Tiny Titan (Mom's Choice Awards Recipient) [Paperback]

Ann Yurcek (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 20, 2006

A new kind of MotherÂ’s Day story for all the countless mothers in America who dedicate their lives to exceptional children with special medical and mental health care needs. The story and the children are real.

In 1989, the Yurceks sixth child, Becca was born with a rare genetic disorder, and while she struggled to survive, her family tumbled into poverty. This is the true and inspirational story of their journey out of poverty and the many miracles they received along the way.

In the spirit of giving back, they adopted and reunited five siblings separated in foster care. And for their new children they fought for resources in mental health and child welfare with the same tenacity they had fought for Becca in the medical world. OtherÂ’s said their journey was impossible, but they proved them wrong.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I am reading Tiny Titan tonight. I could not stop even while eating dinner. I am captured by this story." -- Cathy Buer-Thompson, Hennepin County Adoption, April 28, 2006

"Thank you for your courage, through it's path may others find hope for their exceptional children." -- Jodee Kulp, Executive Director, Better Endings New Beginnings, April 23, 2006

"Yurcek challenges the existing mindset of people without disabilities who make decisions ‘for us not with us.’" --Susan Rose, President of the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Support Network of New York City & L.I,, May 1, 2006

Tiny Titan by Ann Yurcek is a recipient of the prestigious Mom's Choice Award. The Mom's Choice Awards honors excellence in family-friendly media, products and services. An esteemed panel of judges includes education, media and other experts as well as parents, children, librarians, performing artists, producers, medical and business professionals, authors, scientists and others. A sampling of the panel members includes: Dr. Twila C. Liggett, Ten-time Emmy-winner, professor and founder of Reading Rainbow; Julie Aigner-Clark, Creator of Baby Einstein and The Safe Side Project; Jodee Blanco, New York Times Best-Selling Author; LeAnn Thieman, Motivational speaker and coauthor of seven Chicken Soup For The Soul books; Tara Paterson, Certified Parent Coach, and founder of the Mom's Choice Awards. Parents and educators look for the Mom s Choice Awards seal in selecting quality materials and products for children and families. This book/product has been honored by this distinguished award. --Mom's Choice Awards

About the Author

Ann Yurcek begins her story as "just" a mom living her dream of having a large family. Through adversity we watch Ann, her husband, and her children become wiser and stronger. YurcekÂ’s gift to us is to share her insights so that we, too, have the opportunity to gain wisdom, to become more deeply spiritual, and to make a difference. Through the pages of her familyÂ’s journey we watch Ann transform into a warrior mother and then an expert mom, battling and changing broken systems with more disabilities than her exceptional children.

Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Better Endings New Beginnings (May 20, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0963707272
• ISBN-13: 978-0963707277
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,096,643 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Most Amazing Book You Will Read All Year!, June 20, 2006

By 

Kelly Mayr "Kelly m" (Highlands Ranch,CO USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tiny Titan (Mom's Choice Awards Recipient) (Paperback)

If you are going to read only one book this year, this is the book to read! Tiny Titan chronicles the journey of the Yurcek family. It goes through Becca's medical struggles with Noonan syndrome and how that changes a family. It is an inspiring look into a regular family thrust into extraordinary circumstances. Instead of getting bogged down by the overwhelming issues they face, they triumph! This book makes you laugh, cry and best of all want to be a better person!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A "must read", March 29, 2007

By 

Jeanette H. Piccirelli (Grosse Pointe Woods, MI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tiny Titan (Mom's Choice Awards Recipient) (Paperback)

Almost unreal perseverance by the mother of this Tiny Titan! This book should be read by every social worker and Department of Health employee in every state. The failure of the "system," whether from lack of training, lack of funds or just plain lack of caring, is often devastating to families and disabled persons. Fortunately, our family also had the help of the Yurcek's "guardian angel," seemingly the only person who knew the what, when and especially how of getting help for our adult disabled son. Too often families don't have the perseverance of Ann Yurcek and lose hope while going through the endless loops of the health system, leaving the disabled person much less than what he or she could be.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational, July 12, 2006

By 

Jennifer Manogue (Minneapolis, MN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tiny Titan (Mom's Choice Awards Recipient) (Paperback)

Instead of reading the most recent fiction novel to fill your spare time with unbelievable characters, plot twists and outrageous emotions, read this novel that will provide you with the same feelings with one twist, it is true. I did not know what to expect from this book, but what I was given was amazing. I have never felt more attached to a story and the people that told it. With each turn of the page, I realized how inspirational it was. The obstacles that the Yurcek family faced are obstacles I could not begin to understand, and their ability to overcome made me realize how truly strong people can be. I would recommend this book to anyone, and in fact it has already been passed through my circle of friends. If you are facing hardship or would just like to be inspired by truth and strength of spirit, Tiny Titan is a wonderful choice.