Children's Books discussion

In June, the Picture Book Club will be reading books surrounding the theme "Persons Facing Physical Challenges." As you can see, we are covering a variety of physical challenges here and I think this will prove to be a rewarding and inspiring month!

We'll Paint the Octopus Red (Down Syndrome)

Moses Goes to a Concert (Deafness)

The Secret Code (Blindness)

The Junkyard Wonders (various special needs)

See the Ocean (Blindness)

ALTERNATE TITLE:
My Buddy (Muscular Dystrophy)

Thank you, Kathryn, for once again figuring all this out. It looks like another great month.

I've already read three and have the other three on reserve, though one of the latter has only one copy for lending and it's not due until 6/5. Hopefully, it will actually be returned and I'll be able to read all this month's books. I hope all club members can get all the books they want to read.

My library actually has all of the books available this month, which does not often happen :-)

Heartening to hear that you're both able to obtain the books. Alas, it looks like I am only able to get three. I'll look forward to your reviews on all of them.

I am so excited about this month. I was able to get all of the titles and one extra. Looking forward to a great month of reading and learning.

Leslie wrote: "I am so excited about this month. I was able to get all of the titles and one extra. Looking forward to a great month of reading and learning."

Which extra book did you get? Just curious ...

I usually make a list of all of the other books that everyone recommends and then I barrow them from the library.

The one "extra" was Morris and Buddy: The Story of the First Seeing Eye Dog

Can't wait to start reading

Leslie wrote: "I usually make a list of all of the other books that everyone recommends and then I barrow them from the library.

The one "extra" was [book:Morris and Buddy: The Story of the First Seeing Eye Do..."

I'll see if my library has that one as well, thanks for the info.

Leslie wrote: "I usually make a list of all of the other books that everyone recommends and then I barrow them from the library.

The one "extra" was [book:Morris and Buddy: The Story of the First Seeing Eye Do..."

Ha! I have that book out from the library right now, but I haven't read it yet.

Let the discussion begin! I've only been able to get three of the books, but I'm looking forward to reading them in the next few days, discussing, and learning about the other books from those who were able to obtain them.

I've skimmed over all of the books so far, although I have only written a review so far for The Secret Code. I generally enjoyed the book. I don't think that the story is spectacular, but for young children reading on their own (and I think the book is meant for that), it is a great, easily understood and easily read introduction to braille. I also really like the fact that Oscar is shown first and foremost to be a typical school-aged boy. He is blind and due to that he reads differently, but other than that there is not much difference between Oscar and his classmates. I also found that the illustrations work really well for the text. They are fun and bright, and I love how the accepting, easy-going atmosphere of the text is reflected in the illustrations; everyone in the class seems to like one another, help one another and everyone is eager to have Oscar demonstrate his "secret code."

I really did NOT like the fact that while the braille alphabet is shown, it is not shown in braille's standard raised dots. I think it would have been much more interesting and certainly more educational to have the braille alphabet, the braille letters and examples shown using raised dots so that sighted children would get a real "feel" for braille letters. I also think that having the braille letters raised would have made the book a bit more accessible for blind children as well (in fact, I would have liked this book to have been dual-language, braille and standard letters, although Abigail mentioned that this would likely have been very expensive to do, that the raised letters of braille really do increase cost).

I've read and reviewed/thought about all of them (The Junkyard Wonders a while back) except for We'll Paint the Octopus Red, which is on reserve, but my computer is badly acting up. I'm doing everything very gingerly and am on Goodreads/online as little as possible, so hopefully I'll join in later in the month, hopefully not too far out.

Lisa wrote: "I've read and reviewed/thought about all of them (The Junkyard Wonders a while back) except for We'll Paint the Octopus Red, which is on reserve, but my computer is badly acting up. I'm doing every..."

I hope your computer is back on track soon, Lisa! I agree, better to hold off on writing up too much right now; would be terrible to lose reviews or whatnot.

Kathryn wrote: "Lisa wrote: "I've read and reviewed/thought about all of them (The Junkyard Wonders a while back) except for We'll Paint the Octopus Red, which is on reserve, but my computer is badly acting up. I'..."

Losing reviews would be a real pain, especially reviews you have already written. I hate computer problems and the often happen at the worst possible times. Good luck with the computer problems, Lisa and join the discussions when you can :-)

Thanks, Kathryn and Gundula. I was actually planning on buying a new computer in June anyway. This one is six years old. So I'm not surprised it's having problems. It mostly seems to be confined to my browsers/online, and maybe printing. But, that's Goodreads. :-(
As far as reviews go, if I ever have some time to read!, I write them in Word first, and make one flash drive back up every day, so I'm not too worried about losing reviews, unless the computer gets even worse. But I am limiting my online time. Thank goodness for my smart phone. Some emails in my life can't wait.

