Special People, Special Ways [Hardcover]

Arlene Maguire (Author), Sheila Lucas (Illustrator), Sheila Bailey (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Here is a beautiful picture book that encourages the youngest readers to think positively about people with disabilities. Written by Arlene Maguire in easy-to- understand rhyming quatrains, Special People, Special Ways suggests that everyone have something to contribute--to themselves, and to the world. Coupled with Sheila Bailey's rich illustrations, the gentle message of this important new book has been well received by parents, teachers, and librarians. Though meant for an able audience, Special People, Special Ways has therapeutic value for the disabled as well. Truly a book that brings out tolerance and understanding in young people.

Through a special arrangement with Special Olympics, Special People, Special Ways carries a handsome silver seal on its dust jacket, bearing the logo of Special Olympics. Ten per cent of the net proceeds of the sale of Special People, Special Ways are donated to help sponsor this worthy organization.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2-Maguire's attempt to generate sympathy and understanding for physically and mentally challenged individuals fails. In stilted verse, the author details various disabilities and emphasizes that "special" people need love and acceptance, too. The wording and rhymes in the text are often awkward: "Creams flow from small tubes/To soothe where it aches,/And many seek cures/For jitters and shakes." By portraying children with every imaginable handicap or infirmity including blindness, deafness, myopia, paralysis, and obesity, Bailey has diminished the effectiveness of the message. The chubby cartoon characters with oversized heads and plastered-on smiles are irritating rather than endearing. While the message is a worthy one, the delivery is unsuccessful on every level.
Esther C. Ball, Carver Elementary School, Newport News, VA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Special People, Special Ways presents a positive image of persons with disabilities. It shares the message that even though each of us may have something different about us, we share many commonalties. Coupled with the colorful illustrations, the book conveys the message that although painful at times, being different can also be glorious. -- Gerald J. Hime, Past President, Council for Exceptional Children

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Portunus Pub Co (March 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 188644000X
• ISBN-13: 978-1886440005
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 8.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,860,249 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for ALL children!, May 3, 2000

By 

JKH "Selective TV Viewer" (Northern California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Special People, Special Ways (Hardcover)

This book has beautiful words and illustrations that are important for all children to hear. It sends the message that all kids are unique and special in their own way. I purchased this for my children so that they could see how disabilities affect people, but do not make them "different." This book teaches children in a fun way, with wonderful illustrations and truly thoughtful, rhyming text! I highly recommend this to all parents and children.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Teaching respect for self and those with disabilities, March 27, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Special People, Special Ways (Hardcover)

This fun-to-read, beautifully illustrated rhyming book talks about children with disabilities in a positive way. It helps kids understand that they are all special, no matter what physical limitations they may have. It teaches ALL children respect for others, including those that look different. This is the only full-color picture book I could find on disabilities.

18 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Super book, April 22, 2002

By 

"cakemaker" (Cambridge, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Special People, Special Ways (Hardcover)

... [Another reviewer] assumed that only commonalities link people and they couldn't be more wrong about the author's intent. I happen to know the author and she is all about acceptance with or without commonalities. This book was written for little children. To help children understand, sometimes a common theme is needed in order to get the point across. However, Mrs. Maguire is about accepting people NO MATTER WHO THEY ARE AND NO MATTER WHAT IT IS THAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT THEM. This book is about kindness and seeing that just because we see people as different than we are, we are all unique and special individuals making up this planet. I'm sorry [another reviewer] did not see the reality of this book in the way it was intended.