By Julie Loe, B.S., PTA, Director of Pediatric Services
There are more sources for knowledge than any of us will ever
Here are a few of our favorite books, papers, guides, reports
and websites. We hope you find what you're looking for!
Return to recommended books for parents.
This is a large list of books for pre-schoolers about going
to school. Children need time to adjust to new routines and
expectations. Fun and familiar stories can be a good way to
help your child understand that a change is coming or to help
her adjust as it is happening.
||Where Do You Go to School?
||Come with Me to Nursery School
||Mr. Rogers Talks about. . .
||A Child Goes to School
||Miss Nelson is Missing!
||Carlos Goes to School
||I'd Rather Stay Home
||Sometimes I Hate School
||What I Hear, in My School
||The Berenstain Bears Go to School
||I Met a Polar Bear
||I Don't Want to Go to School
||Shawn Goes to School
||I Know a Teacher
||The Kindergarten Book
||We Like Kindergarten
||A Pocketful of Cricket
||Calico Cat at School
||The New Teacher
||No Good In Art
||When Will I Read?
||See You Tomorrow, Charles
||Will I Have a Friend?
||First Grade Takes a Test
||What's Good for a Five-Year-
||What's Good for a Six-Year-Old?
||The New Girl at School
||I Started School Today
||Crystal is the New Girl
||A Special Place for Jonny
||My First Days of School
||The School Mouse
||Steffie and Me
||First Day at School
||Will the Real Tommy Wilson Please
||Going to Kindergarten
||Debbie Goes to Nursery School
||I Hate Red Rover
||Jennifer Takes Over P.S. 94
||The 25˘ Friend
||Where are the Mothers?
||Miss Nelson is Back
||I Go to School
||The Monkey that Went to School
||Big Paul's School Bus
||Mrs. Peloki's Snake
||First Day of School
||Jumper Goes to School
||First Grade Jitters
||The First Day of School
||Show and Tell
||My Nursery School
||The Little School at Cottonwood
||Sea and Mr. Jones
||I'm Busy Too
||I'd Rather Stay with You
||Jeffrey Bear Cleans Up His Act
||Whit Mary Jo Shared
||Timothy Goes to School
||The Wonderful Mrs. Trumbly
||Betsy's First Day at Nursery
||Adam Smith Goes to School
||Gus was a Real Dumb Ghost
||Grover Goes to School
||Who Goes to School?
||Goodnight Painted Pony
||Fox at School
||Our the Door
||Morris Goes to School
Young People’s Books
Here are some stories to share with your children, both young
and old. Stories both for children and also by children about
their lives. I would love to hear your feedback after you have
read what is important to you.
Andy and His Yellow Frisbee
By Mary Thompson
Introduces young readers of (elementary school age) to autism.
Illustrated with vivid watercolors
The Lion Who Had Asthma
Jonathan London, Pictures by Nadine Bernard Westcott
Sean roars like a lion. But the lion who is Sean has asthma,
and suddenly it’s hard for him to breathe. The whole family
pitches in to help deliver the treatment, and soon Sean is King
of the Jungle again.
Draw Me A Picture
Susan Nessim and Barbara Wyman, A.T.R., M.F.C.C.
A therapeutic coloring book for kids to help them understand
the changes taking place, through Marty Bunny, who becomes sick,
is treated and get better. Ages 3-6
Available in Spanish
Nursery Rhymes from Mother Goose Told in Signed
J.G. Coleman, M.Ed.
More than a dozen favorite rhymes illustrated with full color
paintings accompanied by 389 drawings showing verses in signed
English. Designed to help young readers strengthen their language
Julie’s Beach Adventure
Created and Written by Anne Manuel,
Illustrated by William Inagley Studios, Inc.
First issue in the Friendship Circle series of stories where
differences don’t matter and warms hugs, understanding, sharing,
caring and giving are part of everyday. In the Friendship Circle
every member is special and appreciated.