I've got several of the books and will join in soon.

REGARDING We'll Paint the Octopus Red

(copied from our other thread) Leslie wrote: "Well paint a red octopus- in the end we enjoyed the book. What I found hard was they spent many pages talking about the girls life and less than one page about life after the little boy arrived. I don't think my son really got what it was like to have a brother with Down's syndrome."

I always appreciate the perspectives of children on the books we read, so thank you for sharing, Leslie! I can see where We'll Paint the Octopus Red would maybe be a book that is more suitable for a family in which the new sister/brother with Down syndrome has already arrived vs. one to explain to others what it is actually like. I did think the Q/A session in the back was handled well, with good sensitivity and a general overview though certainly not exhaustive.

I have mixed feeling about the book itself. I wasn't a huge fan of the illustrations and found the first half of the book a little tedious at times with the girl asking things and the father answering back. I guess I was expecting more of a storytelling quality. But, I was very touched by the second half where the father comes home with the news about the new baby and the girl, so newly warmed to the idea of having a little sister/brother, starts to fear that everything she believed about having one was changed. I thought it was wonderful how the father explained that they would still be able to do all those things with the new brother, even if it took a little longer or required a little more patience. Still, I'm not sure I felt comfortable with the final aspect that proclaims that the brother will be able to do everything. While I realize this is a children's book and I certainly want to celebrate all the things that people with Down syndrome can accomplish in their lives, I am not sure it is realistic or fair to make children believe that there are no limitations. Of course, I know this is just a picture book and meant to be a jumping off place for more discussion, and perhaps the limitations need no be addressed until later years, but at some point the sister will have to realize that her brother does have limitations due to his condition. I guess I would have felt more comfortable with a message about the fact that even if he can't do everything just the same as she can, he isn't "less than." I think the story could have still been just as powerful and inspiring without making such a broad statement at the end that "there probably wasn't anything he couldn't do."

I also found it really interesting that my library had a note posted to the front cover saying, "Parents: This book contains subject matter about Down syndrome." I am not sure whether this was supposed to be something helpful, or more like a warning? It surprised me.


(I should note, though, that I do not have any experience with children with Down syndrome so please temper my review with that in mind. I do have a cousin-in-law with Down syndrome but he is in his 30s. He has such a warm, loving spirit and is a blessing to his family but he does face "limitations"; I'm not sure that these actually bother him, though, or if we are the only ones who notice them given that we see things he misses out on that we are fortunate enough to be able to do; though I wish I had more of his open-heartedness!)

I wasn't able to get Moses Goes to a Concert so I read Moses Goes to School. I wanted to visit one of the Moses Goes books.

I appreciate the author's note. I would be lost on what exactly ASL is without it. In the notes, I also found out that the author actually visited NYC J.H.S 47 School for the Deaf. Here he thanks a student for letting him use her actual letter and drawing of a dog in his book.

The story is about a boy named Moses who goes to a public school for the deaf and his first day of school experience. I enjoyed that the author included visual aids for sign language throughout the book. I wasn't a big fan of the artwork. It shows that Moses is just like any other child that does everything any child does. He even learns to sing a song on his first day of school.

I liked We'll Paint the Octopus Red a lot. I agree that it seems a little disingenuous to avoid mention of limitations, but given that the book was written by people who know more than I do, I'll accept that.

What disturbs me is that my library had it in the non-fiction section, even though the LCC note says fiction, even though they have similarly structured books in fiction. The consequence is that this book will not be found by casual browsers in the children's room and will not help the general community learn.

I can only guess that the library was thinking it was a sufficiently valuable book that they wanted to protect it from grabby tots to ensure its availability to those patrons truly interested....

In any case, thank you-all for recommending to me - I personally benefit from this graceful reminder that everyone has abilities and that we can focus on them, rather than on challenges and limitations.

I also liked The Secret Code a lot. I liked that it was just another 'early reader' book, and not a 'special' book about a 'special' child. I like that it's affordable enough that classrooms & libraries that wouldn't be able to afford a book that had actual raised Braille dots can still afford this, giving it a wider audience so more people learn. And of course the author's note reminds us that libraries can help interested people find Braille books.

Just one question, and please forgive my ignorance, but why does Oscar's book have pictures?

Cheryl in CC NV wrote: "In any case, thank you-all for recommending to me - I personally benefit from this graceful reminder that everyone has abilities and that we can focus on them, rather than on challenges and limitations."

Absolutely!

