Let's Talk about It: Extraordinary Friends [Paperback]

Fred Rogers (Author), Jim Judkis (Photographer)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: Let's Talk about It

How do you get to know someone in a wheelchair? Is it okay to ask questions when you see someone who is different from you?

Written for the child without special needs--the child with the questions--this book opens up a difficult subject to discussion. Mister Rogers challenges the stereotypes that often plague children with special needs and celebrates six children who are extraordinary friends. Share this book with all children--to spark communication, to attack the stigma, to bridge the gap between children with different abilities. Mister Rogers is the perfect person to write a book like this, with respect and the same gentleness that has characterized his television show for decades. "Rogers offers caring support and validation...Books that offer such honest reassurance are rare."-- Publishers Weekly

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3-Rogers deals with the concerns, questions, and confusion children may have about people with special needs. He begins by describing common feelings they experience when they meet someone with a disability, such as curiosity, fear, or surprise. Readers are reassured that these reactions are normal and that getting to know individuals is the best way to understand and appreciate them. Although the author repeats some of the same advice found in his Adoption (1995), Divorce (1996) and Stepfamilies (1997, all Putnam)-for example, how helpful it is for children to talk to grown-ups about their feelings-this book also offers gentle suggestions for becoming friends with "extraordinary" people. Bright, colorful photographs depict six children with special needs in various situations. The first page introduces them and some of the things they like. Although the large-print text is easy to read, the book is best shared aloud as discussion is bound to follow.
Christine Lindsey, Lake Superior Primary School, Ashland, WI
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

The latest in the Let's Talk about It series takes an honest, clear look at an issue that children often find intimidating and scary--disabilities. Children who use wheelchairs, communicate via computer screens, and have less-visible disabilities go about their daily routines with other children in brightly lit, color-saturated photographs. The well-known Rogers states simply that all people want to love and be loved and that people are alike even if they don't "walk or talk or learn the same way you do." He encourages children to ask questions and to start a conversation the way you would with anyone, by saying "Hi" and giving your name. He reminds children that sometimes people may not want help, so you should ask first, and that friends can tell each other even hard things, like "I don't like when you do that." Disabled adults figure in the pictures, too, including a storytime librarian who uses a wheelchair. Recommended for all collections. GraceAnne A. DeCandido --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (January 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0698118618
• ISBN-13: 978-0698118614
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #515,152 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #94 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Social Issues > Special Needs > Fiction

More About the Author

Fred Rogers: March 20, 1928 - February 27, 2003

Producer, magician, writer, puppeteer, minister, husband, father, Fred Rogers started out in children's television thirty years ago. The direction he trailblazed was the "creation of television programming that spoke, with respect, to the concerns of early childhood, not as adults see it but as children feel it." He has received virtually every major award in the television industry for work in his field, and dozens of others from special-interest groups. Fred Rogers lived in Pennsylvania.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Let's talk about it: Extraordinary friends, April 22, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Let's Talk about It: Extraordinary Friends (Paperback)

I ordered this book for my sister, who's 2 year old son has cerebral palsy. My idea was that she could place it in her local day care center that my nephew attends so that the other kids could have some of their questions answered about kids with special needs. This book really fit the bill..it is clear and concise, and seemed to address lots of questions that I have heard other children asking. Other than just seeing that something is "wrong" or different, maybe after reading the book they will realize that diversity is a part of life and that people with special needs can be just as fun and interesting as everyone else! The book really helped put into words what I would like kids to know about meeting and interacting with kids with disabilites. I also ordered "Someone special just like you", but found the Extraordinary friends book to be a much better choice for my particular needs.

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book for children, July 22, 2011

By 

DarciLu182 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Let's Talk about It: Extraordinary Friends (Paperback)

This book is gentle reminder to children that no matter what peoples' differences or disabilities are, they still need friends and treated like we would want to be treated. It addresses typical questions a child might have when seeing a person with special needs, such as "Why is he like that?" "What happened to him?" and "How does he eat or get dressed?" Children are curious and want to know why someone looks different than them, and this book addresses that with suggesting to ask an adult or teacher when having such a question.

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome book for the classroom!, November 29, 2007

By 

C. Duckworth "dukwrthc" (Iowa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Let's Talk about It: Extraordinary Friends (Paperback)

This book provides an up front look at how to help children deal with meeting someone who is differently abled. It is worded so young children
in preschool can understand what they should or could do if they meet
someone who is different from them. The pictures provide an additional learning tool to discuss how the children are feeling on each page. Overall I think this book is a 5 star book and could be used just about
anywhere!!
Carla