolutely adore the charming story and brilliant illustrations. It is suitable for any age, yet as a returning adult I appreciate the way Mahalia thrives, despite being a bit different from the other students. The CD that comes with the book is a fantastic bonus, since John Lithgow is one of my favorite actors. An all around wonderful picture book!

Mahalia Mouse Goes to College is a well-written children's book with a message for all ages. The book makes a powerful statement about how everyone can succeed in life. A person has only to seize the opportunities that present themselves and work hard. The message is especially helpful for young people who doubt their ability to succeed in college.

Must read if you want to feel empowered about helping your child get all the resources he/she needs in the school and in the community.

This book will walk you through the process of getting your child evaluated and the steps needed to insure your child gets the best schooling that is available. It will cover your rights as a parent and how to work together with the school system. Prior to getting this book, I had already taken the necessary steps and was armed with lots of knowledge on the subject but I still learned a lot from reading it. If you're new to ADHD or not sure of what your entitlements are, this book is a must have. Worth every penny.

I saw this book on the shelf at Barnes and Noble, but passed it up with its long title. My bookclub friend who also has a boy with ADD told me it was "the best", so I went back and got it. I have now read it cover-to-cover, made lots of marks in the margins, flagging the sections that are right on the mark for me.

The book is like a how-to guide, giving problem-solving tips in each of the areas that I've been challenged by: getting the school system to work with me, and to give my 9-year old son additional resources (the letters on how to request additional help from the school were fantastic!), making a book to help me organize all of the records; helping him find friends, and even working with my boss, who had given me a hard time for missing work for Martin's medical appointments.

The tips and examples from other parents from other parents like me were VERY good, and for the first time in the last 3 years since his diagnosis, I am hopeful that we're going to make it, seeing how other parents have done it.

Thank YOU, Dr. Jensen!!

Moms and dads, buy, beg, borrow, or steal this book. I've read about 12 books now, but this was the one I needed from three years ago. Lehcy

Of all the ADHD books I have read, about 8 at this point, I have learned the most from this one. It is practical, and has lots of tips. I now have a binder that I use that I take with me to all of my child's meetings, and to my visits with the Sammi's doctor. My book is almost completely marked up, and in the margins of about every 2nd or 3rd page, there is an underline, or a "do this."

IF YOU WANT THE BEST FOR YOUR CHILD WITH ADHD, AND WANT TO TAKE CHARGE OF HIS FUTURE, THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU. TOMAS

I have read numerous books and articles on ADHD to become as informed as possible on my son's ADHD. Most make me feel better by realizing I am not alone in my struggle to parent a child with this disorder. This book went beyond making me feel better and gave me practical guidance to get organized and be proactive when dealing with teachers and my son's school. I now have an accordian file with a handle that I take to all my meetings related to my son. I refer to this book frequently as needed. It has been a resource to me over and over. I HIGHLY recommend this book to all parents with an ADHD child.

This book is great! Jack is so creative and gifted with words. I bought this book for my 4 year old daughter, and she loved every bit of it, except for the Mangorilla and Orangatangerine. She made me skip that part, because she said the picture gave her the creeps!
This book takes you on a bizarre journey through an amazingly creative place with a clever play on words, and wonderful poetic content. My daughter spent hours looking at this book and had fun figuring out the animal combinations that created each character. I was particularly grateful for the pronunciation guide for the animals!

I was intrigued and amused to see another reviewer say her children were obsessed with "Scranimals" -- because that's the same reaction we got with our kid!

Jack Prelutsky evidently knows the secret of how to captivate children, especially when teamed up with illustrators like Peter Sis. Nearly every Prelutsky book that enters our home gets the same treatment: fascination, amusement, and above all, lots of reading and re-reading.

One might say that this is not Prelutsky's most ingenious work, since it's basically a single concept stretched out into a series of variations, not all of which are equally clever. But there's more to it than that. The illustrations are compelling and fun. And much of the poetry is more highly-crafted than one might expect, given the silly first impression the book makes.

A great example is the description of the "Bananaconda" (that word alone always makes ME laugh!) in which the author slathers syballant syllables in silly sequences. I took the opportunity to point out to our first-grader how a poet describes things differently than other kinds of writers.

