We Can Do It!

by Laura Dwight

Photographs show five pre-school children, each with a disability, leading full, productive and happy lives because they believe We Can Do It!


Glossary and resource list included.

Finalist, Benjamin Franklin Award

Genres: Picture Books, Disability, Nonfiction, Childrens

40 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1992

Reviews

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a photojournalism book featuring five children, all who are three, four, or five years of age. Two have cerebral palsy, one has spina bifida, one is blind, and one has Down’s Syndrome. They are shown with their physical therapists, families, and friends. They say some of the things they can do. The narrative is relentlessly upbeat. The difficulties they face are glossed over, but in most cases are not completely ignored. I got my biggest smile from the photo that’s on the title page: it’s of two boys in profile who are wearing funny nose masks, and I found it quite amusing. I think this is a fine book for preschoolers ages 2-5 if they have a disability or know another child with a disability or might meet or see a child with a disability. And the kids are certainly appealing, but don’t expect much depth to their stories. There is a description of each disability in the back of the book, saying a bit about why it might happen and a bit about what it means to have it. For children 5 or 6 and up, they’re going to want an account that has a bit more to it. I highly recommend (for ages 5-17 & adults) How It Feels to Live With a Physical Disability, a book I consider much superior, but it’s probably too advanced for most preschoolers, mostly because the kids are older and of less interest to them. So, for preschoolers this is a fine starting place book. For me, this was just okay. 2-1/2 stars

[Annie Behel · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, the author discusses children with different disabilities. For example, Gina has Spina Bifida. David has Down Syndrome. Jewel and Emiliano have Cerebral Palsy. Sarah is Blind. This book walks us through five kids with different disabilities and shows us all of the things they can do while having these disabilities! The importance of having books about kids with disabilities is that it can be very eye opening to kids who don’t necessarily know about these disabilities and can teach them that they aren’t as different as they may think.
I liked this book! I have a friend who has several disabilities that are physical and mental and he can still do a lot of what his friends around him do. I’m glad this book highlighted it! I didn’t see any problems with it!

[Erin Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy reading about each one of the children throughout their journey's and accomplishments they go through with having a disability. It is an excellent book to read to the whole class at the beginning of the year and to discuss that we are all different in our own ways. Even if you have a disability does not mean you can't accomplish a task that someone without a disability can accomplish. Working together and spreading positive encouragement to all the children shows that they are all welcomed and appreciated.

[Alison Leach · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do like this book because it is very short and to the point. The books shows how students may look different with disabilities and thats okay, and that everything is going to be okay in the end because we can all achieve our own goals and dreams. I think this is a good book for introducing disabilities into the classroom, but maybe not the best for actually giving a connection to a real life scenario for the students.

[Arielle Hitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book includes five children with different disabilities. Two have cerebral palsy, one has spina bifida, one is blind, and one has Down’s Syndrome. They are shown with their physical therapists, families, and friends. They say some of the things they can do. This book is photojournalism so it is real pictures of the children. I give this book four stars because I think this is a good book for introducing disabilities into the classroom.

[Haylieboyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great for teachers to have in early childhood classes. This book can help talk about differences and disabilities that some children in the class might have. Since children like to ask questions and have answers to everything, this book can help you to guide the children to let them know that we may be different but we're all the same.

[Miss Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the text and concept, but this is a re-published book from 1992, it could use some updating on the photographs. The pictures of David using the computer look very dated.

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet and simple text with real life photos and easy explanations of why some kids have different abilities.

[Jaclyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative and great story line; pictures are dated.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

my 4 year old likes this book because the kids are her age.

[Kirah Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

1. This nonfiction children's book lets readers meet five children with disabilities. Instead of pointing out what they cannot do, the children on each page share what they can do. There is Gina who has spina bifida, David who has down syndrome, Jewel and Emiliano who have cerebral palsy, and Sarah who is blind. It includes wonder photos that display they happiness these children have. Another great feature is that at the end of the book, it includes a kid-friendly definitions of each of the disabilities it mentions in the text.
2. I would share this with students pre-k-1st.
3. This would be a great book to share with students. You could use it to help them become aware of disabilities as well as show them that although some may have these disabilities they still do and like a lot of things that students who don't have disabilities like. I think it would be great to use to enhance relationships between the students because it shows them that they are alike. It also shows different ethnicities which is always a great thing to include in the class room.
4. All students would benefit from this book. Students who display an interest in handicaps would also enjoy this book. Students who aren't as willing to play with another student because of a disability would greatly benefit them as well.
5. I could incorporate this book into small groups. They could explore the pages together and have discussions about what they relate to in the book. This would allow them to see the similarities they have with students with disabilities.
6. I would definitely read this aloud. I think it is important to make students aware of disabilities, but to also make students aware that those with disabilities are like them too. I think students would benefit from this book greatly.
7. Related books are Don't Call me Different, We're Different, We're the same, and Someone Special, just like You.
8. There are no other forms of this book.

[Tandria · Rating 4 out of 5]

We Can Do It! was a very good book. Great read for elementary school kids and interesting because for one it has young kids in the book telling their stories and it describes all the things that they are able to do even with a disability. The book introduces several young kids with different ages, different disabilities, different abilities, and different ethnic backgrounds. Having a disease does not stop those children from being a kid and hanging around other kids their age. They help others as well. I would encourage kids of all ages (disability or not) to read this book. It shows how to live life happily and to just be yourself. It is a non-fiction book so it is easy to relate to and definitely give others something to consider. This book will hold children's interest while the text is read and I say this because the pictures are very realistic and they include all of the cool things that kids that age do such as riding bikes and helping set the table.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book offers an interesting look at the lives of children with various disabilities. It depicts them as happy, busy children who can do lots of things, in fact, many of the things that we do. I like the matter of fact way their disabilities are presented and the additional information that is provided at the end. It's not overly informative about any of the afflictions; mostly it is useful to dispel the fears, and misunderstandings children may have about them. We enjoyed reading this story together.

[Katie Plumley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This non-fiction book addresses multiple disabilities including Down's Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Blindness and Spina Bifida. Through photographs of children with disabilities, this book shows that exceptional children can do many things just like their abled friends.

As a teacher, this book is an excellent classroom example of non-fiction showing children in real photographs. It addresses multiple disabilities with dignity and the children, as seen on the cover, will melt your heart with their smile.

[Hillingdon Libraries]

Find this book at Hillingdon Libraries

[ReadingWench · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book, simple, and easy to understand. This book has a little about Down syndrome, blindness, Spina Bifida and Cerebral Palsy.

AR 2.2