Another outstanding health-related title by the author of I’m Tougher Than Asthma (not reviewed). Here the author explores the daily routines and challenges of three appealing school-age children with cerebral palsy. Emily, Nic, and Tanner, ach speak with a clear, personal voice. Engaging color photographs and the concise text capture the courage and a positive spirit of each of the children “working hard at simple things.” The book begins with an introduction written by Dr. Rebecca Campbell, who describes the three most common types of CP: spasticity (extreme stiffness of muscles and tendons); choreoathetosis (uncontrolled flinging) and hypotonia (floppiness)—and discusses current research on the causes and management of cerebral palsy. Sources of information are provided, including organizations, Web sites, magazines, and books. Emily has the most common type of CP, stiffness of tendons and muscles. As her father helps her exercise, she growls, “Sassafras!” “Rhubarb!” It hurts to stretch, but Emily says it helps her move better. Other photographs show her with her physical therapist, at play with her sister, and greeting friends at school. Nic spends most of his time in a wheelchair. He is shown practicing simple words with his speech therapist, communicating through his laptop computer, riding the school bus, bowling from his wheelchair, and struggling with his walker. Tanner, the least affected by CP, has a slight limp and weakness in one arm. It doesn't stop him from sharing in class or playing football with his brother. Emily concludes with a message to all kids: “Sometimes people are scared or shy because we move or talk funny. But you don't have to be. We like the same things you like.” An important book for sharing. (Nonfiction. 8-10)
Pub Date: April 1, 2000
ISBN: 0-8075-7637-9
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Whitman
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2000
Father Rabbit wants to count his very large family in this silly but appealing picture book. Unfortunately, every time he starts to count, they move, hop off, or start a game and he loses track. “ ‘One, two, three, four—oops! Oh, noggin-sploggin, boodle-doodle!’ he grumbled.” He waits until the bunnies are asleep to count them, and feels accomplished, but only until Mother Rabbit shows him the room where a lot of rambunctious little ones remain to be included. Delicately colored illustrations show all the frolicking rabbits, dressed in flowered and striped overalls and hats, climbing trees, dancing, playing hide-and-seek, and snoozing. Young children will enjoy the nonsense rhymes the father mutters every time he gets mixed up in this funny, soothing book. (Picture book. 5-7)
Pub Date: March 1, 1999
ISBN: 1-888444-45-2
Page Count: 26
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1999
Soft colors and small, rounded figures in Narahashi’s paintings add extra appeal to this alphabetic horsey ride. Leaping atop her rocking horse, Amos, a young daydreamer crosses a “bumpity bridge” with a “clippety clop,” gallops through fields, up and down a hill, and back to the “extra dry” barn as sunny skies give way to rain clouds. The partly rhymed text, with featured uppercase and lowercase letters in boldface, creates an evocative rhythm to underscore the playful pretend outing. (Picture book. 4-6)
Pub Date: March 4, 1999
ISBN: 0-374-30001-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 1999
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