It's Ok to Be Me: Just Like You, I Can Do Almost Anything (Live and Learn Series) - Softcover

Moore-Mallinos, Jennifer

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0764135848 ISBN 13: 9780764135842

Publisher: B E S Pub Co, 2007

Synopsis

From a child's point of view, life can often seem difficult, but this brightly illustrated book--one in a set of two Live and Learn titles--encourages children never to be afraid of a challenge. It's all right to be a little scared about things that seem hard to do, but whatever the challenge, determination and practice can get them through. The child in this story must stay in a wheelchair. Sometimes, he feels bad because he is left out of things by his classmates. One day, watching his friends play basketball, he has an idea. He decides that even while remaining in his wheelchair, he too can learn to play the game. The text is simple and the illustrations on every page are appealing. Four pages presenting activities for children appear at the back of each book, followed by a two-page section for parents, with tips on explaining the subject in more detail.

About this title

From the Inside Flap:

(back cover)
I used to feel left out of things because IĀ’m in a wheelchair. I thought I couldnĀ’t run around and play like the other kids.

Then one day, while I watched my friends play basketball, I had an idea. I decided that although I couldnĀ’t leave my wheelchair, I too could learn how to play the game.

It took lots of practice, sometimes on my own, and sometimes with help from my parents. But I kept on getting better and better at the game until finally I became part of the team!

From Booklist:

In an upbeat first-person narrative, a boy in a wheelchair celebrates his life, even as he confronts his tough daily struggles. He gets loving support from his parents, but in the schoolyard, the kids greet him but don't ask him to join their games. Then he strengthens his arm muscles and makes the basketball team at school. The ending may strike some as unrealistically happy, but there is lots to talk about here, including why the kids reject him: "Could it be that they're a little scared of me because I move in a wheelchair?" The acknowledgment of that fear makes this a good discussion book, not only among the disabled. Part of the Live and Learn series (which is also available in Spanish editions), this title, classified as nonfiction, is illustrated in clear, full-page line-and-watercolor pictures and features extensive back matter, including notes to parents and lots of activities. Rochman, Hazel
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About this edition

• Publisher: B E S Pub Co
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0764135848
• ISBN 13: 9780764135842
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 36
• Illustrator: Fabrega Marta