Cheryl in CC NV wrote: "What disturbs me is that my library had it in the non-fiction section, even though the LCC note says fiction, even though they have similarly structured books in fiction. The consequence is that this book will not be found by casual browsers in the children's room and will not help the general community learn."

Did it have any stickers on the front cover explaining that it is a book that deals with Down Syndrome? That's what my library did, which I thought was surprising. Maybe they have trouble classifying this book. The story seems fictional but then there's all the information in the back.

Cheryl in CC NV wrote: "I also liked The Secret Code a lot. I liked that it was just another 'early reader' book, and not a 'special' book about a 'special' child. I like that it's affordable enough that ..."

I did wonder about Oscar's book having pictures, but I think that might have been done in order to make Oscar feel that except for the braille letters, his book is like the other students' books and he is not all that different from his classmates. He might not be able to see the pictures, but I think he might like the fact that his book has pictures anyhow, it makes him less separate from his classmates.

Kathryn wrote: "Cheryl in CC NV wrote: "In any case, thank you-all for recommending to me - I personally benefit from this graceful reminder that everyone has abilities and that we can focus on them, rather than o..."

I remember you mentioning that sticker. It almost sounds like a parental warning, which I find quite strange, as there is nothing even remotely inappropriate about the book (unless some parents baulk at reading books dealing with physical challenges to their children, which would be very very sad).

Abigail wrote: "Gundula wrote: "It almost sounds like a parental warning, which I find quite strange, as there is nothing even remotely inappropriate about the book..."

I think it's probably more likely to be an ..."

You're probably right, I hope that's the case. And sometimes it is truly hard to find books when simply browsing, so stickers could really help with that.

Gundula wrote: "I remember you mentioning that sticker. It almost sounds like a parental warning, which I find quite strange, as there is nothing even remotely inappropriate about the book (unless some parents baulk at reading books dealing with physical challenges to their children, which would be very very sad)"

That was what I thought initially, too, which made me sad. Then I thought maybe it was more along the identification system that Abigail noted, though strangely it is NOT listed on the spine so you'd have to actually take the book out and look at the cover to see it which makes me think it's not really for identification but more for the warning. Oh well, I think it's a book that could be shared with many families even those who don't have any experience with Down Syndrome as it is, as Cheryl said, an important message conveyed in a gentle and gracious way.

Abigail wrote: "Something I'm wondering: will most libraries ILL braille material for their patrons? Are there libraries that specialize in braille titles? Anyone know? I've honestly never given it much thought! "

One of San Francisco's branch libraries has a huge Braille section and is known for that, and I assume (but am not sure) than the main branch library also has some Braille titles. Since we can reseve books and ask them to be sent to the branch(es) of our choice, if blind people know which books they want to read, and don't want to just browse, they can pick them up from and return them to any branch they want. I haven't noticed any Braille titles at the branch I frequent most often, but I haven't looked for any so I don't know for sure none are available.

Lisa wrote: "One of San Francisco's branch libraries has a huge Braille section and is known for that, and I assume (but am not sure) than the main branch library also has some Braille titles."

Oh, wonderful! :-)

Kathryn wrote: "Gundula wrote: "I remember you mentioning that sticker. It almost sounds like a parental warning, which I find quite strange, as there is nothing even remotely inappropriate about the book (unless ..."

It can even be a good story about the impending birth of a sibling, and there is always a chance that there could be complications etc. I do think that the message is gentle and very very positive, but perhaps one patron did not like the fact that the book is about Down's Syndrome (you cannot really tell from just the title) and complained, so the library chose to add a sticker.

Gundula wrote: "but perhaps one patron did not like the fact that the book is about Down's Syndrome (you cannot really tell from just the title) and complained, so the library chose to add a sticker."

That's a great point. Really, even looking at the first few pages one would have no idea. I suppose I could see where a parent chose it thinking it was just about a new baby and then had this story maybe it would scare some children. I think there is a right time and place for it, certainly, but it might be a bit jarring if it was just chosen as a general "new baby" sort of book.

Kathryn wrote: "Gundula wrote: "but perhaps one patron did not like the fact that the book is about Down's Syndrome (you cannot really tell from just the title) and complained, so the library chose to add a sticke..."

And many parents just choose a picture book and start reading it without first skimming it. I, personally, would not consider the book problematic, but a very young or a very sensitive child might react differently.

