Turtle Books
Jason & Nordic Publishers |
What our readers say:
Me, Hailey!
"Me, Hailey" is a warm and humorous story about Hailey's first day of
school. Hailey, who has Down syndrome, easily makes friends, is helpful
to her classmates, and in return, they constantly help Hailey find her
glasses!
Any parent with concerns about successful inclusion will be reassured by
this book. A great book to share with classmates and family.
Marsha Scheitlin, Down Syndrome Association of Northeast Indiana (DSANI)
The important book by Sheri Plucker entitled, "Me, Hailey!" is the best
one I have ever encountered on the subject of children understanding
and accepting a Down syndrome child.
As a retired teacher of thirty years experience teaching Kindergarten
and Second Grade, I know how important it is for books like this one
to be conversation starters in the classroom.
Sheri Plucker answers many questions children may have in her book yet
keeps an interesting storyline moving right along. We are all indebted
to Mrs. Plucker for sharing her passion for special children with us.
This book is a "must need" for every elementary library!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Lorraine J. Jones
Have you met Danny, Sarah, Patrick, Andy, Emma Lou or Kevin yet? These are some of the characters in the “Turtle Books” series. As a therapist you have probably met someone like Danny who has cerebral palsy; Sarah, who is non-verbal; or Patrick who is learning to use a walker. The difference this time is that these books are written to help assist children in learning about disabilities, or for a child who has a disability. These books would be good for children who enjoy being read to , beginning readers or discussion groups. Each book has pictures that are colored or black and white throughout that help illustrate the story. The location, characters, race, disability and sex are different for each book, which teaches that disabilities do not discriminate. These books would be great for a classroom, waiting room or home. As therapists, many times we forget what it is like to look at life through the eyes of a child. We have trained as clinicians to look at events from a scientific perspective. These books will help awaken the child in you and remind you that a simple answer can explain more to a child than a physiology lesson.
By Rick Caracciolo, MA,COTA/L is employed by the GA Dept of Labor—Vocational Rehabilitation
"The books arrived safely this week! I have read them all several times! They are wonderful books and I look forward to using them in my class. Your book "Sensitivity and Awareness" is amazing. I can't thank you and Turtle Books enough for writing and sharing such great material. It is difficult to find resources for children who have servere challenges. You have done the children a great service! Thanks again. Sincerely, Cheryl W, Ontario, Canada"
"Turtle Books is publishing wonderful stories about children who are disabled. We are delighted to see portrayals of children in believable circumstances who are not to be pitied or seen as heroic. The Turtle Book series gives a very real picture of each child as a person in a story that is fun."
Sara Brewster, Director Public Relations, National Easter Seal Society.
As a special education teacher, I found this book to be a perfect tool to use in my classroom as an example of a special needs student and her fears associated with change. The students really connected with Jo, the main character, and enjoyed learning about her struggles and accomplishments in the school environment.
Ms. Amy Gerard
Special Education Teacher for Emotional / Behavioral Disorders Program
Prince William County Public Schools, Va.
I use to struggle on a daily basis to include our students with disabilities into our activities. Dr. and Mrs. Brady provided in their book, A Charm for Jo, many strategies that have helped me to adapt the educational setting and incorporate inclusionary strategies to safely and successfully include our students with disabilities.
Mrs. Caryn Miller
Director of Child Care
Dade County Hospital, Fl.
Each year I have students with disabilities included in my fifth grade class and I’m always looking for a meaningful way of incorporating diversity training into my classroom. In learning about A Charm for Jo, I actually used the book as a diversity training tool; I read the book to the students, stopping along the way to discuss the various challenges Jo encounters throughout her school day, and have the students identify many of their challenges and how they overcome them. I then did the exact activity with my students…. It was amazing to see the comfort level and acceptance among my students after using A Charm for Jo as a diversity training strategy.
Stacy Urik
5th Grade General Education Teacher
Fairfax County Public Schools, Va.
This is a great story about how children with and without disabilities can learn from each other and help each other. Too often a child with a disability is depicted as the recipient of help, "always in need". This is a more realistic picture of how an individual with a disability has greater skills (in skiing) and is able to assist a child without a disability in learning to ski. The story is also unique in that it introduces adaptive equipment and clearly demonstrates how even individuals without disabilities use alternative equipment to more fully participate in life. Great story for class discussions.
--Dr. Paddy Favazza, University of Memphis
Leah's Night of Wonder
"Are we there yet?" "Why can't we have....?" Surely these age old questions were heard by parents as they traveled along to be counted as families traveled that road to Bethlehem. This is a year round favorite of the six and under crowd and a must for every library. It gives the reader a glimpse of travel those many years ago. They see and may compare the inn of that night with a motel they may have shared with their family. The story ends with Leah snuggled between her parents... "He really looks like a very special baby," she thought. "I wonder what they're going to name him?" The narrator asks the reader: "Can you tell Leah what they named the baby? That's right. They names him Jesus." Lusciously illustrated, this tale brings a child close to the characters in the Christmas story from the viewpoint of a four-year-old girl... the binding is reinforced with cloth -- the sturdiest of books! A great selection for preschoolers.
