Books for Children with CP
 

Ceana has CP, by C Fran Card, Illustrated by Violet Freeland
ISBN:
Pub Date:  2006
Recommended age range:  3 - 7 years
This picture book was written and illustrated by local mid-Michigan writer C Fran Card and illustrator Violet Freeland. 

Featured on the UCP-MI website with this introduction:  "Ceana ~ A little girl with a big smile who loves to chase her grandma's hairless cats. Can she catch them? Read the book and see. Your child or students will love this, fun easy to understand story. Written for ages 3 -7, Ceana Has CP is a book children will love. It will teach them about disabilities of all kinds in a loving and fun way."
 

He's My Pony! by Jeanne Betancourt, Paul Bachem (Illustrator)
ISBN: 0439216419 Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.
Pub. Date: August 2001
Recommend Age Range: 7 to 10

From the Publisher
Anna feels jealous when her neighbor's niece, Christine, arrives for a visit. Christine loves ponies, but she hasn't had a chance to ride because of her cerebral palsy. The Pony pals convince her to try lessons, but she is terrified of every horse, except Anna's Acorn. Soon Christine and Acorn develop a special bond, and Anna feels threatened.

Living with Cerebral Palsy, Vol. 3, by Paul Pimm
ISBN: 0817257446, Publisher: Raintree Publishers
Pub. Date: January 1999
Recommend Age Range: 6 to 10

Describes the varying effects of cerebral palsy, how different people manage to live with this condition, and where to get more information.

From the Critics
From Science Book & Fiction  
The fact that there is currently no cure for cerebral palsy is recognized by neurologists today. Yet the pace of research would seem to hold out hope for a greater variety of advanced treatments in the near future. Pimm is a psychologist with an organization that assists people with cerebral palsy. Although the approach is similar to other titles in this series, whereby different forms of the disability are described among different young people, the book conveys a strong sense of individuals finding it difficult at first to cope with the limitations of the condition and accept the recommended therapies. An important section is given over to telling how each person adapts to his or her particular handicap and seeks certain kinds of friends and situations. Young readers will become aware that those affected by cerebral palsy have many of the same desires to be liked, to learn, and to have fun as they themselves have. Different forms may affect people differently, but the author tells a convincing story of how the human spirit, connected to a helping spirit, can do common things in an uncommon way. Whoever is friends with a person with cerebral palsy will respect that person even more after this encounter with a sensitive author. (from the Living with Series.) Highly Recommended, Grades 5-6. REVIEWER: Dr. Bob Deufel (Deufel & Associates)

Taking Cerebral Palsy to School, by Mary Elizabeth, Elizabeth Anderson,

Tom Dineen (Illustrator)

ISBN: 1891383086
Publisher: JayJo Books, L L C
Pub. Date: September 2000

Recommended Age Range: 5 to 10

Synopsis
Even though Chad has cerebral palsy, he can still attend school and do many of the same things as his classmates. Written from Chad's perspective, this book answers many of the questions his classmates have but may be too scared or uncomfortable to ask. Children, teachers, school nurses, parents, and caregivers will learn about what cerebral palsy is, the different kinds of cerebral palsy, and special equipment that is available to help kids with cerebral palsy. This book also includes an experiment that allows children without cerebral palsy to experience what the condition may feel like.

I'm the Big Sister Now, by Michelle Emmert, Gail Owens (Illustrator)

ISBN: 0807534587
Publisher: Albert Whitman
Pub. Date: December  1991
Recommend Age Range: 8 to 10

Synopsis
"Michelle Emmert is the younger sister of Amy, who is severely handicapped with cerebral palsy. Michelle explains what it is like living with someone who 'cannot sit up, use her hands, walk, talk, read, write, or do anything a normal child can do.' . . . Grades three to five." (Booklist)

Annotation
Nine-year-old Michelle describes the joys, loving times, difficulties, and other special situations involved in living with her older sister Amy Emmert, who was born severely disabled with cerebral palsy.

Howie Helps Himself, by Joan Fassler, Joe Lasker (Illustrator)

ISBN: 0807534226
Publisher: Albert Whitman
Pub. Date: December  1991
Recommend Age Range: 4 to 8

Annotation
Though he enjoys life with his family and attends school, Howie, a child with cerebral palsy, wants more than anything else to be able to move his wheelchair by himself.