The secret code- A few things, I think the reading that they put the pictures on the book is so that the sighted friend could tell what the item was. Books that are in Braille come in different styles. If a sighted parent is reading the book with Braille on it then it is Interlined. This is were a typical book has braille layer over the printed words so the child could read it with their hands and the parent can still see the words. Aother way a Braille book is printed and more commonly for a blind reader is on both sides of the paper without any pictures or diagrams. They would be described in the text.
One last thing a typical book takes extra space and many more Volumes to print. So books like this we usually get in electronic format and the child would read with a refreshable Braille display so they don't have to cart around 85 volumes of a math book.
Hope that answers some questions.

Today I was working with a 5 year old that has a progressive visual impairment. He has already lost one of his eyes and will have surgery in July on the only remaining eye. After I finished work with him I told him I brought him something exciting. When we were done with our lesson, walking with his long cane we sat together and read The Secret Code together. This is a child who is having a hard time accepting the need to learn Braille. He sat still the whole time and was so excited when he found out that Oscar read Braille. He asked why the letters were not raised. He was so proud of this book that when we were done he ran to his mom to show her the book. It was a really special momment and I hope this will help him on hid journey to becoming a Braille reader.

Leslie, What a heartwarming story, but that's a sad situation.

Thank you for sharing, Leslie.

That's a heartwarming story, Leslie, but I agree with Lisa, what a sad situation, poor little guy. I'm so glad that he enjoyed The Secret Code; I hope it makes learning braille less stressful and problematic for him.

I think the book might, therefore, also be of use for a child just learning braille, or as in the case Leslie described, a child who is having severe vision problems and is having a hard time accepting that and the need to learn braille. Oscar is such a typical school aged boy; except for the fact that he reads in braille, he is really not all that different from his classmates. His blindness is never singled out, braille is seen just as another way of reading, and a way that can be taught to and learned by everyone (and it will be Oscar who teaches braille to his classmates). I still think it would have been nice to have had at least the alphabet page in the raised dots of braille, but if it is a matter of cost, I can understand that to a point (I still think it was a bit of a missed opportunity).

Maybe I should go back and raise the dots at work.
It would add so much for the book.

Lisa wrote: "Leslie, What a heartwarming story, but that's a sad situation."

I agree!

I am really appreciating this discussion on The Secret Code but am bummed this is one of the books I could not get. Thank you all for the thoughtful comments and observations so that I can still learn from it.

Thank you Leslie for enriching our understandings!

My library did not mark We'll Paint the Octopus Red on spine or front, with warning or even just with information. I can ask my youth librarian why it's shelved as non-fiction if any of you want me to, but I'm not sure she'll know as she's pretty new.

I was a tiny bit bored by Moses Goes to a Concert. Nothing wrong with it; it was friendly, cheerful, educational - just didn't thrill me.

The Junkyard Wonders was better, but still didn't totally grab me. I mean, it's a lovely and important book, but somehow I wouldn't be surprised if Patricia Polacco's books are more beloved by teachers and librarians than they are by children.

I can't wait to hear the parents here let us know what their little ones thought of these books!

I solved my internal battles with The Secret Code, I ordered my own copy I will put the proper Braille letters in it and then share it with all of my little kids.

It is a win win, we get Braille on the story and the library gets their book back unchanged.

It was funny, my son came to my new office and while he was at my desk he saw a Braille letter to me from one of my students. He said " look mommy Braille, just like Oscar reads". That goes to show us how powerful the book are we read to our children.
Thanks for listening, I can new sleep well at night.

Leslie wrote: "I solved my internal battles with The Secret Code, I ordered my own copy I will put the proper Braille letters in it and then share it with all of my little kids.

It is a win win, we get Braille ..."

That sounds like a great solution! Thank you for sharing. (And I'm so happy to hear your son's response after reading the book; I've always believed books can make a difference and it's just wonderful to hear affirmations of this!)

***Just a little aside her to make a little announcement: At the request of one of our members, I'm opening up a discussion of whether we should allow repeat books between themes (i.e., how "Junkyard Wonders" has been part of two official theme reads now) over in our Group Business folder, so if you have thoughts on the issue, please weigh-in. Thanks!

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2...

Cheryl in CC NV wrote: "I was a tiny bit bored by Moses Goes to a Concert. Nothing wrong with it; it was friendly, cheerful, educational - just didn't thrill me.

The Junkyard Wonders was bet..."

I found Moses Goes to a Concert a bit dragging as well, the text was sweet, informative, but not all that engaging or exciting.

Gundula wrote: "I found Moses Goes to a Concert a bit dragging as well, the text was sweet, informative, but not all that engaging or exciting."

Oh, dear. This is one of the three I was able to get this month. I still look forward to reading it and hope I will enjoy it more but doesn't sound like it's a real winner based on the comments so far...

Kathryn wrote: "Gundula wrote: "I found Moses Goes to a Concert a bit dragging as well, the text was sweet, informative, but not all that engaging or exciting."