--M. Catherine Blooming, HM, Catholic Library World.
Little Billy
"Little Billy is a pony who was born and raised in the American West in the 1930's. He traveled to Richmond, Virginia in a box car in the winter of 1942 where he was bought by a sawmill owner. Author Carolyn Baber weaves a delightful story of Little Billy's real life adventures mingled with exciting fictional exploits of his young owner, Danny. Through tornado, fire, and a move from Texas, Danny and Little Billy share a very special relationship. Baber brings a realism to her engaging blend of history and fiction, drawing upon her experience and expertise from living with her husband on a horse farm in the Heart of Virginia and having been surrounded by and caring for horses all her life. Highly recommended."
--from The Midwest Book Review, Children's
Patrick and Emma Lou
This third printing of a Jason & Nordic favorite, has newly revised and colored artwork, but the story remains the same as reviewed originally in the School Library Journal (Sept. 1989).
"Three-year-old Patrick and six-year-old Emma Lou both have disabilities that keep them from walking normally. This simple story centers around Patrick's first steps with his brand new walker. He keeps bumping into things and down he goes -- once tangled in a heap with Emma Lou. Sometimes he wonders why they can't be like other kids who walk easily, but then, as Emma Lou says, "Because you're just you, Patrick, and I'm just me." This book presents likeable children in real situations. Avoiding the stereotypical characterization of disabled children as brave or pitiful, it allows readers to both groan and laugh with Patrick as his bottom keeps hitting the floor. Yoder's ... drawings help build empathy with the characters and events of the story. This book should be useful both for physically disabled children who will, at last, have early childhood reading that shows real kids like themselves, and for able-bodied youngsters in mainstream situations."
--reviewed by Constance A. Mellon
Andy Finds a Turtle
"What great books you publish! I have particular interest in the book, Andy Finds a Turtle. Since my daughter was born, I've been saying that she and the turtle have a lot in common: they both are going to accomplish what they set their minds to... it will just take them longer. They keep moving forward and never give up! Thank you for publishing these special books for our special kids."
Debra Brubaker, Speech-Impaired Children's Committee
Central Susquehanna (PA) Intermediate Unit
The Night Search
"Thank you so much for allowing me and the students of Overbrook School for the Blind to participate in the creation of your latest book, "The Night Search." It is a lovely story of independence, persistence and creativity in the face of adversity. When I read it to the children here, they felt good about Heather and how she handled the situation that she had placed herself in."
Sandra Finkel, Outreach Coordinator, Overbrook School for the Blind
When I Grow Up
"The book I read was called When I Grow Up. I enjoyed the book. When I Grow Up was about a young boy who was deaf, went on a Career Day field trip. During the trip, he met many deaf people who were working. In the end, he told his parents he was proud of his deafness. I strongly recommend all deaf and hard-of-hearing children to read this book with their parents."
By Amy Mowl, 12 years old.
"This first book by a hearing mother with a deaf son, is one of the best beginning sign language books about deafness, growing up, and future careers for a deaf person, that I have seen."
Hannah Merker, Academic Library Book Review
It's Time
Paperback, 32 pages, $9.95 Children's Picture Book
Does your child suffer from autism? Do you know what autism is? Would you like to teach to young children what this condition is without scaring them? Then I recommend you to get this book.
It's Time is the story of Tommy, a young boy who suffers from this so-often-misunderstood condition. He finds it hard to think in words and to express those words so that people may understand him. He needs to follow a strict routine, otherwise he gets incredibly frustrated and even afraid. However, by following a few simple rules, he is able to control his temper and fear of the unexpected.
Mammay addresses not only Tommy's fears and frustrations, but also those of his classmates as well. This is a helpful book to read to children so they will understand how to behave with children with special needs such as Tommy. The simple, colorful illustrations present the different scenarios effectively. At the corner of each page, enclosed in a small square, is a cute mouse demonstrating the emotion that Tommy is feeling at each particular moment.
The author is a special education teacher who has worked with children with autism. She writes with a straight-forwardness and sensitivity necessary in a story like this. It's Time is the type of book that will encourage an interesting class discussion among young primary school children.
Reviewed by Mayra Calvani
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Jason & Nordic Publishers
PO Box 441
Hollidaysburg PA 16648
Phone: (814) 696-2920
Fax: (814) 696-4250
email: turtlbks@jasonandnordic.com