Imagine Me on a Sit-Ski! by George Moran, Christy Grant (Editor), Nadine Bernard Westcott (Illustrator)

ISBN: 0807536180
Publisher: Albert Whitman
Pub. Date: September  1994
Recommend Age Range: 7 to 10

A child who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair describes learning to ski with adaptive equipment.

From the Critics
From School Library Journal  
Gr 2-4-Billy, who has cerebral palsy, uses a wordboard for communication and is in a class with other wheelchair-mobile children. When his teachers tell them that they are taking the youngsters skiing, he is excited but apprehensive, and readers are sure to share his initial fear of the unknown. Unfortunately, the text is stiff, because Moran inserts lots of information about handicaps, accessibility, skiing, and sit-ski techniques into the story. However, Westcott's watercolor-and-ink illustrations enhance the presentation. This title will be of special interest to those who live in ski country, where the physically challenged participate in programs similar to the one featured. Libraries may want to purchase this book for all the good that it accomplishes and hope for a better treatment of the subject in the future.-Gale W. Sherman, Pocatello Public Library, ID
 
From Lauren Peterson - BookList  
Billy, who uses a wheelchair, never imagined himself able to ski, so he's very excited when he discovers that he and his disabled classmates are going to have a chance to learn. He describes his experiences at Snow Valley, where disabled people are able to use adaptive equipment and are helped by specially trained instructors. Some of Billy's classmates use such devices as crutches on skis; Billy uses a sit-ski. His detailed narrative describes how the equipment works as well as his adventures on the slopes. The accompanying watercolor illustrations are lively and colorful and will be helpful for introducing readers to specialized ski equipment. A book that will inspire as well as promote understanding and awareness.
 

Patrick and Emma Lou, by Nan Holcomb, Dot Yoder (Illustrator)

ISBN: 094472714X
Publisher: Jason & Nordic Publishers
Pub. Date: January  1992
Recommend Age Range: 5 to 8

Synopsis
Patrick, who has cerebal palsy, and Emma Lou, who has spina bifida, encourage each other as they learn to use their walkers. Patrick's dream of walking like other children makes this an excellent story for classmates of children with disabilities to grow in understanding. It is also encouraging reading for the child who is beginning with a walker.

Annotation
Despite his excitement over walking with a new walker, three-year-old Patrick finds it isn't easy and becomes discouraged until his new friend, six-year-old Emma Lou who has spina bifida, helps him

 

From School Library Journal  
PreS-Gr 3-- Three-year-old Patrick and six-year-old Emma Lou both have physical disabilities that keep them from walking normally. This simple story centers around Patrick's first steps with his brand new walker. He keeps bumping into things and down he goes--once tangled in a heap with Emma Lou. Sometimes he wonders why they can't be like other kids who walk easily, but then, as Emma Lou says, ``Because you're just you, Patrick and I'm just me.'' The book presents likable children in real situations. Avoiding the stereotypical characterization of disabled children as brave or pitiful, it allows readers both to groan and to laugh with Patrick as his bottom keeps hitting the floor. Yoder's simple, black-white-and-red line drawings help build empathy with the characters and events of the story. This book should be useful both for physically disabled children who will, at last, have early childhood reading that shows real kids like themselves, and for able-bodied youngsters in mainstream situations. --Constance A. Mellon, Department of Library & Information Studies, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC

Arnie and the New Kid. Nancy Carlson,

Can't You Be Still? Sarah Yates & Darlene Toews,

Easy for You to Say: Q & As for Teens Living with Chronic Illness or Disability. Miriam Kaufman,

Living with a Brother or Sister with Special Needs: a Book for Sibs. Donald Meyer & Patricia Vadasy,

Mama Zooms. Jane Cowen Fletcher,

Nobody Knows. Sarah Yates & Darlene Toews,

Princess  Pooh. Kathleen Muldoon,

Sara’s Secret. Suzanne Wanous, (Sara’s five year-old brother has CP/MR)

Views from Our Shoes: Growing Up with a Brother or Sister with Special Needs. Donald Meyer (ed),

"Taking Cerebral Palsy to School"  Mary Elizabeth Anderson has written a fabulous book especially for children who have cerebral palsy. This enchanting book is written through the eyes of a child who has cp.