C'mon Papa: Dispatches From a Dad in the Dark by Ryan Knighton

Stars: *****

Knopf Canada, a division of Random House (2010)
Nonfiction: Memoir/Biography/Parenting
272 pages

Summary: C'mon Papa is Ryan Knighton's heartbreaking and hilarious voyage through the first year of fatherhood. Becoming a father is a stressful, daunting rite of passage to be sure, but for a blind father, the fears are unimaginably heightened. Ryan will have to find novel ways to adapt to nearly every aspect of parenting: the most basic skills are nearly impossible to contemplate, let alone master. And how will Ryan get to know this pre-verbal bundle of coos and burps when he can't see her smile, or look into her eyes for hints of the person to come? - from Random House

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be blind AND a parent? Wonder no longer. Ryan Knighton tells us the good, the bad and the ugly in his most recent memoir. The book switches from educational, to humourous, to breath holding moments, to sympathy inducing.

I learned about blindness in general as well as parenting while blind. I already knew that blind people keep things in their house in a certain spot so they can maneuver around but it never occurred to me that a blind person could have a job. (I apologize to all blind people who work.)

I think this is a much needed memoir that more people should read. Most of us don't really know what it's like to live with a special need let alone how to be a parent with a special need. Ryan Knighton is the perfect author as well, he tells a great story.

However he does include just a few swear words.  I am turned off my swear words and could have done without them but there were only a few so it was easy to just ignore them and continue reading.

Links of Interest: Ryan Knighton, Ryan Knighton on Twitter,

Other Reviews: NONE YET

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Frankie The Walk 'N Roll Dog & Frankie The Walk 'n Roll Therapy Dog Visits Libby's House by Barbara Gail Techel

Stars: ****

Joyful Paw Prints (2008)


Summary: A true, inspirational story about a dachshund whose life started out just like any other dog walking on all four paws until a spinal injury leaves her paralyzed. Frankie is custom-fitted for a wheelchair and learns to keep on rolling. Her zest for life will have you cheering and she will give you hope that all things are possible. Frankie will leave an everlasting and loving paw print on your heart. A book for all ages to teach overcoming challenges and also compassion for the physically challenged. - from Joyful Paws

Stars: ****

Joyful Paw Prints (2010)

Summary: Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog keeps rolling along in her doggie wheelchair. This paralyzed dachshund's unabashed healing, exuberant spirit, and spunky personality is a blessed gift to everyone she befriends. In this true, inspirational story, Frankie tells how she became a registered therapy dog and shares her visits to Libby's House, a senior facility where many residents have Alzheimer's or dementia. Frankie teaches us that patience, listening, and understanding opens our hearts to what matters most - love. - from Joyful Paws

I'm a sucker for true dog stories and having one in picture book format is a nice change. Frankie's story is not sad. It's a story of hope and perseverance. I loved the story. The books are about the average length of a non-fiction picture book (48 is average, these books are 49 pages.)

I'm not however, a big fan of the illustrations which I find to often be a problem with self-published books. I do however think these two books are good enough to be picked up by a publishing company and given more professional illustrations. The illustrations however are better than some I've seen. I do think Frankie is well done, (see cover of first book.)

In addition to these books, Frankie's story has been featured in other books, magazines and even on radio, podcasts and TV. Even Frankie himself has won an award!

The website, Joyful Paws, has tons of information on Frankie, dachshunds, handicapped pets and more. Teachers and groups within a 120 mile radius of Elkhart Lake, WI can have Barbara and Frankie come visit in person while the rest of the world can see her via Skype. She has a large list of resources and an articles section with stories of other animals. There's even a list you can subscribe to to receive a paw-print signed photo of the real Frankie, word search, coloring page, updates on Frankie and articles from Barbara.

Links of Interest: Joyful Paws,

Other Reviews: The Friendly Book Nook, Lesa's Book Critiques,

Buy Frankie: The Walk 'N Roll Dog at amazon.com and support SMS Book Reviews
Buy The Walk 'N Roll Therapy Dog Visits Libby's House at amazon.com and support SMS Book Reviews

*I received a copy of each of these books for free in exchange for a review. All reviews are honest and are not affected by how I acquired the book.

Houdini's Gift by Jeanne Gehret, M.A.

