Invisible Differences
ADHD
Mom's Choice Award Gold
Academics' Choice Award Smart Book
Explains perfectly how creative students' minds wander as they conjure up theories and solve the world's problems. Bravo. I think the book will provide teachers with insight about their supposedly inattentive students who may never inquire about what the students are thinking as their minds wander. Dr. Susan Baum.
Source: Publisher (K-2nd Grade)
Eight-year-old Sam is always daydreaming about exploring space and the deepest seas, which is awesome—except when he’s supposed to be focusing on schoolwork or stuff at home. It seems like all he hears is, “Focus, Sam!” and “Pay attention!” The doctor says Sam is lucky: He has a very powerful brain! But he does need some help focusing. She gives Sam and his dad lots of strategies to try, like staying organized, eating better food, and asking for help when he needs it. Sam’s favorite strategy? Make time for imagination! A note to adults gives extra tips for helping kids with attention struggles.
Source: Publisher (K-3rd Grade)
If you are the parent of a child with attention issues -- ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, or sensory processing disorder -- then you will want to share this book with your child. This fun picture book pairs whimsical illustrations with a mother's poetic pleas as she tries, in vain, to get the attention of her child. Children will gladly tune in to this book to enjoy Emily Brown's flights of fancy and the lengths to which her mother goes to get Emily to focus. Wonderful word pictures, from silly to absurd, hold readers' attention, and eye-catching artwork captures each entertaining moment. The book celebrates the imagination of all children, but especially those whose minds seem to wander a bit more than others, and offers a reminder that humour is both a sanity-saver and relationship-soother.
Source: Publisher (K-2nd Grade)
Written for children ages 4 to 8 with ADHD and impulsiveness, Baxter Turns Down His Buzz is the story of a high-energy rabbit who learns to control his activity level. Baxter was the fastest bunny in the forest. His mind buzzed with thoughts and his body wanted to zoom! But sometimes he lost control of his buzz and his zoom, like when he rammed into the raccoons during the annual forest race.
His uncle Barnaby guides Baxter through the steps necessary to "turn down his buzz" through behavioral strategies like mindfulness, progressive relaxation, and visualization, rather than medication. At the next forest race, Baxter finds that his buzz is just right!
Source: Publisher (K-2nd Grade)
Allergies
PreK-3rd Grade A whimsical tale of eight friends with food allergies. Food allergies are never fun, but best friends always are! This light-hearted story explores the daily routines of eight best buggy friends such as Beetle, Cricket and Butterfly, as they face their respective food allergies with positivity and poise. At home and at school, at the park, or on the beach, BugaBees find ways to stay safe, have fun, and remember that the joy of friendship is far sweeter than any food they can, or in some cases, can't have.
Source: Publisher (PreK-3rd Grade)
As a loveable dog named Bentley approaches his first day of school, he begins to worry about being away from his parents and keeping himself safe due to his food allergies. This age-appropriate book was written to be incredibly simple to follow and to address not only a young child's food allergies, but also his or her concerns about being away from family members for the first time.
Because Bentley and his teachers know how to keep him safe, he successfully manages his way through multiple activities including snack time, arts and crafts, and recess. At the end of the day, Bentley has had such a good time, he can't wait to come back tomorrow.
This book is not allergy-specific to appeal to a wide range of families managing life-threating food allergies and special dietary needs.
Source: Publisher (PreK-3rd Grade)
Autism
NSTA Best STEM Books for K-12 Selection
NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books Selection
Dolly Gray Children's Literature Award Recipient
A Mighty Girl Book of the Year
If you've ever felt different, if you've ever been low, if you don't quite fit in, there's a name you should know... Meet Dr. Temple Grandin--one of the world's quirkiest science heroes! When young Temple was diagnosed with autism, no one expected her to talk, let alone become one of the most powerful voices in modern science. Yet, the determined visual thinker did just that. Her unique mind allowed her to connect with animals in a special way, helping her invent groundbreaking improvements for farms around the globe.
Source: Publisher (K-3rd Grade)
Callie is very proud of her brother Charlie. He's good at so many things -- swimming, playing the piano, running fast. And Charlie has a special way with animals, especially their dog, Harriett.
But sometimes Charlie gets very quiet.
His words get locked inside him, and he seems far away.
Then, when Callie and Charlie start to play, Charlie is back to laughing, holding hands, having fun.
Charlie is like any other boy – and he has autism.
