Rolling Along: The Story of Taylor and his Wheelchair, A Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago Learning Book

by Jamee Heelan, Nicola Simmonds (Illustrator)

This triumphant story offers a valuable look at both adjusting to a wheelchair and facing physical limitations with boundless energy and determination.
Taylor and Tyler are twin brothers and best friends. But the twins are different in one significant Taylor has cerebral palsy, while Tyler does not. Taylor works hard to strengthen his weak legs in therapy and at home. But when he learns to use a wheelchair, he finds that he is able to get around school more quickly than he could with his walker. He is even able to play basketball with Tyler!
Accompanied by Simmonds’ bright multimedia paintings, Heelan’s reveals the experiences of a child who lives with physical limitations and shows how wheelchairs allow people to be more independent.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Disability, Nonfiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2000

Reviews

[Ana Tejada]

Rolling along shares Taylor's way of moving around in a wheelchair. This story show how he can be independent and play with other children. This book will teach children to never give up and see the bright side of everything in life.

[Payton Spainhour · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tells about a young boy named Taylor who has cerebral palsy. Taylor has a twin brother, Tyler, who is also his best friend. Taylor having cerebral palsy means that for him, he can't get around on his own without the help of leg braces and a walker. He goes to therapy and does his leg stretches, and he has lots of friends in therapy who have wheelchairs, and he wants one too! When Taylor finally gets his wheelchair, he loves it because he can move around quicker, and he feels that nothing can stop him, not even his condition.

This book is so great! I love that this is a true story with a real boy, and the pictures are so creative! This is such an inspiring and heart-warming story, and I think it would be a great story for students to hear.

This book is perfect for children. It would be great to use to embrace people's differences, and most schools probably have at least one student in a wheelchair, and this would help give a better understanding of how that may affect the person. I feel that children often want to feel bad for those in conditions like this, but Taylor is so happy just to be playing with his friends, and that will help students not treat people who are different as if they are deficient.

[Jordan Ledford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rolling Along is a story about Taylor. He has a twin brother named Tyler. They are the same in many ways except with one difference, Taylor has cerebral palsy. In the story, Taylor talks about the different equipment he uses to help himself walk. He is do upbeat throughout the whole book! He is so excited when he is surprised with his new wheelchair. Taylor talks about the challenges that comes with his wheelchair that people might now think about that don't have wheelchairs. With his new wheelchair nothing can stop him!

This book has great illustrations! Everything except the faces have been drawn. I would recommend this book to all teachers! It is told by the view point of the child, so this will help with child connection. This book is great for children who have trouble with excepting they have problems with their legs and walking. This book is also great to give other children a better understanding of what someone is going through with trouble walking has cerebral palsy. Some children have never seen a wheelchair or a child with walking disabilities and this book gives great detail of what life is like with this disability thanks to Taylor.

[Michaela Puglisi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed learning about Taylor, who is living with Cerebral Palsy (CP). The reader is given a look into Taylor's life throughout the book. It shows a therapy session, especially what works for him and what doesn't. Taylor was frustrated with his lack of ability to control his muscle functions- an unfortunate side effect of the disease. The book does turn around when Taylor receives his own wheelchair; the joy that he feels radiates off of the pages. Not only does the book describe Taylor's adjustments to his new wheels, but also the adjustments having to be made by those around him (friends, the school he attends, etc.). I felt that this book was absolutely beautiful. I loved how the illustrations were pictures of Taylor along with his friends and family that had illustrated bodies. To me, it helps to lighten the mood of the severity of living with CP and it reflects Taylor's youthful spirit. This book would be wonderful to read to a class that has a student who is living with CP. I believe that this book can teach children a lot, and maybe even adults, too!

[Faith Walton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taylor tells his story about being born with Cerebral palsy. The book shows how life is difficult for him because of it. One day in therapy he gets his first wheelchair. He goes through some of the struggles he faces because he is in a wheelchair. He also talks about things that the school has done to make his life easier. He loves his wheelchair, and it doesn't hold him back.

This is a good book. It shows that having a disability doesn't mean that you are helpless forever. It also shows that wheelchairs don't hold you back. My one criticism of this book is that the pictures are a little odd to me. I don't like the art style, but that doesn't take away from the meaning of the book.

This would be a good book to read to my students if we had someone in the class who needed a wheelchair. It is good for showing that people with disabilities aren't helpless, and sometimes they need just a little more help than others.

[Sarah Bunker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary: This book tells the story of two twin brothers, one has Cerebral Palsy and the other does not. The book explains Cerebral Palsy and the limitations that it creates for Taylor. But, it also tells of all the things he can do, and how he doesn't let it limit him. He shows how he lives his day to day life and is still able to do the things the other kids are doing, sometimes what he does has to be slightly modified.

