in association with Barnes and Noble
This page has books with characters who are visually impaired. If you would like more information on any of these books, or to order, click on the book title. To suggest a book that would fit into this category email me. Happy reading!Dorris, Michael. Sees Behind the Trees . For ages 8 to 12. From Children's Literature: "Walnut, a fifteenth century Powhatan Indian, dreads the warrior's test to prove his manhood because of his limited vision. It is his other, extremely acute senses of hearing, smelling and intuition that earn him the name Sees Behind Trees. Once he receives this great name and acknowledgement, he wonders how his name fits him. This leads him, finally, on a grand adventure where discovers a miraculous land of water, and goes through losses that transform him from boy to man. Dorris' portrayal of the humor, warmth, and wisdom through experience of Native American life vividly shows a different era and way of being."
Dwight, Laura. We Can Do It . For ages 5 to 8. From Booklist: "In a series of individual photo-essays a number of children around five years old with various disabilities--cerebral palsy, spina bifida, Down syndrome, blindness--are shown with families and friends, teachers and therapists, at school and at play. The bright, informal color photographs are full of action and vitality, and the brief, first-person narratives are upbeat. "I can do lots of things," say these smiling, beautiful kids of various races--and they can. They are shown doing what makes them special ("The kids want to know about my wheelchair." "Last year I had an operation to help me walk." "This is my chair; my name is on it in Braille") and also what makes them like kids everywhere (having a pillow fight, playing with a computer, helping a younger sibling). This is a book for disabled kids and their families and also for all classrooms where kids worry and wonder about being different."
Karim, Robert, Ritz, Karen (Illustrator). Mandy Sue Day . For ages 5 to 8. From School Library Journal: "Mandy Sue's father gives each of his children a day off from their farm chores and their home-schooling lessons to enjoy the days of Indian summer, and today is her day. She describes her activities in sensual detail as she feeds and grooms her horse, Ben, saddles and bridles him, and goes for a ride in the surrounding countryside. After a sumptuous family dinner, she asks if she can sleep in the stable loft that night, and her parents agree that Ben will take care of her. Only as she sets off for the barn and her little brother brings her a flashlight do readers learn that Mandy Sue is blind. Karim's prose, which borders on blank verse, beautifully conveys the child's sensations and
emotions. Ritz's illustrations in muted colors have an old-fashioned ambiance and depict a warm family and the area's open landscape. Children will think differently about ``handicaps'' such as blindness after reading this story, and teachers wishing to engender discussion about differences should find it a provocative way to begin."Keats, Ezra Jack. Apt. 3 . For ages 6 to 10. From the Publisher: "Sam and his little brother Ben hear mysterious music in their apartment building, but they're not sure where it's coming from. They search every floor, but all they find are a lot of noisy people. But the blind man in apt. 3 is different; he's something special, and his music is something Sam and Ben won't soon forget."
Rau, Dana Meachen, Weissman, Bari (Illustrator). The Secret Code . For ages 5 to 7. From The Horn Book, Inc.: "Intrigued by Oscar's "secret code," Lucy descovers that her blind friend reads Braille books. After Oscar teaches Lucy how to read in Braille, the pair's classmates are eager to learn, too. Lively watercolor and ink illustrations complement the gentle message that human differences can generate new learning opportunities."
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This page last updated August 17, 1999.