In this story, told from a sister's point of view, we meet a family whose oldest son teaches them important lessons about togetherness, hope, tolerance, and love.
Holly Robinson Peete, bestselling author, actress, and national autism spokesperson, has paired with her daughter, Ryan, to co-author this uplifting book based on their own personal experiences with Holly's son and Ryan's brother, RJ, who has autism.
Source: Publisher (PreK-3rd Grade)
Eight-year-old Quinn, a young boy with Asperger's Syndrome, tells young readers about the achievements and characteristics of his autism heroes, from Albert Einstein, Dian Fossey and Wassily Kandinsky to Lewis Carroll, Benjamin Banneker and Julia Bowman Robinson, among others. All excel in different fields, but are united by the fact that they often found it difficult to fit in-just like Quinn.
Source: Publisher (2nd-6th Grade)
An illustrated children's book about Andy, a boy with autism. Rosie, the watchful and protective sister, supplies background on Andy and autism, as well as a sibling's perspective.
Source: Publisher (1st-3rd Grade)
In All My Stripes, Zane the zebra feels different from the rest of his classmates. He worries that all they notice about him is his "autism stripe." With the help of his Mama, Zane comes to appreciate all his stripes - the unique strengths that make him who he is!
Source: Publisher (K-3rd Grade)
Irish publishing house Special Stories Publishing in conjunction with Irish Autism Action has released an exciting and unique new children's book focusing on young children with Autism/ASD. The book is beautifully illustrated by Irish artist Caitriona Sweeney and is designed to introduce all children, especially those in mainstream school, to a child with ASD. The story begins with Matthew greeting his new classmate Simon on his first day at a new school. When Mathew realises Simon is a little different to his other friends, he's just not sure if he wants to have 'a friend like Simon'. However, a school trip to the funfair soon helps to change his mind! This new book will be a very welcome resource for Irish parents and teachers alike as an introduction to Autism/ASD for other young children.
Source: Publisher (PreK-3rd Grade)
Today I moved to a twelve-acre rock covered with cement, topped with bird turd and surrounded by water. I'm not the only kid who lives here. There's my sister, Natalie, except she doesn't count. And there are twenty-three other kids who live on the island because their dads work as guards or cook's or doctors or electricians for the prison, like my dad does. Plus, there are a ton of murderers, rapists, hit men, con men, stickup men, embezzlers, connivers, burglars, kidnappers and maybe even an innocent man or two, though I doubt it. The convicts we have are the kind other prisons don't want. I never knew prisons could be picky, but I guess they can. You get to Alcatraz by being the worst of the worst. Unless you're me. I came here because my mother said I had to.
Source: Publisher (5th-7th Grade)
Rose Howard is obsessed with homonyms. She's thrilled that her own name is a homonym, and she purposely gave her dog Rain a name with tow homonyms (Reign, Rein), which, according to Rose's rules of homonyms, is very special. Not everyone understands Rose's obsessions, her rules, and the other things that make her different--not her teachers, not other kids, and not her single father. When a storm hits their rural town, rivers overflow, the roads are flooded, and Rain goes missing. Rose's father shouldn't have let Rain out. Now Rose has to find her dog, even if it means leaving her routines and safe places to search.
Source: Publisher (6th-8th Grade)
Diabetes
Put your child's fears about diabetes to rest with the help of these 25 stories that will enchant and delight. Each one warmly tells a tale that helps fears like shots, blood tests, and more vanish quickly.
Source: Publisher (2nd-6th Grade)
Jessa's week-long trail riding trip into the Rocky Mountains should have been the experience of a lifetime. Ignoring increasingly peculiar symptoms, Jessa sets off into the mountains, determined to enjoy herself despite feeling very ill. To her horror, she finds herself regaining consciousness in an Alberta hospital! This is only the beginning of a long journey of recovery, one which turns Jessa's life upside down and threatens even her desire to ride.
"Return to Skoki Lake is an engaging novel that captures the challenges and frustrations of living with diabetes....[It] is a delight to read and is highly recommended for children with diabetes, as well as those who share their lives." - Allison Husband, RN, MN, CDE (Diabetes Clinic, Alberta Children's Hospital and member of National Publications Committee, Canadian Diabetes Association).
Source: Publisher (2nd-5th Grade)
Lara is an active little girl who is normal in every way except she has diabetes. LARA TAKES CHARGE helps children meet their challenges and feel accepted and capable of achieving anything.
