I Can't Stop!: A Story about Tourette's Syndrome

by Holly L. Niner, Meryl Treatner (Illustrations)

One day Nathan starts blinking--a lot. It bothers his parents and his sister. After a while the blinking stops, but then Nathan starts sniffing. A doctor explains that Nathan's movements are called tics.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Tourette Syndrome

32 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 30, 2005

About the author

I grew up in Newburgh, New York where I could often be found reading a book under the weeping willow tree. In elementary school, a friend and I picked our library books together, so that we could trade books half way through the week otherwise I would run out of things to read. I loved to read mysteries, historical fiction, about everyday people and even poetry!

While I loved to read, I did not always write stories. In college I studied to be a Speech Therapist and I continue to provide speech therapy services in nursing homes. However, as I read books to my children, I realized that I wanted to write stories that children would love. So I took a writing course and began to learn about the craft of writing and the business of publishing. The first stories I published were in magazines for children.

My first picture book, Mr. Worry: A Story about OCD, was chosen by International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) to be included in the Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities 2005 catalog and traveling exhibit. I Can’t Stop: A Story about Tourette Syndrome, received a 2006 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio award and was a 2005 Bank Street College of Education Best Book.

Mr. Worry, is close to my heart because my son has OCD. I feel that books are a wonderful way to explain a difficult topic and are a useful place to start a discussion with a child. So I wrote a story about OCD to help children and their families deal with this difficult disorder.

This year Flashlight Press is releasing my latest books--
The Day I Ran Away, Spring 2017
No More Noisy Nights, Fall 2017
YIPPEE!!

I live in Fort Wayne, Indiana with my husband Keith and one crazy cat. My children, Evan (29) and Beth (27) were always able to talk me into buying them a book. There are books everywhere in this house of readers-on bookshelves, on tables, in boxes in the basement, even in the bathroom!

Reviews

[Sharonta Johnson]

This is a good book to half on your shelf and it talks about student with tourette syndrome. this would be a great book to recommend to a student with tourette syndrome.

[Piper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m basically diagnosed with this

[Nicolewinter2011 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Illustrator: Meryl Treatner
Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company (Morton Grove, IL!)
Year: 2005
Interest Level: K-3
Reading Level: 2-3

This book won a 2006 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio award and is a 2005 Bank Street College of Education Best Book. I thought it was ok. The main character is a middle class Caucasian boy who exhibits changing tics. His parents are annoyed until they take him to the doctor who explains more about Tourette syndrome (TS). Children make fun of him, even his friends initially. But when the teacher and the friend find out that he cannot control his behavior, they are more understanding. It is realistic that unfortunately some children still make fun of him. While I think the book approached this topic in somewhat of a cheesy manner, I know there aren't many books out there on this topic and I didn't think it was bad. I also think it might help some kids have the courage to tell others about their condition. The illustrations are a little cookie-cutter looking, but they correlate well with the events in the story. So even though this texts reads a little like an "after school special," it is a decent place to start with bringing awareness and hopefully more sensitivity to the topic.

Also, there is a note for parents and teachers at the beginning that is written by an Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurology and Medical and Molecular Genetics at the beginning of the book, which provides a little more background for parents and teachers to have some talking points for the children to whom they are reading.

[Marianne Shorten · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story about Nathan, a boy who suddenly finds he can't stop twitching his neck, blinking and sniffing. At first his family and friends are irritated and ask him to stop. When they finally bring him to a doctor, they find that Nathan has Tourette Syndrome or TS, a disorder that manifests itself in involuntary sounds and movements.
The book explains TS in simple and accessible language. The doctor explains how the chemicals that control our reactions "overload" in someone with TS and demonstrates this by spilling marbles into a cup. Nathan expresses the frustration that can be common in tourettes, saying "Why won't my body listen to me?" Together Nathan and his family find ways to manage the tics, using a chart to track them and finding strategies like putting his hands in his pockets to replace a tic.
This book is useful in that it dispels some of the myths surrounding TS and offers explanations and strategies in simple and non threatening language. It would be a great addition to any inclusive classroom. This book would be helpful for children who are affected by tourettes. It would also be helpful for their peers to read so as to ensure a greater understanding of the disorder and enable them to find ways to support their classmate.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nathan can't understand why he's started experiencing various kinds of tics until a doctor's visit reveals that he has Tourette syndrome. I remember first learning about this on an episode of the old TV show "Quincy". Niner's book is a great way to introduce sufferers and their family, friends, and classmates, to the syndrome. She includes a note for parents and teachers written by a doctor and filled with more detailed information about TS at the beginning of the book. Highly recommended!

[Jonathon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book for educational purposes about children with Tourette's Syndrome. If there is a child in a classroom with TS then this book would get 5 stars, but I feel that TS is rare enough that you wouldn't need this book real often. But when the moment arises, be sure and have your hands on a copy.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was on a list of suggested books for kids with OCD as another example of involuntary behavior patterns. My daughter immediately said "That's what happens to me! When I'm not trying to learn something, my body just wants to keep moving and I have to figure out what else I can do to stop it."

[Dana Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great story to describe to students tourette syndrome. Would read this if there was a student who had tourettes so the other students can become more aware of why that student acts the way he/she does.

[Sebastian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was actually written very well for children to understand TS syndrome. and I also feel like I have a better understanding and respect for it. This book should be on the reading lists for all public schools!

[Karlie Payne]

This is a good book that would help students understand Tourette Syndrome. It explains tics and what causes them and helps young children understand the syndrome. I would use this to explain Tourettes to a child or to help a child who has Tourette Syndrome.

[Sandy D. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful if your child has TS with no comorbid disorders. My detailed review is here on my blog.

[Beckie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful story about a boy diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A children's explanation to others about Tourette's. I think this was perfect for any age to go over the simplicity of the complication of this disorder.