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Books and Resources

Fox Valley Sibling Support Network Resource Library
(made possible by a grant from the Ameritech Pioneers)

Annotated Bibliography

If you would like to borrow an item from our library for 2 weeks, email  FVSSN

 Books

 Title:                       Andy and His Yellow Frisbee
Author:                  Mary Thompson
Publisher:              Woodbine House, c.1996
Notes:                    The new girl at school tries to befriend Andy, a boy with autism who spends every recess by himself, spinning a yellow frisbee under the watchful eye of his older sister.          

Title:                       Ben, King of the River
Author:                  David Gifaldi
Publisher:              Albert Whitman & Company, c.2001
Notes:                    Chad experiences a range of emotions when he goes camping with his parents and his five-year-old mentally disabled brother Ben, who has many developmental problems. 

Title:                 Ian’s Walk:  A Story About Autism
Author:                  Laurie Lears
Publisher:              Albert Whitman & Company, c.1998
Notes:                    A young girl realizes how much she cares about her brother who has autism when he gets lost at the park. 

Title:                  It Isn’t Fair!  Siblings of Children with Disabilities
Author:              Edited by Stanley D. Klein & Maxwell J. Schleifer
Publisher:           Bergin and Garvey, c.1993
Notes:               This book is divided into five parts.  In Part I, an interview with college students is followed by an article by Meyer Schreiber, one of the first professionals to write and speak about the needs of siblings.  In Part II, there are eight articles by parents and on a team of professionals.  In Part III, there are seven articles written by siblings reflecting on their experiences.  A series of case studies highlighting sibling relationships follows Part IV.  The book concludes with Part V and a series of brief articles written by children. 

Title:                       Joey and Sam
Authors:                 Illana Katz and Edward Ritvo, M.D.
Publisher:              Real Life Storybooks, c.1993
Notes:                    Although it is sometimes hard to have a younger brother like Sam who is autistic, Joey is proud when Sam’s special class performs at a school assembly. 

Title:                    Our Brother Has Down’s Syndrome:  An Introduction for Children
Author:                Shelley Cairo
Publisher:              Annick Press, c. 1985
Notes:                  Tara and Jasmine tell about how their little brother, Jai, who has Down syndrome is  “a little different (we all have different things about us) but mostly is just like the rest of us.”  Large color photographs and a sensitive text describe their special brother and their family life.  A clear explanation of Down syndrome is included. 

Title:                Riding the Bus with My Sister
Author:            Rachel Simon
Publisher:        First Plume Publishing, c. 2003
Notes:            A true story about a the author and her spirited sister who has cognitive disabilities and spends nearly every day riding the busses in her Pennsylvania city.  The story tells how riding the bus with her sister for one year changes the author's life forever.

Title:                    Russell is Extra Special:  A Book About Autism for Children
Author:                  Charles A. Amenta III, M.C.
Publisher:              Magination Press, c. 1992
Notes:                    Explaining autism to children can be a difficult task.  This heart-warming portrayal of an autistic boy and his family will help children and their parents understand this serious developmental disorder.  An introduction for parents and a list of resources supply further information.  In addition, as they enjoy and identify with the family photographs so similar to their own, children will develop greater sympathy for those who may bedifferent from themselves.  

Title:                       Siblings of Children with Autism:  A Guide for Families
Author:                  Sandra L. Harris, Ph.D.
Publisher:              Woodbine House, c.1994
Notes:                    Siblings of Children with Autism is an invaluable guide to understanding sibling relationships, how autism affects these relationships, and what families can do to support their other children as they cope with the intensive needs of a child with autism.  Harris offers compassionate and authoritative advice and strategies for dealing with specific issues that are often troublesome for siblings.  She also teaches parents how to improve communication in the family, balance personal and family time, and foster interaction between children with autism and their brothers and sisters.

 Title:                       Siblings Without Rivalry:  How to Help Your Children Live Together So You Can Live Too
Authors:                   Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish
Publisher:              Avon Books, c.1987
Notes:                    Siblings Without Rivalry guides the way to peace and tranquility with humor, compassion                              and understanding, and the illustrated, action-oriented, easy-to-understand stories will make life easier for both siblings and their parents.  

Title:                       Sisters, Brothers, and Disability:  A Family Album
Author:                  Lydia Gans
Publisher:              Fairview Press, c.1997
Notes:                    The stories of 26 families raising children with special needs at home.  Includes 142 photographs that show compassion, patience, and matter-of-factness sisters and brothers share as they deal with the challenges of living with differently-abled siblings. 

Title:                       Special Siblings:  Growing Up with Someone with a Disability
Author:                  Mary McHugh
Publisher:              Hyperion, c.1999
Notes:                  The real life story of a woman who raised her disabled brother after their mother’s death. Her insights into the positive impact that her brother had on her life and development are simply inspirational.

Title:                       Views From Our Shoes:  Growing Up with a Brother or Sister with Special Needs
Author:                  Edited by Donald Meyer, director of the Sibling Support Project,
Publisher:              Woodbine House, c.1997
Notes:                    A book for children by children who share their experience as the brother or sister of someone with special needs.  The good and bad aspects, as well as many thoughtful observations.  May be useful to educators to supplement their inclusion programs.

Title;        What About Me?  When Brothers and Sisters Get Sick

Author:                  Allan Peterkin, M.D.

Publisher:              Magination Press, c.1992

Notes:                    Laura experiences conflicting emotions when her brother becomes seriously ill.  Includes suggestions for parents to help their well children cope with a chronically ill sibling.

Videos 

Title:                       Straight Talk About Autism:  Childhood Issues (41 minutes)
Title:                       Straight Talk About Autism:  Adolescent Issues (38 minutes)
Producer:               Attainment Production, c.1999
Notes:                    Two video tapes that present a complicated disorder in a very matter-of-fact manner.They deal with childhood, adolescent, and parenting issues from schooling to sibling relationships.

 

Book Review: Riding the Bus with My Sister
by Barb Arndt

 


(c) copyright 2005
Fox Valley Sibling Support Network
All rights reserved

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