Why Are You Looking At Me?: I Just Have Down Syndrome.

by Lisa Tompkins

This story is about the life of a child with Down Syndrome that wants to be your friend. Lynn may look different than most children, but has many of the same likes and dislikes. Help your child discover what it means to accept and embrace a relationship with people who are different.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 31, 2013

Reviews

[Suzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lynn just wants to be appreciated and respected by her peers, but that's hard when you look and think differently than everyone around you. Especially when you have down syndrome. This book follows Lynn as she takes us through her day, and teaches young readers she's just like everyone else. "I play and smile and laugh just like all the other kids. My differences make me me, and I'm enough!" This is just so sweet and perfect for kids ages 4-10, to teach them about those different than them, and treat everyone equally. As someone who lives and works closely with people with down syndrome, I found everything in this book accurate, and even read it when I was mystery reader for my sister's first grade class! (They all loved it and grasped the theme perfectly, for those who say kids won't understand this topic.) This should be available in all young elementary school classrooms, this is so important for kids to learn about at a young age, but never before this has a book been published that allows kids to understand and learn about this topic. Good job, Lisa Tompkins!

[Morgan Renouf · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a girl named Lynn who has Down Syndrome. She talks about how her Down Syndrome causes her to look different from others but explains that things like her smile, laugh, daily activities, and hobbies are the same as everyone else. Lynn loves being different and realizes that it makes her who she is. She struggles with reading and writing but is good at cooking, cleaning, and shopping. Lynn explains going out is hard because people stare but she is just a friendly girl that wants people to understand her better. Lynn is a character that other children with Down Syndrome can relate to and connect with and her grace and good attitude is something all children can look up to. This story is inspiring and lighthearted and sheds light on children with Down Syndrome. It helps readers realize that they are friendly people with big hearts who just want to be understood.

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is about a girl named a little girl named Lynn. The little girl has down syndrome. The book shares her story on how she looks different than other kids because she has Down Syndrome. She shares that she is just like other kids she laugh, smile, and do daily activities just like everyone else. Lynn at first loved that she was different until she started to realize that because she has Down Syndrome people look at her differently. The story explains the ways that she is different than most people but also explains the ways she is the same. She says that to her family doesn't matter that he is different because that's what makes here special. The illustrations fill the whole page and look like hand drawn images that are colored with markers. They are fun and bright images.

I gave this book a five star rating because this is a very important book to show to your students. It shows them not to treat people differently because they look different. It shows students that kids/people with disabilities like to do many of the same things that we do so they are not much different than us. And no one looks exactly the same so the bigger picture is that we are all different.

[Leonard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about Lynn who just wants to be liked and appreciated. She knows she different but what's to teach people the meaning of life and to enjoy every minute. This book can teach children about loving everyone and how to interact with many people. This book should be a book that more children should read and there should be more books like this. The amount of content and the very bold textures in book is a very exact choice that greats a better picture for anyone reading

[Kristin Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is such a lovely story. It describes how a person with down syndrome may look different from others, but they still enjoy the same activities as other people. This would be a great story to read to your child or to a classroom to teach children about people with down syndrome. It is a simple read but very sweet with nice illustrations!

[Brandy Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, It really embraces the children that have down syndrome. It helps teach young children that being different is not a bad thing that we all have something to offer. It also teaches young children about having compassion for others.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

As rates are rising for students who have special needs, Lisa Tompkins writes a story that can help other children understand those who are slightly different than them. This story teaches though someone looks different they still may have lots in common with you!