Joey and Sam
I. Katz & E. Ritvo,M.D.
A heartwarming storybook about autism, a family and a brother’s
A Button in Her Ear
Ada B. Litchfield
Pictures: Eleanor Mill
Approximately 7% of school children have some degree of hearing
loss. Story reinforces a child’s healthy attitude toward use
of a hearing aid. For children in similar circumstances this
story has special meaning and sets the stage for new understanding.
Lee, The Rabbit With Epilepsy
Deborah M. Moss
A reassuring tale for young children with epilepsy. This story
follows Lee from her first seizure to the doctor’s office, and
then home with new medication to control her seizure. Ages 4-8
What Happens Next?
C. Christian & L. Dwight
Babies will love the colorful photographs and hidden surprises
in this sturdy little book.
Nick Joins In
A free, appropriate public education is guaranteed for all handicapped
children and whenever possible, they will be educated alongside
non-handicapped children, a practice known as "mainstreaming".
This book may help overcome child’s apprehension.
Shelly The Hyperactive Turtle
Deborah M. Moss
An aid for parents to help them explain ADHD to their preschool
or primary grade youngster. Ages 4-8 Fully illustrated.
My Brother, Matthew
When a child with disabilities is born into a family, life typically
shifts to focus on this child’s special needs. Siblings often
have difficulty adjusting and feel left out. This realistic
and compassionate tale tells what happens and what it is like.
Things Your Mother Always Told You But You Didn’t Want
By Carolyn Coates
A spiral-bound book full of little anecdotes that capsulize
many of the words of wisdom shared by a mother with her children.
Sugar Was My Best Food: Diabetes and Me
Carol Antoinette Peacock, Adair Gregory, Klye Carney
Nine year old Adair tells of how diabetes brought big changes
to his life. Little by little, he can his family learned to
manage his illness, and after awhile life got better. This true
story will help other kids in their struggle with diabetes.
Chris Gets Ear Tubes
Betty Page Illustrated by Kathryn Hutton
An explanation of what happens before, during and after the
surgery in language a child can understand. It takes away the
child’s natural fear of the unknown.
A Cane in Her Hand
Illustrated by E. Mill
A great book to help children without disabilities understand
those with disabilities.
Many Ways to Learn: Young People’s Guide to Learning Disabilities
Judith Stern, M.A., Uzi Ben-Ami, Ph.D.
This book is written for young people ages 8-14. Reading it
will help them learn to help themselves as it provides a clear
and positive understanding of what it means to have learning
Night Light: A Story for children Afraid of the Dark
Jack Dutro, Ph. D.
A creative story that taps the inner resources we use to calm
our fear. Uses imagination to change images of fear to images
of interest, fun and comfort, through a tiny creature, Kalispel.
Christine M. Winn with David Walsh, Ph.D.
A delightful and easy to read story about Buster and his discovery
of the monster within. Designed to help children cope with anger.
Uncle Willy’s Tickles
Children will be able to relate to Kyle, who is tickled by Uncle
Willie until it hurts so much he hides when Uncle Willie visits.
Designed to reinforce the concept that children can and express
themselves if they feel uncomfortable about something. Ages
Mama and Daddy Bear’s Divorce
Cornelia Maude Apelman, A.C.S.W.,L.C.S.W.
To a young child, divorce need to explained only in the simplest
terms. This book emphasizes the precious things in a child’s
life that stay the same. The message conveyed is that no matter
where the parents live, they will always love their child.
Gran-Gran’s Best Trick: A Story for Children Who Have
Lost Someone They Love
L. Dwight Holden, M.D.
Written to help children deal with the loss of someone they
love, and to help parents help their children with that loss.
It is also about how we grow from that experience and how those
we love never leave our hearts. That is love’s best trick.
Help Is On The Way: A child’s book about ADD
Marc A. Nemiroff, Ph.D. & Jane Annunziata, Psy.D.
