Book Review: Poke-A-Dot Old MacDonald's Farm

Almost like popping bubble wrap, the Poke-A-Dot Old MacDonald's Farm book is addictive as much as it is educational. We bought it on amazon.com.

It can also encourage index finger isolation while counting animals and being rewarded with the plastic bubble popping. This book can keep Matthew and Elizabeth busy for a few minutes. Actually, Elizabeth has more staying power than Matthew.

This chunky board book makes for easy page-turning, but it is also heavy - at least for Elizabeth, who is 15 months old. The only flaw I have noticed is that sometimes the plastic dots like to pop more to one side than the other. Maybe a little more use will help fix that issue.

And as fun as it is to pop the plastic dots over and over and over, I must say that I don't let Matthew have this book unsupervised too often. Poke-A-Dot is fun and for Matthew, it can encourage unwanted sensory addictive behavior, when he acts like he's under a "poking spell." It is at that time when I personally feel that the educational value of the book is negated.

Otherwise, it's a neat book. I just have to look through it with Matthew and make it as interactive and engaging as possible without him going into a semi-trance.

Have you read it? What do you think?

Book Review: Taking Down Syndrome to School

/>This is the first children's book (for ages 5 to 10) I have read that addresses the r-word or "retard." Nick, the main character, goes to a public school where some kids have disabilities but most don't. He explains that it hurts his feelings when other kids call him names such as the r-word. From Nick's perspective, the r-word means slow and when other kids make fun of him using the r-word, it makes Nick feel that they think he's stupid. Nick also says, "I hope if you hear someone use the word "retard," you'll tell them to stop."

Kids will always have questions and wonder about kids who seem "different." I think it's important to address these questions honestly, accurately, simply, and in a way that is relevant to them.

I like the kid-tone of the book addressing why he doesn't speak clearly sometimes, why his tongue stuck out sometimes, how he looks different, how he needs more time to learn, and how Down syndrome is not a sickness and can't be caught like a flu. It is probably wordier than any of the other kid books I've read but real and common scenarios/ issues/ questions are explained clearly and simply. It offers guidance and sets the tone for inclusion and acceptance.

At the end of the book is a mini quiz for kids, 10 tips for teachers, and information on additional resources.

"Taking Down Syndrome to School" was published in 2002 by JayJo Books, LLC and written by Jenna Glatzer, a sibling to a brother with Down syndrome. Her brother's name is Paul Glatzer.

My opinion: A book that is well done! A two-thumbs up for advocacy in school for young kids!

Have you read it? What did you think? Have you read it to a classroom of kids?

Book Review: I Have Down Syndrome, What Does That Mean?

There's a new children's book on Down syndrome on the block and it's written by Sandi Graham-McWade, inspired by her young son, Hunter. "I have Down syndrome, what does that mean?" is asked all throughout the book. Illustrations, like the one on the cover, are found on every page that has simple one-liner answers for kids with Down syndrome who might ask the question.

Matthew is too young for this book right now. We'll probably read it together when he is in grade school or when he may ask what it means to have Down syndrome. It's a nice book to have in our libray alongside the other children's books we have about Down syndrome.

Have you read it? What do you think?

Book Review: Meet Annie

Written by Heather J. Scharlau-Hollis, a mother of 3. Her youngest has Down syndrome.

A delightful story about a little girl who talks about things she likes and how she feels about certain things. She engages the reader/listener at every page turn with questions, creating conversation just as one might have when getting to know a young child.

This is the kind of book I would take to Matthew's kindergaten class (when he's in kindergarten) if I am given the opportunity to share or read a book. I think it would raise awareness about Down syndrome in terms that a kindergartener would relate to on a personal level. It is geared toward helping very young minds understand how having Down syndrome makes Matthew different and yet has feelings, likes and dislikes just like everyone else without Down syndrome. I would love for his friends and classmates to appreciate his and each other's differences and realize that differences makes everyone unique.

NOTE: The book also comes with an audio download.

Have you read it? What do you think?

Book Review: A B C for You and Me

Written by Meg Girnis.
Photography by Shirley Leomon Green.

I find the simple layout, white background and good photographs of kids with Down syndrome most appealing about this picture book. Each page is a photo of a child or children with the object corresponding to the letter of the alphabet. A letter is found at the top of each page in both uppercase and lowercase. The word for the object is printed in big black font at the bottom.

Matthew and I point to the objects in each photograph. Sometimes he labels them with his approximation of the word. Sometimes he makes the sound associated with the word. For instance, he meows when he sees the cat. This is one of the many books I've been using to encourage Matthew to verbalize more words.

It's a nice book to have. Do you have it? What do you think?

Book Review: I Can, Can You?

Written & photographed by Marjorie W. Pitzer.