Oh, dear. This is one of the three I was able to ge..."

The story was not bad, it was actually quite enjoyable, it was just not an emotionally engaging "wow" type of a story (I certainly did not feel like I was in the story or as emotionally drawn into the story as I felt when I was reading The Junkyard Wonders or See the Ocean). I enjoyed reading about Moses' trip to a concert (and the fact that the percussionist is deaf herself and follows the rest of the orchestra through the vibrations on the floor), but I felt it was more of a description, more of an interesting information book than an actual story.

What my son and I liked was that the Perecussionist also had bare feet like Moses the main Charater. It was great to see a story about a person who is deaf in an important role that was a big part of the Orchestra. I thought it was great they included Moses signing not some other stranger.

I also liked that they showed the kids going on a field trip together and signing together.

I guess I am the rare one that didn't feel that it dragged, my son and I enjoyed it. Another great pick!

Leslie wrote: "What my son and I liked was that the Perecussionist also had bare feet like Moses the main Charater. It was great to see a story about a person who is deaf in an important role that was a big part..."

I might also not have been in the mood for it, I tend to be a rather moody reader at times. I also liked the idea of using balloons to feel the vibrations of the music. I was wondering wether to do that the next time I go to a concert. Has anyone ever tried that?

Apropos vibrations, I've been reading two longer books for young adults about Helen Keller, and it is amazing, how attuned her senses were to even the smallest vibrations. The one book I am reading, Helen Keller: Rebellious Spirit describes how Helen Keller started laughing at the dining room table one time because she was able to feel the vibrations of the cook doing a humorous jig in the kitchen. Once she learned language, finger spelling, she was not in any sense of the word cut off from life, from the world, her sense of touch, smell, taste were so finely tuned that they were as sharp, if not sharper than many people's eyes and ears. Sorry for going off topic, but there still seems to be this attitude at times of blindness and deafness being a prison, when it really often is not. Helen Keller is a prime example of that. She thoroughly enjoyed life, travelled extensively, rode horses, you name it.

Kathryn wrote: "REGARDING We'll Paint the Octopus Red

(copied from our other thread) Leslie wrote: "Well paint a red octopus- in the end we enjoyed the book. What I found hard was they spent many pa..."

I think I had a similar general reaction to the book as you did, Kathryn. I really did appreciate the generally positive, optimistic outlook and the fact that the narrative focuses more on ability than disability and limitations. That being said, I also did wonder if the message of there being seemingly no limitations might not be a bit overly optimistic. I do know that not all individuals with Down Syndrome are the same, and while some face only minor, limited developmental and/or health issues, others face more serious, more severe challenges.

I don't know if it is entirely realistic or even fair for We'll Paint the Octopus Red to attempt to show that there are no (or hardly any) challenges and potential limitations associated with Down SYndrome. I am glad that the book celebrates ability and potential, but the possibility for limitations, for serious challenges should at least have been mentioned. In a worst case scenario, this omission might make it difficult for a child to accept and understand limitations and challenges for siblings, relatives, friends etc. who have Down Syndrome (they might expect no limitation and feel disappointment and frustration if that is not the case).

I did enjoy the back and forth between father and daughter, how both Emma and her father comfort and support one another. And Emma is not kept in the dark about baby Isaac's Down Syndrome. Emma''s father approaches his daughter as a person with feelings and questions, questions that require answers and are answered (there is never a sense of Emma being "too young to understand" no secrecy about the fact that Isaac has Down Syndrome).

I was surprised how much I enjoyed the illustrations. I think they provide a fitting complement to the text, and I love how the illustrations clearly show a distinct family resemblance (red hair, blue eyes, even the facial features and expressions of Emma and her father are similar). I also think that Pam DeVito has managed to successfully depict a baby/toddler with Down syndrome without having Isaac's features appear either too exaggerated or too muted (you can tell that his face, especially his eyes are slightly different from the rest of the family, but there is nevertheless a strong family resemblance).

I'm so glad to hear that I youngster is enjoying these - thanks for letting us know that, Leslie!

Gundula wrote: "Apropos vibrations, I've been reading two longer books for young adults about Helen Keller, and it is amazing, how attuned her senses were to even the smallest vibrations."

Oh, I'm very glad you mentioned this, Gundula! I was actually kind of hoping/expecting we would read a picture book about Helen Keller but then I wasn't especially wowed by any of them that I looked up (strangely enough) so I didn't pursue it on my own when one wasn't selected for the group read. I'm glad to know the YA book you are reading is so good and perhaps I will pick that one up instead someday.