Listen for the Bus: David's Story [Hardcover]

Patricia McMahon (Author), John Godt (Illustrator, Photographer)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

A young blind boy, David sets off for his first day of kindergarten at the public school in Concord, Massachusetts, enjoying a busy day as he rides the school bus, learns to maneuver through the hallways and classrooms, and makes friends with the other students.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 6-David, a kindergartener, is blind and somewhat hearing-disabled. McMahon explores his daily activities: what he likes most; how he copes with his disabilities; and how his parents, teachers, and friends support him. Her style and tone are straightforward and conversational, explaining clearly the unique problems he must face, yet presenting him as a child who can enjoy life. Full-color photographs of various sizes show David participating in school, swinging, horseback riding, hammering, etc. The arrangement of illustrations and text is well balanced and varied. Although there are other good books about blindness, such as Miriam Cohen's See You Tomorrow, Charles (Greenwillow, 1983; o.p.), which emphasizes the classmates' reaction to a mainstreamed first grader; Patricia MacLachlan's Through Grandpa's Eyes (HarperCollins, 1971), which emphasizes coping strategies; and Bill Martin's Knots on a Counting Rope (Holt, 1987), which emphasizes achievement possibilities; McMahon's title gives readers an exceptional feeling of identification with the blind child. Their understanding of this disability is deepened, and their uneasiness about someone "different" is allayed by the sympathetic, but never pitying, presentation. Although it is directed to kindergarten and primary grades, older children can learn much from this book.
Patricia Pearl Dole, formerly at First Presbyterian School, Martinsville, VA
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 5^-9. The noisy rumble of the approaching school bus; the pliable, sweet-smelling clay; the welcome interactions of playtime are among David's favorite things about kindergarten. Outside school, the youngster loves the wet kisses of his neighbor's dog, relishes swinging high and fast, and thrills to the roar and vibration of a train pulling into the station. Through the book's direct text and abundant, spontaneous photos, readers are alerted to the many things David can do while they are sensitized to his inability to see and difficulty in hearing. David's blindness is never treated as a disability; rather, readers learn the special accommodations made in school to include David in classroom activities. At the same time, David's classmates learn braille and signs for the new vocabulary they all acquire. David's instruction is not limited to classroom learning; he is encouraged to perceive the world around him and to build on those perceptions wherever he is, and he is seen doing just that while grocery shopping, horseback riding, or simply strolling down the front walk. Childlike crayon sketches and photo outlines scattered throughout the attractively designed book inject color while whimsically underlining the universality of all children's experiences. Ellen Mandel

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Boyds Mills Press; 1st edition (September 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563973685
• ISBN-13: 978-1563973680
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 9.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.4 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,457,002 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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