Stars: ***1/2

Children's Picture Book
Verbal Images Press (Sept. 2009)
ISBN: 978-0-9821982-2-3
32 pages Ages 7-9

Summary: Animal-loving Ben feels sad and guilty when he loses his beloved hamster. Knowing that he is not quite ready to care for a new pet, his parents help him develop responsibility by using a reward chart. Observant readers will enjoy sharing the secret that Mom keeps from Ben through the whole process of selecting and preparing for the new pet. Families living with ADD will take heart from seeing how to fine-tune desired behaviours through setting and pursuing goals. Fans of Eagle Eyes will be happy to have a chance to re-visit Ben.

This is one of three books in The Coping Series, all about learning disabilities.

I think this book would be good for any child who needs to show responsibility before getting a (new) pet, whether they have ADD or not. If your child is not very responsible, this book could show what might happen if the child without enough responsibility got a pet and a way to work towards more responsibility.

I think all three books in the series, including this one would be perfect for either families with children with ADD/ADHD or other learning disabilities or for teachers who work with children with special learning needs.

The author did a good job of of tying in this book with the other story about Ben, Eagle Eyes. It's not just that it's about Ben again but the author tied in his love for nature.

Oh yes and at the end of the book are Discussion Starters which you could do as a parent or teacher or as a class if everyone is learning together.

Thanks to KSB Promotions and Jeanne Gehret, M.A. for the chance to read this book.

Eagle Eyes: A Child's Guide to Paying Attention by Jeanne Gehret, M.A.

Stars: ****

Children's Picture Book
Verbal Images Press (Sept. 2009)
ISBN: 978-0-9821982-1-6
32 pages Ages 7-9

Summary: Ben is fascinated with nature, but his ADD causes trouble at home and at school. The hallmarks of ADD - impulsivity, distractibility, and hyperactivity - as well as difficulties sleeping, are clearly shown, not told, in this story. Several commonly-used treatments are touched on, including relaxation techniques, medication, and a song to help get ready for school. Shortly after Ben's father compares the boy to his favorite bird, a mishap gives Ben a chance to show his concentration on nature as a strength. This edition revised from the 1996 one includes new 4-color illustrations, updated text and streamlining.

This is one of three books in The Coping Series, all about learning disabilities.

This one was really good at showing more than telling what was going on. It especially showed how a child can have trouble concentrating on one task but have no problem staying focused on something else (in this case, nature.)

Although the illustrator is the same for all the books in the series (Michael LaDuca) I think this book's illustrations are a bit better. I'm not sure exactly why but this book and its illustrations kept my attention better.

I think this would be a great book for a child just recently diagnosed with ADD or ADHD to have read to him/her.

An interesting fact:

"The setting for Eagle Eyes is Mendon Ponds Park near Rochester, NY, where chickadees feed from people's hands. The author's family frequently fed birds there."

Thanks to KSB Promotions and Jeanne Gehret, M.A. for the opportunity to read this book.

The Don't-Give-Up Kid and Learning Disabilities by Jeanne Gehret, M.A.

Stars: ***1/2

Children's Picture Book
Verbal Images Press (Sept 2009)
ISBN: 978-0-9821982-0-9
32 pages Children 7-9

Summary: Alex wants a cookie. If he could just read the directions on his mother's grabber device, he could adapt it for his own use! School difficulties and a session with a psychologist help identify Alex's learning disability. His teacher and parents help him use his admiration for Thomas Edison (who had a learning disability) to keep trying new ways to loearn and to successfully invent a Cookie Snatcher. Revisions from the 1996 edition include new 4-color illustrations, updated text to reflect current education practices and the hero's invention differs from the original one.

This book is one of three in The Coping Series by Jeanne Gehret, M.A. Alex's disability is more of Dyslexia than ADD/ADHD but that topic is covered in the two books whose reviews are coming in the next two days.

I'd like to share a fact regarding this book:

"In 1989, educational consultants informed Jeanne Gehret and her husband that their learning-disabled son, then 6, might never learn to read. The first book in The Coping Series, The Don't-Give-Up Kid was written just after diagnosis to portray the best possible outcome for him, and was the first book that he ever read on his own. In 2000, he graduated cum laude from college."

