Books published by publisher Woodbine House

2007 Moonbeam Award Winner: Childhood Wellness Category, Silver MedalWhen a long-distance relative comes for a visit, Jody and her brother Josh, who has autism, find themselves teaching Great Aunt Tilda the rules of the games they like to play. Josh loves Animal Sounds Bingo, but not with new people. Jody's delighted to have an adult to herself and gets out a game of her own, but Josh keeps interrrupting. Will Jody never win? As the story progresses, Josh slowly warms up to Aunt Tilda as Jody helps her to understand her brother. But, as with many board games, the rules of autism are complicated. Still, through Jody's humor, complaints, exuberance, and wisdom, Playing by the Rules shows how siblings of children with autism bridge the gap of understanding between their brothers or sisters and other people. With colorful, cartoon-like illustrations, Playing by the Rules is a funny, realistic story of having to tolerate interruptions and less attention because of a sibling's special needs. But as with all siblings, Josh and Jody's relationship is also positive and loving--most of the time!

Our readers and customers asked for informative and entertaining fiction for teens and young adults about their lives, and we’ve listened! We're pleased to publish LUCKY DOGS, LOST HATS, AND DATING DON’TS, a collection of over a dozen hi-lo (high interest-low reading level) short stories for people with intellectual disabilities or other learning challenges. Middle schoolers through adults will identify with the book’s true-to-life stories and their characters (some with developmental disabilities, some without), who want to live as independently as they can. And just like real life, there are episodes of hilarity, poignancy, messiness, responsibility, longing, fulfillment, and adventure. From roommate troubles to wanting a pet, and from seeking a girlfriend to going camping with friends, these appealing short stories engage readers and impart subtle life lessons. A set of questions at the end of each story encourages discussion and further self-reflection. Stories included are: -A Day of Kindness-A Very Lucky Dog-Adventures in Camping-Bad Hair Day-Dear Diary-Dirty Dishes-Doctor Visit-Evening Walks-How to Find a Girlfriend-Road Trip-Slugger-Sneezes-The Kissing Scene-Tornado at Big BurgerWritten by experts in literacy and inclusion for people with developmental disabilities, stories range in reading grade level from 1.5 to 3.5 (Flesch-Kincaid scale) and are illustrated with large format black and white photos. Large type, a sans serif font, ample margins, and space between paragraphs helps to provide a smooth reading experience. An Introduction provides important information about who can benefit from the book and how to use it. If you’re a parent, educator, reading specialist, book club coordinator, librarian, or counselor don’t miss this unique book for your teen and adult readers with intellectual disabilities or other struggling readers! Also by these authors (in paperback)…NEXT CHAPTER BOOK CLUB: A MODEL COMMUNITY LITERACY PROGRAM FOR PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY.

Even the closest brothers and sisters don't always get along or understand each other. Add a disability like Down syndrome to the mix, and that sibling relationship gets even more complicated, especially for teenagers. This is the first book written exclusively for teens with a brother or sister with Down syndrome. In an easy-to-read, question & answer format, it tackles a broad range of their most common issues and concerns. Nearly 100 questions - all posed by teen siblings - are grouped into the following categories: facts and statistics about Down syndrome; how people with Down syndrome learn; handling parent and family conflicts; dealing with your sibling's frustrating behaviours; managing uncomfortable situations; sorting out your feelings; becoming an advocate; what the future holds for you and your sibling; and, finding local and national resources. Thoughtful, knowledgeable answers are provided by Brian Skotko, the brother of a young woman with Down syndrome, and Sue Levine, a social worker focused on sibling issues for the past 30 years. This book gives teens the green light to explore their own feelings and questions about their sibling with Down syndrome and how their relationship may change in the future.

If you're the parent of a child with attention issues--ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, or sensory processing disorder--then you'll want to share Pay Attention, Emily Brown! with your child. This fun picture book pairs whimsical illustrations with a mother's poetic pleas as she tries, in vain, to get the attention of her child. Kids age 4-8 will gladly tune in to this book to enjoy Emily Brown's flights of fancy and the lengths to which her mother goes to get Emily to focus. Wonderful word pictures, from silly to absurd, hold readers' attention, and eye-catching artwork captures each entertaining moment. Just think, Emmy Brown, for a moment or two... Suppose that I told you my toes had turned blue? Suppose that I started to fly overhead? Or spread candy and presents all over your bed? If I hung upside down by an arm and a knee do you think, Emmy Brown, you would listen to me? Pay Attention, Emily Brown! celebrates the imagination of all children, but especially those whose minds seem to wander a bit more than others, and offers a reminder that humor is both a sanity-saver and relationship-soother.

(An IBBY 2007 Outstanding Books for Young People exhibition selection)I CAN, CAN YOU? is the perfect book for parents and children to enjoy together. As your child sits on your lap and you read to him, he'll see other children with Down syndrome modeling some things he can do and some which he will soon do. Reinforce your child's abilities ("Look at the boy going down the slide. You can do that!") and encourage the possibilities ("Do you see the girl drawing a picture?"). What's more, as you read to your child and as he plays with the book and turns the pages, he will gain important pre-reading skills.This wonderful book will be reassuring to families with a new baby with Down syndrome and makes a great gift. Daycare centers, hospitals, infant-toddler programs, libraries, pediatric practices, and support groups will want to have I CAN, CAN YOU? available for the families they serve.

For ages 4-8. Isaac is almost three years old and Emma is in elementary school. Emma misses the adoring baby brother Isaac used to be. Now that hes older, hes a pain. Emma used to be able to make Isaac laugh. He used to let her hold him without squirming. But no more. Now Isaac spits out his food and knocks down her blocks when Emma tries to play with him. Sometimes his behaviour is downright embarrassing. Emma thinks Isaac would be more fun if hed hurry up and learn some of the sign language she and her mom are trying to teach him. His slower pace is maddening at times! THE BEST WORST BROTHER is an endearing and realistic look at how a relationship evolves between a typically developing older sister and her younger brother with a developmental disability. It also shows how sign language can help a child that acquires speech more slowly. As Emma is pleased to discover, Isaac can learn to sign, he just learns when hes ready. For those who recognise aspects of their own family in the story, it will be comforting to read about this 'warts and all' sibling relationship. Charlotte Fremauxs realistic illustrations are deft and colourful. Text and illustrations mesh beautifully, making THE BEST WORST BROTHER a delightful tale to read at home or share at school. Also by Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen: We'll Paint the Octopus Red

When Natalie's little brother Evan Earl is born prematurely, he's earns the nickname Evan Earl-y. No one can say for sure when Evan will come home from the hospital. To help her with this uncertainty, Natalie's father gives her a calendar to keep track of the days --each day that Natalie colors in is one day closer to the day her new brother can come home. When Natalie visits Evan at the hospital, she is curious about the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU); she talks to the nurses and her Mom explains how the tubes and machines are helping Evan to breathe and eat. As the days go by and become “rainbow weeks” on Natalie's coloring calendar, she gets lonely and a little scared; her parents spend most of their time with Evan in the NICU. She tries to be patient, but finally gets upset by their neglect. Her Mom reassures her that they haven't forgotten about her. Over time, Natalie learns that, although her brother might always need special help and lots of attention, she can teach Evan their family traditions, even while he's in the hospital. This is a sympathetic and supportive story for other young siblings (ages 4 to 8) of preemies. The full-color illustrations are warm and bright, using Natalie's coloring calendar as a recurring visual theme throughout the story. The pictures portray just enough suggestion of the NICU medical setting to satisfy young reader's curiosity.