Trevor Trevor [Paperback]

Diane, Ph.D. Twachtman-Cullen (Author), Deidre Sassano (Author), Diane Twachtman-Cullen (Author)

Book Description

Diane Twachtman-Cullen uses metaphor to tell the story of Trevor, a primary school aged child whose problems with social relationships suggest a form of autism. Unfortunately, like so many children with social interaction problems, it is not Trevor's strengths that his classmates notice, but rather his differences. Change comes through the efforts of a caring and sensitive teacher Metaphor, as it is explained in the preface, is a type of storytelling pioneered by Milton H Erickson that concentrates on indirect or symbolic communication in order to transfer the message or meaning of the story in a lasting and powerful manner.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Trevor Trevor...is a wonderful tool for teachers, psychologists and counselors... -- Autism Advocacy; Autism Society of America, Greater Tarrant County Chapter, October 1999

About the Author

Diane Twachtman-Cullen, Ph.D CCC-SLP is the executive director of the Autism & Developmental Disabilities Consultation Centre in Cromwell, Conneticut.

Product Details

• Paperback: 41 pages
• Publisher: Starfish Specialty Pr (December 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966652908
• ISBN-13: 978-0966652901
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 8.5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,386,742 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Better Better to Shorten Shorten Trevor Trevor, February 11, 2001

By 

Therese Baldwin (Virginia Beach, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Trevor Trevor (Paperback)

This is a nicely-designed and well-put together quality paperback book, in a style that's suitable for use in the classroom. The publisher (Starfish Press) has done a beautiful job. The author has done a beautiful job, as well, by providing a readable, youth-directed story -- which itself, takes place in a school ("Forest County Elementary"), among a class of second-graders and their sensitive, caring teacher. The protagonist child, Trevor("Trevor," is a methaphor for children)is different from his classmates, and, as suggested by the author in the book's Preface, has an autistic-spectrum (or similar) disorder. The child in the story, however, can be ANY child that has trouble "fitting in," with his/her peers, (not just a child with autism or PDD)as is the author's intent. As the story progresses, it provides various illuminating scenarios and descriptions of some of Trevor's social problems and differences, as encountered in the classroom setting. In the end, the story (and Trevor) celebrates Trevor's differences, and his classmates see him in a different, positive light. He is proclaimed the classroom "hero" for having won the class it's "Puzzlemania" competition with another competing school. Thus, Trevor's strengths are emphasized, and his peculiarities diminished. As this is a book designed to be read to children by adults, I found the story to be too lengthy. The story itself spans 33 pages, which I believe would be rather unwieldy for any teacher to present to a young elementary-school class at one sitting. The story and audience are better served if "Trevor, Trevor" is read in two or three sittings (unless, perhaps, the teacher-storyteller chose to abbreviate portions of the story prior to reading it aloud, while exercising care to not dilute or significantly change content or meaning). This selection lends itself well to class discussion and analysis. This book could also be used as a "take off" for a social skills group, or perhaps incorporated in materials used by speech/lanugage-/communication pathologists in the school setting. I believe this book is very worthwhile to read and to use in the classroom setting. It could greatly benefit the children to whom it is read -- school populations of regular and "included" students. Additionally, the two, sturdy cardboard "paperdolls" of Trevor (one with happy expression, the other with sad expression), provided at the back of the book, can be used to further illustrate and emphasize key points. Again, the story's major (really, ONLY) setback is it's long length, as it is intended to be read aloud to an elementary school class. My 7-yr-old son has Asperger's Syndrome and ADHD, and I bought this book to share with his school class, guidance counselor, and parent resource center.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Trevor Trevor, June 30, 2000

By 

Mary Ann Humphry (Poplar Grove, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Trevor Trevor (Paperback)

I thought the author did a very nice job showing Trevor's Autism without labeling him. My son has Asperger Syndrome and I bought this book for his teacher to read to his class. I'm hoping it helps the other children to understand my son better. How ever I felt the book was a little long for the younger grades.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My first graders loved this book...Highly recommended!, July 29, 2003

By 

A Teacher (Connecticut USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Trevor Trevor (Paperback)

This is a great book to teach children about understanding differences! I read this book to my first grade class which included a boy with high functioning Asperger's Syndrome and they loved it! At the end of the book they all cheered as Trevor, who is bullied early on in the story, ends up as the hero. After reading this book to the class I asked them to draw and write about what they thought the message was of the story. Almost every child wrote about the importance of understanding and accepting differences. I was amazed by their response and how clearly the message had gotten through.