Personal Thoughts: This book is very moving. I really like all the information given. It's an awesome story that shows that living with a disability has its challenges but is still a beautiful life. The story is very well written and illustrated.

In the classroom: I would use this book in my classroom to teach my students about different disabilities that they may see in their day to day lives. I would explain the importance of always being loving towards others, and trying to make everyone be included and seen.

[Brenley Colbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a little boy named Taylor who has cerebral palsy. He talks about his life using a walker and a wheelchair for every day life. He talks about how it was hard to use his wheelchair at first because he had to build up arm strength, but after that it was so helpful. He explained how he told his friends how his wheelchair is more helpful that it is disabling.

I think this book would be good to read to any class and especially maybe those with students who have disabilities. Not only does it bring awareness to disabilities but it shows how kids see their own disabilities.

I would read this to just younger kids probably just because of the language grade level in the book

[Lucy Orr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rolling Along is a story about a boy that is struggling with Cerebral Palsy. He has a twin brother named Tyler that doesn't have the condition, and it causes him to get down on himself when he isn't able to do the same things as everyone else. This story takes a positive turning point when Taylor receives his own wheelchair and is able to be mobile by himself like everyone else. I loved this book and thought it was a book that should be on every teachers shelf. I think this story could definitely be used to help kids struggling with their disabilities and also could be used to help other children understand disabilities as a whole.

[Kayley Pate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this nonfiction book because it was so real not only because it is a true story but also because Its a story of twin brothers. This book has so many subject and attributes that are not in your everyday book such as African American, twins, and disabilities. These are all things you don't see in books individually let alone all together in one book. True stories are so important to society because although nonfiction books do have a subject and problem solving I feel like you can't get the full experience of the story being told when nonfiction books are presented where as this book was so real and did a great job of telling the story of Taylor and his Wheelchair.

[Jada · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book because of the emotion the author expressed. When this book is presented to an older group they'll be able to imagine what it would be like to have some of their everyday frustrations to Taylors extent. This book presents Taylor in his school environment which is very important because it'll show the children that peoples disabilities don't define them. It would be difficult for young children to understand Taylors disability but introducing this book to them can help to skim the surface of the topic.

[Villain E · Rating 3 out of 5]

A straightforward story told in first person of a boy who has cerebral palsy. He talks about his physical therapy, knee braces, using a walker and then learning to use a wheelchair. The art is a collage of photographs and digital drawing.

[Karol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taylor has cerebral palsy and he shares what that is and how a wheelchair gives him independence.

Rolling Along is a wonderful book that easily educates the use of a wheelchair and briefly tells us about cerebral palsy.

[Mary Pease · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Rolling Along: the story of Taylor and his wheelchair" is about a boy who has cerebral palsy. Taylor has a twin brother named Tyler. Taylor works very hard physically. In order to go from place to place, he has to use devices such as a wheelchair. This story is uplifting and Taylor's determination to succeed is shown throughout.
This book is a nonfiction and is suitable for grades 1-4. This book is one of many in a series by the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. This book is a great companion to "Out of my Mind" by Sharon Draper.
"Out of my Mind" and "Rolling Along: the story of Taylor and his wheelchair" identify characters (children) who have cerebral palsy and have to use a wheelchair. Both stories are optimistic and do not allow the reader to sympathize with the characters who have cerebral palsy. Both characters overcome obstacles by the use of devices such as a wheelchair. Both characters are determined to persevere in life. If there is a roadblock, each character learns to overcome. "Out of my Mind" is a realistic fiction unlike "Rolling Along: the story of Taylor and his wheelchair" which is a nonfiction.
Both stories convey the message of hard work pays off. Also, obstacles can be overcome. Whether one has a disorder (cerebral palsy) or not, we are all human beings.
Taylor and Melody compare themselves to 'normal' children. Melody compares herself to her peers in school and Taylor compares himself to his twin brother Tyler. Taylor and Melody realize their handicap but they also realize their similarities with other kids. Their determined spirits shine through. Just as Melody describes her life with this disability so too does Taylor. Both characters work hard for a more rewarding life and both characters choose to work hard to overcome and succeed!

[Aryehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Biography/informational text

This text is a biography that serves the purpose of an informational text that explains some of what it's like to have, or knows someone who has cerebral palsy. I included it in a set of books about children who have disabilities because I wanted to bring an understanding of a variety of ways disabilities affect the lives of those who have them while presenting characters in a realatebale, humanizing way. Children may not see people who move about with aids such as wheelchairs, braces, or walkers and this book allows them an opportunity to ask questions respectfully. It's written from the perspective of Taylor, who is born with cerebral palsy. The text reveals how Taylor and his twin brother Tyler are similar--loving to play with dinosaurs watch basketball---and how his condition sometimes makes his life a little different. He sees his therapist every week, moves about in a wheelchair or braces, and has to be mindful of facilities accessible to him by wheelchair. He still has lots in common with any other kid his age. He plays basketball (and sometimes scores more points than his brother),and hopes to one day be able to "pop a wheelie."
The pictures in this text use real photos as heads and meld them with cartoon images. It's very cute. The tone is very "matter of fact" and does not elicit pitty from readers--Taylor mentions a classmate feeling sorry for him and named a few positive reasons why he is happy to have his wheelchair.
Taylor's words definitely seem sincere, and the text is very easy to understand. I was especially impressed with the the language used to describe cerebral palsy.

[Thomas S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

2: Rolling Along. The Story of Taylor and His Wheelchair
Summary: Taylor looks like and is interested in the same things as his twin brother Tyler. But in one way, Taylor is not like his brother. He has cerebral palsy, which is a condition that makes it hard for him to control the muscles in his legs. For a long time, Taylor has visited a physical therapist but still he has not been able to walk without braces. One day at the therapist, Taylor gets a wheelchair and that makes him very happy because now he is able to move faster than ever before. After a lot of practice, the wheelchair lets Taylor move around, almost with the same freedom as a person without cerebral palsy. He even learns how to play basketball with Tyler.

The theme is that if you get the right help from people around you, you can get a relatively normal life even though you have a serious disease.

Personal response: In my class in primary school, a girl had to sit in a wheelchair until third grade. She worked hard to get better and today she walks perfectly fine.

Recommendation: I like the message about disabled people being able live normal lives in this book. But the story is not really exciting. This is a realistic story about a normal boy, who has a disability. There are no unexpected twists that could have made the story more interesting. Furthermore, I am personally not a big fan of the illustrations in this book, where we see photos of real people’s heads on drawn bodies. But the theme in this book is really important, so despite its shortcomings I still want to recommend this book.

[Cassidy Reed]

Taylor and Tyler are twin brothers, very much alike except for one thing. Taylor has cerebral palsy. At home and in therapy, Taylor does his very best to strengthen his legs and to use a walker, but once he gets a new wheelchair for help, he realizes that he can do so much more than before. Taylor is very excited about the things he can do in his wheelchair, like playing basketball with his brother and popping wheelies. Taylor also explains the important changes his school has made for people in wheelchairs. In the end, Taylor knows that nothing can stop him with the abilities his wheelchair gives him.

I thought that some of the illustrations are unique because they are half realistic and half cartoonlike.

The story of Taylor and his wheelchair should give kids confidence and determination, especially if one has a physical limitation like Taylor’s. I would read and discuss this book if I had a kid in my class who was having trouble physically or if someone needed the encouragement to overcome an obstacle in their life.

[Dianne J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Age of readership: Ages 4-8

Genre: Picture Book

Diversity: Differently-abled people

Illustrations: Mixed media, photos and pastel drawings

My response to the book: In this story a young boy named Taylor explains that he has cerebral palsy and his life is different than that if his twin brother, Tyler. Despite the differences Taylor lets the reader know that he can participate in many of the same activities that other children his age does with the help of physical therapy and his wheel chair.

Curricular/Programming connections: Use in a discussion with children about disabilities and how to overcome obstacles in life.

[Nicole Bell]

Taylor has cerebral palsy, his brother and best friend, Tyler does not. Taylor explains that his walker is used for short distances and that his wheelchair helps him to not become so tried. Therapy visits and stretches are also described. I’d like the children in my class to literally live in the shoes of someone else for a school day. I think it will give them an insight that most will never have.

[Kynshasa Mcdaniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book would be great to introduce children to handicap accessibility. It can also be an opportunity to talk to children about others with disabilities and ways they can help others. The children can go around the school to see how handicap friendly their school is and come up with solutions to any problems that they may come across.

[Katterley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book to help children understand the challenges of being in a wheelchair as well as the freedom it offers someone who needs it to move around. I enjoy and recommend all the books in the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago's Learning Book series.

[Kemar Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rolling Along: The Story of Taylor and His Wheelchair is a great book for teaching children about people who have to use a wheelchair. The book conveys Taylor's story very well. The book gives a realistic view of the struggles of cerebral palsy and how the wheelchair helps. Great book.

[Characters With Disabilities]

Motor