A board book for babies and toddlers to enjoy. The photos are of kids with Down syndrome playing, eating, drawing, and sharing. What a simple reminder that kids are kids, Down syndrome or not!

Matthew's favorite pages seem to be the one with the little boy going down the slide and the little boy swimming. He always stops at this particular page and starts babbling. It makes me smile and wonder what goes on in his head when he sees these photos and I wish I knew what he is trying to tell me.



Have you read it? What do you think?

Book Review: My Friend Isabelle

Written by Eliza Woloson and illustrated by Bryan Gough, this book for young children captures the essence of a bond that is free of prejudice.

How I wish everyone can be like Charlie, the little boy in the book, who truly appreciates his friendship with Isabelle, the little girl with Down syndrome. Charlie sees their differences but doesn't let that get in the way of their friendship.

I think this world needs more Charlies.

Have you read it? What do you think?

Summer Reading

We registered for this year's summer reading program at our library. Matthew earned a few nice prizes for reading - well, listening to me read to him - for 42 days. He now has a new shirt, a crazy straw, a smencil, and a mini paint set. We kept the shirt and crazy straw but gave the other items to his cousins.

The Summer Reading Program included going to the 30-minute Tot Time sessions at the library. During Tot Time, the librarian reads a few books and sings songs with toddlers once a week. Matthew doesn't always participate but it's good for him to hear the words of the stories being read out loud and hang around other toddlers.

I've learned to choose books that are easy to read and have colorful illustrations that hold Matthew's attention. A few of his favorite books borrowed from the library during the summer reading program, one of which I have reviewed in a previous post, include:

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
The Cow That Went Oink by Bernard Most - a cute story about being different. I think I enjoyed this more than Matthew did. It's not a baby book by any means but the animals and animal sounds keep Matthew interested in this book.
Cock-a-Doodle Moo by Bernard Most - Matthew is interested in cows.
Cats by Matthew Van Fleet - We love the squeaker on page 4.
Global Babies by The Global Fund for Children - Matthew enjoys looking at photos of babies from all over the world.
Baby Fingers: I'm Feeling...Teaching Baby to Sign by Lora Heller - We like to look at the toddlers in this book too.

Bonding Time
Reading to Matthew is something I cherish. He'll sit in my lap and help me turn the pages as I read the story. Sometimes he turns the pages too quickly and I end up ad-libbing or just pointing and naming pictures in the book. I believe that hearing me read the words to him helps with his receptive language. We also love to read his favorites over and over and over. He has demonstrated to me that he has memorized some stories. For instance, when we read Sesame Beginnings: Bubbles, Bubbles, he starts poking the bubbles on the page as if popping the bubbles as soon as I turn to the page that says "Bubbles, bubbles. Pop! Pop! Pop!"

Structure & Security
Our daily nap time and bedtime routine, which includes brushing teeth, changing his diaper, and reading, seems to give Matthew the structure he needs to know that it's time to sleep. I've noticed that including reading in our routine usually helps Matthew wind down. He feels secure with a routine and more importantly, with his most important and special person in the whole wide world - ME. Kowing that gives me more security than the soft, warm, plush blanket that enwraps me in slumber.

Book Review: The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Written by Eric Carl, this is a cute book about one very hungry caterpillar. This is one of the few books we borrowed at our local library that helps kids work on a specific fine motor skill - POKING.

The story progresses with the caterpillar eating through all kinds of food, leaving holes which are the perfect size for toddlers to poke their little fingers through. I used this to encourage poking and pointing with the index finger instead of the thumb. Matthew had a tendency of pointing or poking with his thumb, which is apparently common among kids with Down syndrome. Of course, there are other ways to teach poking with the index finger and eventually isolating it. But since Matthew generally likes books, why not hit two birds with one stone?

Book Review: Colin Gets A Chance

Written by Brian A. Beale in honor of his son, Colin Beale. This inspirational children's book about a little boy, who has Down syndrome, has a simple storyline bearing a significant message about acceptance and inclusion. The story is written in rhyme, making it extra enjoyable to read.

Colin has always cheered for his baseball team from the bench and is finally given a chance to bat in the last game of the season at the insistence of his teammates. I found myself smiling and cheering for him in my head, especially toward the end of the book.

The book cover and all illustrations were drawn by individuals with Down syndrome. That in itself is a powerful example of inclusion of individuals who appear different on the surface, but have so much to offer to society once given a chance.

The author actively advocates for his son using this book. In an email to me he says, "It really is the perfect children’s book to help parents and teachers open up the lines of communication about Down syndrome, acceptance, and inclusion. I’ve spoken to many different schools from first through eighth grade and it’s been great using my children’s book to teach the kids about acceptance and inclusion." I quietly wish that someday I have the opportunity (and courage to speak publicly) to proactively advocate for Matthew too.