Source: Publisher (PreK-2nd Grade)
Dyslexia
Special Stories Publishing in conjunction with the Dyslexia Association are delighted to make Toms Special Talent a children's resource picture book dealing with dyslexia availble to you.Children with Dyslexia or a learning difficulty often find school a daunting and sometimes terrifying daily task. In an environment where certain skills, like writing and reading, are praised and highlighted more than others, it is important for kids to recognise that everyone has a 'special talent' of their own. It encourages other kids to be mindful of the differences that exist between their friends and classmates and to be aware that all children, regardless of their talents, learn differently.
Source: Publisher (K-2nd Grade)
This funny, touching picture book-the perfect gift for a child to give to their own teacher-celebrates the difference a good teacher can make. Written as a thank-you note to a special teacher from the student who never forgot her, this moving story makes a great read-aloud and a perfect gift for back to school--no matter what that looks like!
Dear Teacher, Whenever I had something to tell you, I tugged on your shirt and whispered in your ear. This time I'm writing a letter. So begins this heartfelt picture book about a girl who prefers running and jumping to listening and learning--and the teacher who gently inspires her. From stomping through creeks on a field trip to pretending to choke when called upon to read aloud, this book's young heroine would be a challenge to any teacher. But this teacher isn't just any teacher. By listening carefully and knowing just the right thing to say, she quickly learns that the girl's unruly behavior is due to her struggles with reading. And at the very end, we learn what this former student is now: a teacher herself.
Source: Publisher (K-3rd Grade)
Hank stars the same Hank as in the bestselling Hank Zipzer series, only this time he's in 2nd grade! Hank is a kid who doesn't try to be funny, but he somehow always makes the kids in his class laugh. He's pretty bad at memorizing stuff, and spelling is his worst subject. (But so are math and reading!) In the first book in this new series, Hank's class is putting on a play, and Hank wants the lead part: Aqua Fly. But he freezes in his audition and can only buzz like a fly. His teacher creates a special part for Hank, a silent bookmark. This may seem like an insignificant role, but when his enemy, Nick McKelty, freezes during the performance, it's up to Hank to save the play!
Source: Publisher (K-3rd Grade)
The real-life, classic story of a dyslexic girl and the teacher who would not let her fail. A perfect gift for teachers and for reading students of any age.
Patricia Polacco is now one of America's most loved children's book creators, but once upon a time, she was a little girl named Trisha starting school. Trisha could paint and draw beautifully, but when she looked at words on a page, all she could see was jumble. It took a very special teacher to recognize little Trisha's dyslexia: Mr. Falker, who encouraged her to overcome her reading disability. Patricia Polacco will never forget him, and neither will we.
This inspiring story is available in a deluxe slipcased edition, complete with a personal letter to readers from Patricia Polacco herself. Thank You, Mr. Falker will make a beautiful gift for the special child who needs encouragement&150or any special teacher who has made a difference in the child's life.
Source: Publisher (K-3rd Grade)
The author of the beloved One for the Murphys gives readers an emotionally-charged, uplifting novel that will speak to anyone who’s ever thought there was something wrong with them because they didn’t fit in.
“Everybody is smart in different ways. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its life believing it is stupid.”
Ally has been smart enough to fool a lot of smart people. Every time she lands in a new school, she is able to hide her inability to read by creating clever yet disruptive distractions. She is afraid to ask for help; after all, how can you cure dumb? However, her newest teacher Mr. Daniels sees the bright, creative kid underneath the trouble maker. With his help, Ally learns not to be so hard on herself and that dyslexia is nothing to be ashamed of. As her confidence grows, Ally feels free to be herself and the world starts opening up with possibilities. She discovers that there’s a lot more to her—and to everyone—than a label, and that great minds don’t always think alike. -Source: Publisher.
Source: Publisher (2nd-7th Grade)
Inspired by the true life experiences of Henry Winkler, whose undiagnosed dyslexia made him a classic childhood underachiever, the Hank Zipzer series is about the high-spirited and funny adventures of a boy with learning differences.
Source: Publisher (3rd-7th Grade)
Sensory Processing
This cute children's book helps explain some bizarre or "dramatic" behavior, and gives easy sensory answers to parents and teachers. Written by a mom and special education teacher, this story brings home what it is like to grow up with sensory issues, and helps kids understand that they are not alone. Children will enjoy the fun artwork and empathize with Ellie Bean. By the end of the story, Ellie learns how to cope with her issues and stop being such a drama queen . . . but she does keep her crown.
Source: Publisher (K-3rd Grade)