In this book Alex is frustrated at not being able to read but once he is diagnosed (they never actually say Dyslexia although that seems to be the problem) he is placed in a special class where a teacher plays games with him and two other students to help them. He has trouble reading, one can read but has trouble writing and the other has trouble speaking. I like how this shows the different varieties of learning disabilities so a child doesn't say well my problem isn't like that and think the book doesn't apply to him/her.

The illustrations by Michael LaDuca are kind of cute, both realistic and cartoonish at the same time if that's possible.

Thanks to KSB Promotions and Jeanne Gehret, M.A. for the opportunity to read this book.

A Child's Journey Out of Autism by Leeann Whiffen

Subtitle: One Family's Story of Living in Hope and Finding a Cure

Stars: *****

Summary: When Clay Whiffen was diagnosed on the autism spectrum, his parents didn't know where to turn. They refused to believe that he could not be cured, and began to try every therapy they could afford - and many they couldn't.
Frantically they worked, knowing that Clay slipped further away every day. When intensive medical testing revealed that Clay no longer fit the criteria for any condition on the autism spectrum, the Whiffens' wildest dreams were realized. Clay had conquered autism.

*Skip this next paragraph if you don't care about my personal interest in autism*
I have been interested in autism since I was a young teen even though no one I know personally is autistic. I don't know what it is but I've always been intrigued by it. I've done personal research on it and I love to read books on it. Perhaps some day I'll work with autistic children. Most of the books on autism I've read were before this blog but perhaps someday I'll reread them and then I can review them.

A Child's Journey Out of Autism is different than the rest because the child's (Clay) autism diagnosis was REVOKED! That's right, he was cured of his autism.

I won't lie, this book was very hard to read, most of the time. I got right into it, felt like a part of the family, felt like it was my little brother who was going through all this. Leeann's writing style just pulls you right in. Many times throughout the book I had to put it down and read something else before I started crying hysterically. I am a very emotional person but if you are at all like me, you'll have the same trouble. Even if you aren't overly emotional, you'll still feel empathy for the Whiffens.

The book actually doesn't read like a memoir. It's fast-paced and suspenseful. I couldn't read it fast enough, I wanted to know what was going to happen next. Would a treatment work, would he fall back into his prior behaviours?

The Whiffens tried almost every treatment designed for autistic kids from ABA to biomedical treatments (medicines and vitamins) to RDI to a Gluten/Casein free diet, as well as CARD and services from a local place for kids with disabilities. If you don't know what these terms mean, you will you read the book. It's all explained very well as you listen to the experts explain it to Leeann and Sean (the husband.) Especially when it comes to ABA, I've never read a better story that helped explain how ABA really works. Not a scientific explanation but a real down to earth, this is how it is one.

The basic thing is that this book provides hope. Hope that children with autism can be helped and hope that even if these children can't be totally cured like Clay, they can get better.

Links of Interest: Leeann Whiffen's website. (Be sure to check out the very moving book trailer on the main page, narrated by Clay Whiffen himself.), Leeann Whiffen's Blog, Clay's Law Video, Interview with Leeann Whiffen (from Maw Books),



Other Reviews: Maw Books,

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Ian's Walk: A Story about Autism by Laurie Lears

Stars: ****

This is a children's picture book that can be read to siblings of kids with Autism or to other children without Autism to help them better understand it. Every Autistic child is different just like every non-Autistic child is different but this book will still give you an idea and if an adult is reading aloud the book, he/she can provide more information about Autism as they read.

The story is that Ian is a boy with Autism and his sister's want to take a walk but Ian wants to go with. After clearing it with the mom, the two sisters take Ian on a walk. The younger sister is the narrator and talks about how Ian hears things different, feels things different etc.... Then near the end of the walk, Ian goes missing and with lumps in their throats, the two sisters try to figure out where he may have gone.

"Ian smells things differently...
At Mrs. Potter's flower stand, I hold a bouquet of sweet-smelling lilacs up
to Ian's face. Ian wrinkles his nose and turns away. But when we go by the post
office, Ian puts his nose against the warm, gritty bricks and sniffs the wall." - pg 8

For some more stats on the book, check out the corresponding page at the publishers, Albert Whitman & Company.