I'm so glad I bought this book. Have you read it? Would you give this book a chance?

Book Review: Tails

"Tails" by Matthew Van Fleet is a very cute, playful touch and feel board book. Matthew's speech therapist had this book and brought it for a few therapy sessions to read to him. I recently found this at our local library and borrowed it.

I'd say it's a big step above the other simpler touch and feel board books. This book has more variety of textures and more interesting written and illustrated content and design. Except for the thin pig's tail, which was torn off the library copy, the book is well-constructed. The pages are double sided cardboard material with pull-out tabs on some pages that make the tails wag and lift-up-flaps on other pages that reveal a bigger picture, like the peacock showing off his tail. Matthew enjoys pulling on the wild boar's tail. It even has a scratch n' sniff skunk tail! But I personally don't encourage Matthew to scratch it as I don't need to be reminded of how smelly a skunk is. Around here, usually in February and March, there are dozens of skunks that don't make it to the other side of the highway. I'm just glad I haven't been the unfortunate driver that ran over one.

Overall, I say this is a good book. It's a fast read and action-packed so it's perfect for the stage that Matthew is in right now even if it's rated for kids 2 to 5. He enjoys turning the pages and attends relatively better to less wordy books. And for the few minutes that we're reading this book, Yuri, our cat, doesn't have to worry about Matthew going after his tail.

Book Review: Hi, I'm Ben! ...And I've Got a Secret!

I never tire of inspirational books, including children's books. This book, authored by Julie A. Bouwkamp, does not disappoint. While the target readers are siblings, cousins, classmates, and young friends of the child with Down syndrome, adults will delight in reading this book too. I certainly appreciated the awesome message captured through its simplicity and colorful images.

It is written from the point of view of a young child, Ben, who has Down syndrome. He starts by introducing himself and asking if you can guess his secret. He proceeds to provide clues, talking about the highlights in his life (like celebrating his 3rd birthday and going to the beach) and lowlights (time-out in the corner for being naughty), all of which many young readers without Down syndrome can easily relate to. Ben shares his secret towards the end of the book with an explanation of what it means. I find the encouragement to be friends at the end of the book very heartwarming.

Have you read it? What do you think?

Book Review: Peek-A-Who?

Peek-A-Who? by Nina Laden is Matthew's favorite board book. We read this book everyday, several times a day. It was with this book that he learned to turn pages. It's a quick read, which makes it perfect for speed readers like Matthew. When I say speed reader, I really mean 'speedy page turner'. It's a wonderful and simple rhyming book. The colorful illustrations are wonderful for a visual learner like Matthew. On the left pages, the words "Peek a" are repeated. The opposite page has a die-cut hole, allowing a sneak preview of what follows once the page is turned. Matthew almost always kisses the mirror on the last page - Peek a YOU!

Lately, he's been saying "buh" whenever he flips through this book. I'm not sure if he's trying to say "book" or trying to say the words in the book that rhyme with "who".

The Verdict: It's a wonderful beginner book!

Matthew's Top 10 Books

Many moms will agree that when you read books to your kids over and over and over and over, you'll memorize them. If you're like me, you'll be able to "read" the book without even looking at the book. It's one of many things I've come to learn on my own about motherhood that I never thought of before having Matthew.

I do love that Matthew is very interested in books. I read a few stories to him everytime before naptime and bedtime and whenever we just feel like it during the day. I usually sit him on my lap and let him choose which book to read by holding out two books in front of him. And I know he thinks about it because he'll look from one book to the other before reaching out for the one he wants, sometimes with a little chuckle as if pleased with his choice. When reading, I let him turn the pages. He owns quite a few books and his favorites are drilled into my head. And that's fine but I believe it would benefit him (and me) if we read other stories. In my attempt to help him branch out, we've been going to the library to borrow more.

Here are his top 10 books:
1. Peek-a-Who? by Nina Laden
2. Touch and Feel Farm Animals by DK Publishing
3. Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes..." by Child's Play, illustrated by Annie Kubler
4. Baby Loves by Michael Lawrence
5. Sesame Beginnings Bubbles, Bubbles by Sesame Street
6. Sesame Beginnings Eyes, Nose, Fingers & Toes by Sesame Street
7. Sesame Beginnings Nighty Night by Sesame Street
8. Baby Faces Hugs & Kisses by Roberta Grobel Intrater (borrowed from the library)
9. Global Babies by the Global Fund for Children (borrowed from the library)
10. 1, 2, Buckle My Shoe by Anna Grossnickle Hines (also borrowed from the library. Matthew accidentally tore off part of a page today. Whoopsie!!)

If you know of other good toddler books, please feel free to let me know. Leave a comment. Quick! Before I start reciting the Sesame Beginnings Bubbles book again!