I then read it aloud to demonstrate that point, sssimply by exsstending each of the esses on the page. At that point, most kids can make the connection between the sound of the words, and their understanding of "S" as the sound made by a snake -- something many of them learn in preschool, if not earlier.

And of course those words were written ABOUT a snake. For a kid to learn that words can have multiple layers of meaning, and to learn that concept at such an early age... well, that's really something. And Prelutsky is one of the best at delivering that kind of depth, even when combined with utter silliness.

In short, Scranimals is definitely a worthy addition to any child's collection, at nearly any age.

During the story a boy and a girl went on a trip the Scranimal Island. They saw a lot of animals such as the RHINOCEROSE, a group SPINACHICKENS, a caravan of CAMELBERTA PEACHES, a lonely POTATOAD, one CARDINALBACORE, couple of HIPPOPOTAMUSHROOMS, talkative PARROTTERS, a sweet PORCUPINEAPPLE, fierce BROCCOLIONS, a nimble ANTELOPETUNIA, an unsuccessful STORMY PETRELEPHANT, content TOUCANEMONES, then the vicious RADISHARK, a yellow BANANACONDA, the fast OSTRICHEETAH, a shy PANADAFFODIL, and the playful MANGORILLA and his friend the ORANGUTANGERINE. The extinct AVOCADODO wasn't smart, strong, or fast, it is no wonder you are extinct.
This book is my favorite picture book because all the animals were mixed up. The craziest animal was the PORCUPINEAPPLE because it was cute and the poem was funny.

My daughter says: "This book is lovely and funny" ... "it makes me smile because it is fun. I love reading this book with my mum."

During the story a boy and a girl went on a trip the Scranimal Island. They saw a lot of animals such as the RHINOCEROSE, a group SPINACHICKENS, a caravan of CAMELBERTA PEACHES, a lonely POTATOAD, one CARDINALBACORE, couple of HIPPOPOTAMUSHROOMS, talkative PARROTTERS, a sweet PORCUPINEAPPLE, fierce BROCCOLIONS, a nimble ANTELOPETUNIA, an unsuccessful STORMY PETRELEPHANT, content TOUCANEMONES, then the vicious RADISHARK, a yellow BANANACONDA, the fast OSTRICHEETAH, a shy PANADAFFODIL, and the playful MANGORILLA and his friend the ORANGUTANGERINE. The extinct AVOCADODO wasn't smart, strong, or fast, it is no wonder you are extinct.
This book is my favorite picture book because all the animals were mixed up. The craziest animal was the PORCUPINEAPPLE because it was cute and the poem was funny.

I became aquainted with this book when one of my professors in graduate school used it in class (as having examples of beautiful word choice/ descriptive wording). I do not know how it did not win a Caldacott or other award except it is a largely unknown book. Outstanding pictures and story. Would be wonderful addition to any classroom. Good book to show to/ discuss with older children, especially junior high or high school age students studying the 1960's. The story is about a single teacher's ability to teach love and acceptance during a time when their parents were demonstrating hatred (about this new black teacher)at home.

Sister Anne's Hands are different; that is one of the first things Anna Zabrocky notices about Sr. Anne. Set in the 1960's, in the days of hatred toward anything that made a person different, this book explores Civil Rights, learning, and love from the perspective of a black-skinned nun and a white-skinned child. Through the course of the book, we see through word and picture the image of how Sr. Anne's hands tell a story. They go from being the object of Anna's curiosity about all the colors in them, to being the expression of a child's love for her teacher in a card Anna makes for Sr. Anne. Anna learned the greatest lesson: to look beyond the fear of our differences to learn of the love we share in our similarities. This is a very intimate look, through the lens of diversity, at the love that grows between a teacher and a child.

This book is particularly useful to me in my work as a Catholic religious educator because it demonstrates through historical fiction, an approach to respecting life in all of its forms, and celebrating that which makes us unique! This book is special to me - I was attracted by the name. I have two aunts who are nuns, one of whom is named Sr. Ann. My aunts shared their vocations as nuns and their professions as teachers. I remember seeing pictures of Sr. Ann and Sr. Alice Marie in their full habits. I recall thinking about how strange they looked in their pictures because by the time I was born, nuns no longer wore a habit every day! The best memories of my aunts involve the feeling of being loved and whole in my aunts' presence, and that sense of love and being whole is very prominent in this book. Perhaps one of this book's greatest strengths is the author's ability to weave together many challenges to a person's dignity (exclusion by color, creed, and vocation) into a theme where differences and diversity are celebrated! The theme of this book aligns very closely with the tenor of the current presidential race in the US. In that, it is a timeless treasure and does not seem to have any apparent weakness.