Written from a child’s point of view for children ages 5 to
9 and their parents to help them gain an overview of ADD and
its effects. Not intended as a comprehensive text or guidebook.
I Want You Moo: A Story for Children About Self-Esteem
Marcella Bakur Weiner & Jill Neimark
This book is designed to be read to and with children ages 4-8.
It offers parents, teachers and counselors the chance to engage
in an open discussion of the rarely discussed subject of self-acceptance
Sammy The Elephant & Mr. Camel
A Story to Help Children Overcome Bed-wetting While
Joyce C. Mills, Ph.D. & Richard J. Crowley, Ph.D.
A delightful and profound story that can be enjoyed by children
of all ages. The theme of a struggling youngster who is guided
to discover his own unique abilities will touch the heart of
any child in a universal way.
Bernice Rabe with Photographs by Diane Schmidt
A heartwarming story about Misty and her toy monkey. Misty and
her toy monkey. Misty has Down syndrome, but that doesn’t mean
she acts differently from any other child.
K.M. Muldoon, Illustrated by L. Shute
A sibling secretly dubs her sister ‘Princess Pooh’ because she
sits on her ‘throne with wheels’ and gives orders. An honest
look at some universal feelings.
I’m the Big Sister Now
M.Emmert, Illustrated by G. Owens
How the loving care of family and friends can influence and
benefit the quality of life for children with mental retardation
and/or physical disabilities.
Otto Learns About His Medicine: A Story About Medication
For Children with ADHD
Matthew Galvin, M.D.
This book should help children ages 4 to 8 and their parents
bring a greater awareness and com fort to their discussions
with the doctor, as well as to encourage them to talk about
the effects of ADHD and of the medication.
Buddy is the best dog a boy could have. Fully illustrated, this
book demonstrates the desire of people with disabilities to
Howie Helps Himself
J. Fassler, Pictures by J. Lasker
Designed to help the child with a disability and the sibling
identify with some of the joys, stresses and strains of a disability.
Views From Our Shoes
A new book for children by children who share their
experiences as the brother or sister of someone with special
needs, the good and bad aspects, as well as many thoughtful
observations. May be useful to educators to supplement their
Russel Is Extra special: A Book About Autism for Children
Charles A. Amenta, III, M.D.
Written to help the most important people, children, learn about
autism by a father, who is also a physician, of an autistic
Zipper, The Kid With ADHD
Caroline Janover, Illustrated by Rick Powell
A novel for children age 8-11 which captures the high energy
and impulsive nature of a typical ten-year-old with ADHD. Zipper
is a lovable and bright child motivated to reach for his dreams.
To realize his goal he must come up with a plan and stick with
I’m Deaf and It’s Okay
L. Aseltiine, E. Mueller & N. Tait, Pictures by
How this little boy copes with the frustrations of deafness
at play and at home.
We’ll Paint The Octopus Red
A full-color illustrated children’s story for young siblings,
ages 3 to 7 years, who have a new brother or sister with Down
syndrome. Told with great warmth to put their minds at ease
and help them develop a positive outlook about their brother
Ian’s Walk: A Story About Autism
A story for siblings of autistic children, to help provide them
with an awareness of the challenges they and their families
face. Grade 1-4
Always Kiss Me Good Night: Instructions on raising the
Instruction on raising the perfect parent, as seen through
the eyes of 147 children.
Goldilocks and the Three Bears: Told in Signed
Harry Bornstein, Karen Luczak Saulnier
Provides children ages 3-8 all of the fun their parents had
when they first read this classic fairy tale. Parents and children
alike will treasure this book that makes a classic story fun
and instructive at the same time in a completely new way.
Baby Book: For the developmentally challenged child
A unique approach to the traditional "Baby Book" designed
for children with developmental disabilities. Special sections
for medical histories and Mom and Dad’s feelings
Your local bookstore may carry these books or be able
to order them for you, or you may obtain them on-line