Physical Disabilities

Winter's Tail: How One Little Dolphin Learned To Swim Again

Helen Keller: A photographic story of a life (DK Biography)

Tells the inspirational tale of this spirited crusader.

In this groundbreaking new series, DK brings together fresh voices and DK design values to give readers the most information-packed, visually exciting biographies on the market today. Full-color photographs of people, places, and artifacts, definitions of key words, and sidebars on related subjects add dimension and relevance to stories of famous lives that students will love to read.

Who Was Helen Keller? (Who Was...?)

At age two, Helen Keller became deaf and blind. She lived in a world of silence and darkness and she spent the rest of her life struggling to break through it. But with the help of teacher Annie Sullivan, Helen learned to read, write, and do many amazing things. This inspiring illustrated biography is perfect for young middle-grade readers. Black-and-white line drawings throughout, sidebars on related topics such as Louis Braille, a timeline, and a bibliography enhance readers' understanding of the subject.

Illustrated by John O'Brien.

This Is Asperger Syndrome

Through brief vignettes and whimsical black-and-white cartoon drawings, This Is Asperger Syndrome introduces siblings, peers and other children to the everyday challenges faced by children with Asperger Syndrome at home or at school. Written for children ages 6-12, the book may be read independently by older children and serves as an excellent springboard for further discussion led by parents and teachers. A special section, Notes on Asperger Syndrome, at the end of the book summarizes the major characteristics of Asperger Syndrome.

Don't Call Me Special: A First Look at Disability

This delightful picture book explores questions and concerns about physical disabilities in a simple and reassuring way. Younger children can find out about individual disabilities, special equipment that is available to help the disabled, and how people of all ages can deal with disabilities and live happy and full lives. Titles in this series for younger children explore emotional issues that boys and girls encounter as part of the growing-up process. Books are focused to appeal to kids of preschool through early school age. Written by psychotherapist and counselor Pat Thomas, A First Look At books promote positive interaction among children, parents, and teachers, and encourage kids to ask questions and confront social and emotional questions that sometimes present problems. Books feature appealing full-color illustrations on every page plus a page of advice to parents and teachers. (softcover)

Everybody Is Different: A Book for Young People Who Have Brothers or Sisters With Autism

Many young people have a hard time understanding the complexities of what autism Is and why people with autism engage in the behaviors that they do. This book gives answers to the many questions brothers and sisters of young people on the autism spectrum have about their siblings. In addition to explaining in basic terms the characteristics of autism, this little book is full of helpful suggestions for making family life more comfortable for everyone. The many illustrations make this a warm and accessible book for young people.

George Washington's Teeth

The creators of George Washington's Teeth unhinge the jaws of history to examine the mouth of America's first president, tracking the poor man's dental woes as he gallops to war, crosses the Delaware, and, with only two teeth left, takes his place as leader of the country. Washington was plagued by black, rotting teeth from the time he was 22, losing about one a year until he was nearly "toofless" and had to have his first dentures made from a hippotamus tusk (that's right, not wood!). Poets Deborah Chandra and Madeleine Comora begin their quirky historical tale at a lively clip: "The Revolutionary War/ George hoped would soon be won,/ But another battle with his teeth/ Had only just begun..." Indeed. Evidently he was losing teeth even as he crossed the Delaware: "George crossed the icy Delaware/ With nine teeth in his mouth./ In that cold and pitchy dark,/ Two more teeth came out!" (Cleverly, illustrator Brock Cole mimics Emanuel Leutze's famous painting "Washington Crossing the Delaware," making Washington seem more uncomfortably tight-lipped than dignified.) The story ends happily ever after with the crafting of a nice new pair of ivory false teeth that allow George to dance around the ballroom through the night. Truth be told, however, he would be deeply troubled by his teeth until the day he died. A four-page, illustrated historic timeline of Washington's life (and mouth) completes this carefully researched, very funny, charmingly illustrated picture book that works to humanize a larger-than-life historical figure and in turn, history itself. Brilliant! (Ages 7 and older) --Karin Snelson

The Sensory Team Handbook: A hands-on tool to help young people make sense of their senses and take charge of their sensory processing

The Sensory Team Handbook is the first book on sensory processing written for pre-teens and young teens. Upbeat, humorous, and hands-on, each chapter is stuffed with comics, cartoons, diagrams, quizzes, trivia, and question-answer sections. The Handbook compares the senses to a sports team that needs a coach and then shows the reader how to coach that team. The innovative sensory team approach turns therapy into something kids can do by and for themselves. Entirely jargon-free, and written in simple, everyday language, The Sensory Team Handbook inspires kids and teens to take charge of their own sensory issues.

Helen Keller: From Tragedy to Triumph (The Childhood of Famous Americans Series)

A biography, focusing on the childhood years, of the blind and deaf woman who overcame her handicaps with the help of her teacher, Annie Sullivan.

Rolling Along: The Story of Taylor and His Wheelchair

Taylor and Tyler are twin brothers and best friends. But the twins are different in one significant way: Taylor has cerebral palsy, while Tyler does not. Through Taylor's eyes we see how much effort he must expend to strengthen his legs, which are weak. He explains how valuable his new wheelchair is because it helps him maneuver more easily and do the things he want to do, like go to school and play basketball with his brother Tyler.

This full-color picture book series from the nation's leading rehabilitation center will explain to readers ages 6 and up the needs of children with disabilities. The Learning Books offer valuable insight and inspiration for children with disabilities as well as for their family members and schoolmates. Each book is written from the viewpoint of a real child with a physical disability. The goal of each book is to see into the child's world, understand the physical challenge the child faces, and learn how an assistive device can empower the child to overcome the limitations posed by his or her disability.