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This article originally appeared in the November-December 2004 issue
of the Children's Advocate, published by Action Alliance for Children.
Bookbasket: Trouble in school
These stories show that lots of kids have problems -- and that they
can cope with them and thrive
Ben Peterson
Many children look forward to each day of school, but many others view
school with apprehension. Frustrated by their differences from other students
and difficulties with learning, some children can become increasingly
unhappy and withdrawn. The following children's books recognize these
children, celebrate their differences, inspire them to keep trying, and
remind us that we all learn at different speeds and in different ways.
Leo the Late Bloomer, story by Robert Kraus, illustrations by
Jose Aruego (Windmill Books, 1971). When Leo was growing up, it seemed
he couldn't do anything right. He couldn't write, read, draw, or talk
as well as the other animals. His father worried, but his mother was confident,
explaining that Leo was just simply a "late bloomer." Sure enough
"in his own good time," Leo bloomed. He learned to read, write,
draw, and talk. This simple tale has become a consistent favorite among
children and adults for the last 30 years because it reminds everyone
that they should not lose faith: all tigers-and children-learn in their
"own good time." Ages four to eight.
¨
Thank You, Mr. Falker, story and illustrations by Patricia Polacco
(Philo-mel Books, 1998). Although she grew up loving the books her family
would read to her, Tricia found it difficult to learn to read when she
started school. She could draw well, but when it came to reading, it seemed
that everyone understood but her. By the first grade, she began to feel
different; she began to feel dumb. When she entered Mr. Falker's class
a few years later, she hated school, especially reading aloud because
the kids would laugh at her. One day, after asking her to write letters
down quickly, Mr. Falker told Tricia he knew what was wrong. She wasn't
dumb; she just saw letters differently than other students. He began a
program for Tricia with the reading specialist, and after a few months
of hard work, she was able to open a book and understand it. At the end
of this heartwarming story, Patricia Polacco reveals that Tricia was her
as a child. Mr. Falker represents the teacher who helped her overcome
her learning problems and begin her journey of learning through literacy.
Ages five through ten.
¨
Once Upon a Time, story and illustrations by Niki Daly (Farrar,
Straus, and Giroux, 2003). Sarie, a young South African girl, dislikes
school because she can't read as well as the other children, and several
of them laugh at her. She does enjoy weekends though, especially Sun-days,
which she spends with her Aunt Annie, sitting in her rusted-up old car
listening to her "once upon a time" stories. One day, Sarie
finds an old copy of Cin-derella and listens to Annie read the story.
She then practices reading it herself over and over again. Sarie slowly
begins to gain confidence in her own reading skills. She even begins to
recognize the parallels between the story and her own life. When Miss
November, the school principal, comes to her class, Sarie surprises and
impresses everyone by successfully reading aloud. Daly's gorgeous illustrations
of the South African landscape and charming characters like Aunt Annie
add depth and color to this Cinderella-esque tale that emphasizes the
wonders of reading and inspires children to continue to practice. Ages
four to eight.
¨
The Don't Give Up Kid, story by Jeanne Gehret, M.A., illustrations
by Sandra Ann DePauw (Harcourt Brace, 1996). Alex wants to be a famous
inventor like Thomas Edison, but in school everything goes wrong. He can't
concentrate and the kids laugh at him when he gets words mixed up as he
reads. After talking with a psychiatrist, he discovers that the reason
words always get mixed up is that he learns differently than other children.
Letters jump around for him and he sees everything at once. While working
with a specialist to find new ways to learn, Alex meets lots of children
with learning differences. When he gets frustrated, he remembers what
Thomas Edison said about an invention that took 10,000 attempts: he had
succeeded because he'd found 10,000 ways that didn't work. Through Alex's
story, Gehret shows that learning differences are only differences and,
with practice, children can overcome their initial frustration and difficulty.
Ages four to eight.
¨
Eagle Eyes: A Child's Guide to Paying Attention, story by Jeanne
Gehret, M.A., illustrations by Susan Covert (Verbal Images Press, 1991).
In this children's book, also by Jeanne Gehret, a child again learns to
succeed after the initial frustrations of a learning difference. Ben has
trouble concentrating. Feeling clumsy, fearing that he's frustrating others,
Ben feels bad about himself. After a doctor diagnoses him with Attention
Deficit Disorder (ADD) and recommends ways to help him concentrate, Ben
begins to improve his self-esteem. He learns songs to help him with his
morning routine; he listens to soft music to help him relax at night;
and he plays the "Feelings Game" to help him understand other
people's emotions. In these ways, Ben begins to pay attention to what's
important; and, in the end, it is Ben's difference that make him the story's
hero. Ages four to eight.
¨
Sit Still, story and illustrations by Nancy Carlson (Viking, 1996).
Patrick knows 101 different ways to sit in a chair. In fact, it's because
he sits in 101 positions that everyone (the bus driver, his mother, his
sister, his teacher, and his dad) is always telling him to "sit still."
When Patrick's doctor explains that Patrick can't sit still, his mother
develops a plan to keep Patrick busy. She fills his days with activities:
he helps her cook, mows the lawn, sings in the choir, and walks to school.
His teacher also gives him activities to do when he finishes his work.
Now Patrick knows 101 things to do while not sitting still. Through
Patrick, Carlson shows that sometimes the best answer for children who
cannot sit still is to provide them with reasons why they don't have to.
Ages four to eight.
¨
David Goes to School, story and illustrations by David Shannon
(Blue Sky Press, 1999). David always hears the word "no." No
yelling. No pushing. No running in the halls. Adults tell David to sit
down, to raise his hand, to pay attention, and not to chew gum. Always
getting into trouble, David behaves the way that all students know they
shouldn't and, perhaps because of this, children love reading about him.
Through Shannon's inventive and entertaining illustrations, children laugh
as they recognize both David's actions and the adults' reactions. While
this book is lighthearted, it provides an opportunity for parents and
children to discuss David's behavior in school and the reasons why the
adults are always having to say, "No, David." Ages four to eight.
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