Anyone who knows me is aware that I care a lot about kids with special needs and want to help anyone who is different to feel accepted. It's no surprise that I absolutely loved Riley's Heart Machine by Lori M. Jones.
This charming picture book is about a girl who has always kept her difference a secret from her friends, but she finally dares to share about her pacemaker at a show and tell time in her class. To her surprise the other kids find the "heart machine" and the story of how she got it fascinating.
I'm sure lots of kids who feel different for various reasons will find this picture book inspiring and it may even help kids who don't feel different (if there are any kids like that) to be more accepting of those who do.
The illustrations by Julie Hammond add to the charm of the book.
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13 comments:
This sounds like a heartwarming (no pun intended) story that helps kids understand the different challenges others have to deal with. I would have liked to see the cover as well. A great cover stays in your mind, and helps when choosing the right story for a child.
Books for Kids - Manuscript Critiques
http://www.margotfinke.com
Thanks for sharing this wonderful story Janet. It's always good for children to see the different ways the rest of humanity lives.
Hi Jan and Lori, Thanks for sharing this important book. It's vital for kids to understand differences, especially health and disability challenges. Understanding is the first step in accepting such differences. You never know when health issues or disability will become a part of your life. Thanks.
What a great topic, and I hope it makes a huge difference in the world. Thanks for writing it, Lori, and for the review, Jan!
Thank you, Janet, for your wonderful review and for all the comments. When I wrote the book, first as a poem, my daughter was only 18 months. I had no idea that as she grew she would go through a phase of being self-conscious of being different, of having a scar and bump. But now, she enjoys telling her story. At only the age of 6, she has learned so much about accepting her own challenges, accepting others' differences and being courageous. Thanks again!
It's so nice to see books about special needs kids. Anything that works toward helping children appreciate their peers for who they are is a wonderful step in the right direction. Thanks for your review Jan.
It sounds lovely and is an important subject. Thanks for sharing the review, Jan!
Thanks to everyone for the comments. Sorry I've been out of touch for a few days and haven't responded sooner.
Hello Ms. Janet Collins,
I am not sure whether or not you are the one who wrote the wodnerful story "Sings of Endearment," from a recently published book of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. The story, however, touched my heart and soothed my soul in a very positive way.
Best regards,
Hamza Balol
Saudi Arabia
Congratulations Lori on a "humanity" story that deserves great success. Thank you Janet for sharing.
Thank you, Liam and Hamza.
I was deeply impressed with the joy and happiness Brenda and Skunk brought into Julian's life and with the kindness and love you treated both of them with. Love is the most possible bridge to the silent world. It is the only thing that can bee seen by the blind, spoken by the dumb, and heard by the deaf. Isn't it? Brenda is not a deaf dog, she is the perfect dog who happens to be deaf.
Thanks.
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