Book+List

 // In my classroom I will these use books and other like them to teach acceptance, awareness, understanding, and to give encouragement to students that have disabilities. // **  Book List  ** 1. We’ll Paint the Octopus Red Written by Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen Illustrated by Pam DeVito This is a story about a little girl who is a little apprehensive because her mother is pregnant and she will have a little brother soon. To calm her fears she and her father discuss some of the perks of have a sibling and the wonderful things they can do together. The girl later finds out that her baby bother will have Down syndrome she fears that he will not be able to play with her however, after another discussion with her father she realizes that she and her brother will still be able to play and do wonderful things together but he may require a little more time and patience. This is a great book to read to a student who has a sibling or a family member that has just been diagnosed with Down syndrome I would also recommend this book to the adult in the family because it is inspiring. 2. Sarah’s Sleepover Written by Bobbie Rodriguez Illustrated by Mark Graham This story is about a little girl named Sarah, who is blind, her cousins came for a sleepover, and when the parents left, the lights went out, everyone was afraid except for Sarah and she calmed everyone’s fears. This book is great for those students that are blind, has vision impairment, or know some that does, this book illustrates that although a person with a visual disability can still play and engage in fun activities. In a class setting, this book can also be used to teach students that a student with a disability can still be a great friend, and may be better at some things because of their disability. 3. I’m Deaf and It’s Okay Written by Lorraine Aseltine, Evelyn Mueller, and Nancy Tait Illustrated by Helen Cogancherry I really enjoyed this story is about a little boy who is deaf, in this story we are able to follow him through the day and experience his life as he discusses how he feels in different situations as a result of his hearing loss. This is a touching story because it provides insight to how this child felt concerning his disability this is a great book for a young child or a child who has just lost their hearing to see that it is okay to feel sad sometimes. I would use this book in class to bring awareness to some of the struggles that a student with a hearing disability may face, the book also shows how the boy overcomes each struggle, which I thought was great. 4. Mama Zooms Written by Jane Cowen-Fletcher This is a story about a young boy whose mother is confined to a wheel chair in the story the boy discusses all of the wonderful experiences and adventures he shares with his mother while she is in her wheel chair. In my class, I would use this book for a student whose family member might in a wheelchair because this book highlights the positive and shows a mother having fun with her child. If the child or the family member is embarrassed about their disability, I believe this book could help. 5. My Pal, Victor/Mi amigo, Victor Written by Diane Gonzales Bertrand Illustrated by Robert L. Sweetland This book is written in two languages English and Spanish, the boy in the story Dominic is telling about all of the fun adventures that he shares with his friend Victor. In the story, we see that Dominic and Victor do everything together, later in the story we find out that although Victor is in a wheelchair he is still able to participate in all of the fun activates. Wow what a great story, in my class I would use this book to show students that they do not have to be limited because of their disabilities; they can still participate in many activities and enjoy a fun life. I would also use this book to demonstrate to my students that just because someone is in a wheelchair they can still have fun. //  To often, students with disabilities are feared are treated poorly by their peers, teachers, and sometimes family members because they do not understand. These books are wonderful teaching tools and they bring awareness that just because a child has a disability that does not make them disabled they still have feelings and can participate in many if not all activities. // 