Children With Disabilities in Fiction: Early/Beginning Readers

Early/beginning reader books challenge children who are learning to read, inspiring them with colorful characters and creative concepts. These books are designed with success for new readers in mind and use a variety of techniques to achieve this end: fewer words per page; repetition of words and phrases; themes and ideas to which children relate.

A master in the field of early readers is the creator of the "Little Critter"; series and characters, Mercer Mayer. Long-lasting, vibrant artwork and a host of lovable, memorable creatures are Mayer's hallmark. His books use common childhood themes and the adventures of Little Critter and his friends (many taken directly from Mayer's own childhood) to illustrate lessons in life and relationships.

One of my favorite Little Critter Books, and one most appropriate for the current discussion of books with disabled children as the main characters, is "A Very Special Critter". "A Very Special Critter" was written by Gina Mayer, Mercer's wife, and illustrated by Mercer Mayer with his usual energy and detail.

Little Critter and his schoolmates discover that a new critter will soon be joining their class! Teacher explains that this is "a very special critter"; he's unable to walk and must use a wheelchair. Little Critter is a bit scared and uncertain about meeting a critter in a wheelchair, so he talks about this with his dad, who speaks perhaps the best two lines in the book, "Just because he's in a wheelchair doesn't mean he's any different than the rest of you. He probably just needs some special help once in a while." This theme follows for the rest of the story.

The new critter uses a special ramp, and sometimes he needs help over a bump or to reach something up high or something way down low. This special critter loves to play volleyball. Some of his favorite things are Super Critter and race cars, and he is an excellent artist.

"A Very Special Critter" examines the fears and feelings of the students and of Alex, the very special new critter in class. Everyone has ideas about what Alex can and cannot do, but they soon find that Alex's strengths, interests and limitations are very much like their own.

The last page of the book sums up the message and the key to why this book is a favorite of kids and parents alike, "My dad was right about Alex. Even though he's a special critter, he's just one of the gang."

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