Rolling Along: The Story of Taylor and His Wheelchair [Hardcover]

Jamee Riggio Heelan (Author), Nicola Simmonds (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up | Series: Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago Learning Books

Taylor and Tyler are twin brothers and best friends. But the twins are different in one significant way: Taylor has cerebral palsy, while Tyler does not. Through Taylor's eyes we see how much effort he must expend to strengthen his legs, which are weak. He explains how valuable his new wheelchair is because it helps him maneuver more easily and do the things he want to do, like go to school and play basketball with his brother Tyler.

This full-color picture book series from the nation's leading rehabilitation center will explain to readers ages 6 and up the needs of children with disabilities. The Learning Books offer valuable insight and inspiration for children with disabilities as well as for their family members and schoolmates. Each book is written from the viewpoint of a real child with a physical disability. The goal of each book is to see into the child's world, understand the physical challenge the child faces, and learn how an assistive device can empower the child to overcome the limitations posed by his or her disability.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-A glimpse into the life of a young boy with cerebral palsy. Taylor describes his condition, aspects of his daily activities at home and at school, and his desire for independence. While he has been trained to use a walker, he prefers a wheelchair as it enables him to go faster and not tire as quickly. The book also includes some discussion of his physical-therapy sessions. At times, Taylor's frustrations come through, as when the illustrator shows him in his wheelchair facing a rather high set of stairs. However, in the end, the message is that he enjoys the same activities as his twin (and other children). In her mixed-media illustrations, Simmonds has superimposed photographs of the individuals' faces onto drawings, creating an interesting collage effect. This title is better suited for younger children than Alden Carter's Stretching Ourselves (Albert Whitman, 2000).
Margaret C. Howell, West Springfield Elementary School, VA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, one of the top facilities of its kind in the nation, has joined with Peachtree Publishers to create the Learning Book series, which explains the needs of kids with disablities. Here, Madison, who was born without a left hand, takes readers through the process of being fitted for her prosthesis. Although the first-person voice is young, it's not really young enough to match the pictures of Madison, who appears to be a toddler. Despite that, this is extremely informative, and children will have no problem understanding how the myo-electric hand starts out as a plaster cast, how it is fitted and refitted, and how an occupational therapist teaches Madison to work the battery and use her new hand. The artwork--photographs mixed with hand-drawn images and computer-generated backgrounds--is exceedingly eye-catching, and when it comes to the actual process of making the prosthesis, the book uses very clear, step-by-step, easy-to-follow ink drawings. An attractive, informative offering. Ilene Cooper

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Peachtree Publishers; 1 edition (May 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 156145219X
• ISBN-13: 978-1561452194
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #271,994 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Teachers and Parents will love this book!, May 21, 2007

By 

H. Garner (Georgia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rolling Along: The Story of Taylor and His Wheelchair (Hardcover)

I am an elemenatry teacher and the parent of a child with cerebral palsy. I can honestly say that Rolling Along is the best book written for children about cerebral palsy/physical disabilities that I have seen so far! The language is engaging and child appropriate. The author does an excellent job of showing that children with disabilities are really just like children without disabilities....they just move differently. I was so impressed with this book that I donated a copy to my son's school library. I plan on donating another copy to his classroom and I will definitely use this book in my own classroom.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Positive and Engaging, November 27, 2005

By 

Library Gaga (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rolling Along: The Story of Taylor and His Wheelchair (Hardcover)

Have you ever wondered what goes on in the day of a wheelchair-using child? This book details all the triumphs and struggles of such a child. Taylor and Tyler are twins, but while Tyler can run, jump, and skip, Taylor has cerebral palsy and walks with a walker or uses the wheelchair. Readers can see how Taylor attends daily physical therapy sessions with Kathryn, a physical therapist, and how he colors, studies, and does other, ordinary activities with his brother. He even plays basketball in his wheelchair.

Tyler is helping Taylor learn to do wheelies with his wheelchair. Despite the daredevil connotation, wheelies are useful for getting up on curbs and other uneven spots.

Situations that hinder Taylor are those that unimpaired people probably don't notice: tall water fountains and sinks; small bathrooms; steps and stairs, and heavy doors. All public buildings after ADA are required to remedy these shortcomings (as far as I am aware), but of course, not every building is disabled accessible, even in 2005.

Illustrations are clever half drawings, half photographs. For example, photographed head and arms are joined by casually drawn bodies and props. This approach evokes more energy, perhaps, than mere photos of a boy in a wheelchair.

This engaging, positive view of cerebral palsy will have students saying, "Gee, I didn't know how much a disabled person can do."

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rolling Along, December 7, 2000

By 

Patricia Curatti, PT, PCS (Flushing, MI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rolling Along: The Story of Taylor and His Wheelchair (Hardcover)

This delightful child's book takes the mystery out of a child with a disability. It explains the need for a wheelchair and how beneficial using a wheelchair can be. Building accessibilty, social interaction and play are also well-represented. This book would be great to share with young elementary children although the illustrations are clear enough for younger children. A much needed text for families facing childhood disablement, classrooms who serve children with special needs,and pediatric therapy waiting rooms!