Stretching Ourselves: Kids With Cerebral Palsy - Hardcover

Carter, Alden R.; Carter, Carol S.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0807576379 ISBN 13: 9780807576373

Publisher: Albert Whitman & Co, 2000

Synopsis

Describes cerebral palsy and focuses on the daily lives of three children with varying degrees of this condition

About this title

Reviews

Grade 2-5-Carter offers a brief description of the disorder, followed by photographic essays about four children with different degrees of disability. Emily's stiff muscles and tendons limit her movement, but she is determined to be as normal as she can be, even learning to skate and play basketball. She attends special classes in a regular school. Nic is wheelchair-bound and able to speak only a few words. He goes to a special school and has found ways to compensate for his handicap by using his sense of humor as well as the tools provided to him such as a talking computer. Tanner has a milder form of CP; he is determined to play football and even act in a school play. Leslie has had operations for her physical disabilities but now loves to spend time riding horses. These stories are told with multiple full-color photographs showing the children at work and at play. The simple explanation of the disorder is supported by the inclusion of lists of organizations that can give additional information as well as by books and periodicals on the subject. With many children attending schools with varying degrees of cerebral palsy, this solid introduction to the disability provides just enough information for younger children or to begin a discussion.
Margaret C. Howell, West Springfield Elementary School, VA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

In a straightforward essay, Carter talks about three children with cerebral palsy, a disease that affects the control of voluntary muscles. Emily, Tanner, and Nic have varying degrees of CP. They are shown doing regular kid things--going to school and playing with friends--as well as undergoing physical therapy and using a computer to communicate. The color photographs show the activities in direct, uncluttered images that children will recognize. Without minimizing the difficulties (the children "must work hard to learn things that come easily to others"), Carter puts CP in the context of the child's whole life: Tanner has a stepdad and a little brother; Emily practices staying calm by caring for the family dogs; Nic likes to go bowling with his cousins even if his hands don't always do what he wants. A page of information about CP and a resource list are included. GraceAnne A. DeCandido

Edition details

• Publisher: Albert Whitman & Co
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0807576379
• ISBN 13: 9780807576373
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 40