Rescued by a Cow and a Squeeze: Temple Grandin [Paperback]

Mary W. Carpenter (Author)

Book Description

Temple Grandin was diagnosed with autism and suffered severe learning disabilities as a child. Bright lights and strong smells bothered her, and background noises other people couldn’t even hear boomed inside her head. She first encountered cows on a trip to a cattle ranch when she was a teenager and realized that they experience the world in many of the same ways that she did—and were bothered by the same kinds of sights and sounds she was. She determined to find a way to ease their stress. Combining her remarkable ability to create building designs inside her head and her cow’s eye view of the world, Temple became the foremost designer of humane animal facilities in the U.S. She persuaded fast food chains like McDonald’s to adopt her standards for the humane treatment of animals and spurred a revolution in the American meat industry. Temple Grandin’s life was documented in a PBS documentary entitled “Stairway to Heaven” and by Oliver Sacks in his essay “An Anthropologist on Mars.” In Rescued by a Cow and a Squeeze, Medical Reporter Mary Carpenter brings Temple’s remarkable achievements to children and young adults for the first time.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An unusual and compelling story ... [that] captures the vital spirit of resilient individuals. I would certainly recommend this book." -- Mel Levine, M.D., author of "A Mind at a Time"

From the Author

When he was 7, my son, Oliver, who has learning disabilities, became fascinated with the story of Temple Grandin, especially that she communicated better with cows than with people and that she had invented a "squeeze machine" for people -- because intense pressure can be calming for children with learning disabilities. Oliver helped with the book and also drew the cover.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 47 pages
• Publisher: PublishAmerica (February 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591298806
• ISBN-13: 978-1591298809
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #859,918 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars thumbs up from Katonah, April 17, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Rescued by a Cow and a Squeeze: Temple Grandin (Paperback)

Mary Carpenter's fascinating account of Temple Grandin's early life may be intended for children with learning disabilities. But it will make absorbing reading for all children. Every child will have experienced some of the discomfort of Temple's childhood, a childhood which Carpenter brings to life with vivid details. And what child could fail to be moved by the story of how Temple's personal antidote to autism, the squeeze machine, has improved the lives of the nation's millions of cows.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A gem of a book, December 6, 2009

By 

story spinner (ashland, or) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rescued by a Cow and a Squeeze: Temple Grandin (Paperback)

Temple Grandin became a famous engineer, inventor, and cow whisperer, both despite and because of her autism. In RESCUED BY A COW AND A SQUEEZE, Mary Carpenter tells the story of her unique life through stunning anecdote and lucid prose. This book offers a riveting introduction to biography for the young reader--reassuring and encouraging to kids who may themselves be challenged by a learning disability; consciousness-raising and empathy-building for the kids who are not. Meanwhile, any parent or teacher who has the opportunity to read RESCUED BY A COW AND A SQUEEZE will be charmed and amazed as well as informed, finishing the book thinking, "Who would ever have thought?!"

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More than a children's book, December 23, 2010

By 

Jane Doe "a reader" (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Rescued by a Cow and a Squeeze: Temple Grandin (Paperback)

Mary Carpenter has written a book for children, but adults will find it equally fascinating. Temple Grandin's struggles are nearly incomprehensible, but her success is amazing on many levels. Hers is a celebration of what makes us unique. Her life illustrates that intelligence is not a straight line, not an IQ test, not acceptable versus unacceptable. Her brilliance is unique, as most who are outstandingly brilliant are unique. Carpenter's science background brings a solid depth to this book. It's a beautiful story told with grace and wonderful details.