We Can Do It!

Rating:
Summary: A catalogue of physical impairments
Review: I'm not sure why we need a catalogue of impairments like this. The pictures are certainly beautiful but I don't understand why we would want to group a whole bunch of children with disabilities together and then offer up all of the private details of their lives. I guess I'm just not sure what the story is here. Is there a plot?

Rating:
Summary: children first, disabilities second
Review: This marvelous book shows five different children going about their lives with their disabilities visible, but demystified. The title really says it all: We can do it! We can do lots of things! The journalistically styled photos show each child in ordinary situations as a child first, and a child with a disability second.

My favorite photo is the one of the boy in his walker playing in the sprinkler; seeing his joy reminds of another famous photo of children playing under a street sprinkler, and of my own childhood. This must be why little children love this book. They get to examine children who are a little different having fun. Perhaps it helps them answer their unasked questions. But believe me, small children LOVE this book.

Rating:
Summary: A lively book of photographs of special children as children
Review: We Can Do It has photographs of 5 children with Down Syndrome, spina bifida, blindness and cerebral palsy having fun and enjoying ordinary activities at home and at school. The unposed (I think!) photographs are refreshing and inspiring to anyone who has an interest in special needs children, focusing on their abilities. I think it will become a classic.