Having lived as a child in the '60s, I found Sister Anne's Hands to be a authentic mirror of this era's racial biases and a gentle reminder that education is our best hope for an end to "isms."

Marybeth Lorbiecki takes a situation of racism and turns it around. She shares with the reader how a negative can become a positive between two individuals, even if the community at large stays negative. And with that, human lives are changed forever.

First, this is an outstanding book. It has substance and a wonderful message that makes its point without being preachy. Second, it is still a children's book that kids will enjoy reading or having read to them. Finally, the artwork is first rate and a joy to look at. It is the complete package. With so much mediocre childish children's 'literature', this is the real deal: a quality, substantive, enjoyable book. Enjoyable to read for parent and child.

Great way to count down the days until Christmas. The cardboard books are small yet sturdy. It only takes a few minutes before bed each night, so it is easy to keep up the routine. I hope it becomes a yearly tradition. Most appropriate for ages 3-12.

Our children have enjoyed this set of books every Advent season! It has been our tradition to read a week's worth of books each Sunday evening in Advent after lighting their individual Advent wreaths. It is a wonderful reinforcement of the true "reason for the season". I was thrilled to be able to find and purchase them each a set of their own to carry on the tradition as they head out to set up their own homes.

This calendar is beautiful - would be such a great heirloom to hand down and use for generations. I was sad to see that Amazon didn't have them new any more - I wanted to purchase several for gifts. I was able to find them as christianbook.com for about $10. Get these back in amazon, please!

Yes, I would also like to find copies of this book. I actually ordered from Amazon a few weeks ago and then a week later was sent a message saying they no longer had any in stock. Imagine my surprise when the only one available on their site was listed for $1200+ !!!
This book has always been part of my children's Christmas. It is a very special part of our Christmas tradition. I was looking to give each of my sons one of their own to continue the tradition in their own homes when the time comes.
Does ANYONE know where to find this book?? I know some little old book store somewhere in the world has two copies sitting on the shelf ...

My family has used these beautiful advent storybook ornaments since it first came out in 1994. I was sad last year to see that it was out of print, because I wanted another copy. Soooo thrilled that it is once again in print! Received mine from amazon today. Exactly the same as it was 14 years ago. Love it!

We have been using this book as a resource while working with my 1 1/2 year old grandson who was shaken at the age of 7 weeks. While not everything in it applies because he does not have Cerebral Palsy, it has provided a wealth of very practical hands-on information in laymen's terms that we had trouble finding elsewhere.

Great book! Very helpful for parents of children with CP. Book was received quickly and was in very good condition.

This book is a great review of cerebral palsy and provides a lot of useful information for both the parent and therapist. Thank you for taking the time to create such a useful guide!

I am a pediatric physical therapist and plan to read this gem from cover to cover.

My son has an undiagnosed developmental delay - similar to cerebral palsy. He is 20 months old and I am so glad that I found this book while he was young (although I wish I had been stretching him since infanthood). We have excellent therapists, but this book is a great reminder of how important home therapy is - and it serves as a reminder to me of the exercises the therapists do. Easy to read and the pictures are a good guide.

This book is filled with helpful, easy to understand info for parents of kids with CP. My daughter is 3 and I wish I had it when she was an infant. I haven't finished reading it, but have learned alot. Her physical therapist even uses one of the walking suggestions (using a hula hoop) and says it's a great idea.

This is an easy to read and understand book. It has many great tips for me to use at home with my child and in the classroom. I love it! I have already recommended this book to a friend/fellow teacher who has a child with this condition also.

Chris Zeigler Dendy understands ADHD/ADD to a significant degree and she does an exemplary job in providing a useful and valuable resource. Every teacher must have this one, too (along with her other books).

This book is a must for parents of ADHD children and the teachers who teach them. As a parent and a teacher, this book is a valuable resource.
Chris Dendy is a great person as well.

