What Do You Use To Help Your Body?

Parents want their children to be sensitive to people with disabilities. Furthermore, parents of children with disabilities want those children to have hope. Author Jewel Kats, who also wrote Reena's Bollywood Dream: A Story About Sexual Abuse and Cinderella's Magical Wheelchair, uses this charming fictional story to teach youngsters that disabilities occur in every culture to people from different backgrounds and that working with a disability is a very real possibility for many people. With the colorful, full-page illustrations by Richa Kinra, kids can satisfy their curiosity about various disability aids and how they work in a non-imposing manor. In addition, the book can be used as a motivational tool for youngsters who have disabilities. At the end, Maggie says, Now, I can ask grownups about their `assistive devices' all the time. But when Momma says that not all people are comfortable talking about their disabilities, Maggie decides, I'll be respectful like you taught me. What Do You Use to Help Your Body? is a wonderful resource to introduce preschoolers or young elementary age children to disabilities and accommodations. -- Wayne S. Walker, Home School Book Review Children come in contact with people with disabilities all the time. Many kids will hide from them; others will ask questions that make those with the disability uncomfortable. This book shows the different types of assistive devices that people use in order to live normal lives. The main character of the story, Maggie, goes for a walk with her mother and learns all about the devices that the people around her use. She has an eye patch and her mother is teaching her that there's nothing wrong with her just because she has the eye patch. I think this book would be great for children of all ages. It can show them about the odd things we see people use without them having to ask questions that make people uncomfortable. It can also be used to help kids to understand their own needs, be it a permanent assistive aid or something needed temporarily for healing. Phaedra Seabolt, author of Imperfection This book is just right for a preschooler or young elementary aged child who needs a simple introductory explanation about disabilities and accommodations. It's characters experience varied limitations and are represented by culturally diverse people in the neighborhood. The book is short, matter of fact, colorful and to the point. --Laurie Zelinger, PhD, author of Please Explain Anxiety to Me Perception of a disability is life-shaping for those who are 'differently able'. it is imperative that they have assistive devices to help them lead normal lives and be perceived as 'normal'. i.e. differently able. Your book shows people living their normal lives with assistive devices which is the way it should be Thanks for your great contribution to the positive perception of people who are differently abled. --N.Siddiq, B.Sc., M.D., CBC freelance broadcast journalist This book is a great resource for parents, teachers and other childhood educators to help teach children about living with a disability. It offers important lessons in tolerance, compassion and dignity. --Mary Lynne Stewart, Director of Fund Development and Communications, March of Dimes Canada