As a guidance counselor, I am always interested in obtaining good resources to use and share with others. I have recommended this book to parents and teachers. It has a wealth of information about ADHD teens.

I am an educator who works one-on-one kids with ADD and I recommend Chris' books to all my clients - I really am a really a big fan! She has even inspired me to start writing my own book on how achieve Academic Success with an ADD child.
I read all the recommended books on ADD and I have yet to find anything as comprehensive, useful and well-written as Chris Dendy's books. Once you start, you can't put this book down!

PS- you will want to read this book cover to cover - don't let the title fool you! ("reference guide")

The Toothpaste Millionaire was written in 1972 and for some reason I missed this one growing up. The story covers some wonderful concepts on entrepreneurship, auction buying, media/commercials, stocks, getting loans from the bank, and more. It also gently talks about racism and sexism as well.

Rufus (a 12 yr old black boy) and Kate (a 12 yr old white girl) who went to the same school in Cleveland, Ohio. Rufus comes up with an idea to make toothpaste for[..] and sell it for[...], with a [...] profit. After Rufus and Kate figure out all the math involved in the size of toothpaste, how many people live in the United States (because he is going to sell to them all) and a trip to the auction house, they get to the bank to secure a loan for their business. My Favorite quote:

"The trouble with adults is they never believe kids can do things even when they have good ideas."

For an 89 page book, there is a lot of good information packed into this one. You won't put it down... and neither will your kids. A very inspiration story

Dawn C.
http://www.frugalforlife.com

We really enjoyed this book. We read it out loud and I was repeatedly reminded that we needed to "read the book tonight!" I especially liked that Rufus sews saddlebags. I enjoy any opportunity to show that tasks can be completed by either males or females. The issue of ethnicity was also nicely addressed, something I wasn't expecting, and a pleasant surprise.

However, my original interest in the book was to read something enjoyable that taught a little bit of finances. The book did this very well for the first half or maybe even three quarters of the story. After that, there was definitely a turning point where I felt the information was rushed and I could tell even my 9 year old noticed because of the types of questions he was asking.

So, my recommendation is parents be prepared to discuss price competition, stock certificates and income tax requirements. One should plan on reading a little slower towards the end of the story. Despite the speedy pace of the end chapters, this is still one of the best stories I've read to spur a child's interest in entrepreneurship.

As others have covered the plot synopsis, I will not repeat it.

I am 40 years old, and read this book as a child. I had completely forgotten about it, but all of a sudden the fond recollection of it popped into my head recently. As my own chldren are now 11, 9 and 7 years old I thought it would be worth checking out again.

All of my children loved it. My 11 year old read it on his own in about two days, and then my 9 year old and I took turns reading it aloud.

While all the reviewers have mentioned the positive message about race relations, another positive message to me was the idea that even children can really accomplish something besides just sitting in school all day. Most of the adventure books we read involve wizards or fairies or talking animals, and while these are tons of fun they never give kids the sense that these stories relate directly to the lives they are leading.

While the idea of kids opening up a factory and driving big companies out of business is of course a bit unrealistic, the fact is that kids really can go into "business" in smaller ways. My daughter (the 7 year old) is already organizing a yard sale of her baby stuff for when the weather warms up.

I highly recommend this book.

I picked up the book, The Toothpaste Millionaire, and couldn't put it down. This book is pure genius. It's fast moving. But beware, it ends in suspense. I wish there was a sequel!

I did not find the book as fascinating as all the foregoing reviewers (and I have read hundreds of juvenile books of this reading level), but I can imagine grade 3-6 students rating it more highly--and that is what counts. It can even be a read-aloud for the teacher of grades 3 or 4. I would place it in my classroom library, but it is not a book I could enthusiastically introduce.

The suspense was mild, the climax almost predictable. Nevertheless, the author has an attractive, casual style; the vocabulary is simple; and the story flows easily. But it does have that Bank Street Reader feel, which is what it used to be--like some basal/reading text for grades 3-5.

One attractive aspect of the book is that it does not ignore race or ethnicity, and integrates them in a positive, refreshing manner.

The "Reader's Guide" (test questions) at the end of the book turned me off; it made me feel uncomfortable--I hope teachers won't use it. I think a children's book should be enjoyed for sheer pleasure.