Getting by With a Little Help From a Book

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I typically watch The Today Show every morning. I like the anchors, and for whatever reason, this show has become my morning show of choice. Sometimes, I'll admit, it's just on for noise and I'm not really paying attention. But every once in a while, something grabs my attention and I'm happy that I chose this particular show. Such was the morning that Henry Winkler was interviewed.

Like every other adult my age, I watched Happy Days. The Fonz was a great character and I cracked up at all of the correct times. I grew up, stopped watching the show, and Henry Winkler faded from my mind. Until he appeared on The Today Show, touting the newest in his line of kids' books. The Hank Zipzer series. The main character, Hank, is in elementary school and has a learning disability. I immediately ran to the bookstore that very day and bought the first two in the series and gave them to my LD kid. And what a difference these books have made to my kid. Take this passage as an example.

Or this one:

It's almost like my kid WROTE these books. Hank has many of the same struggles that my own kid has and has many of the same accommodations - and my kid has been devouring these books. In Holy Enchilada!, Hank makes, well, enchiladas, and the recipe was included. My kid, who never before has expressed any interest in cooking, begged to make the enchiladas. My kid, who doesn't like Mexican food and hates spices, could not WAIT to cook them. And so, as soon as we got our new stove (another blog post!), in fact, within an hour of the installation - we were cooking these babies up.

Creating the sauce - tomato sauce, garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, salt, oregano.

The finished product, which was devoured by the members of my family. And my kid ATE up the attention, and is already asking to make them again. AND to go back to the library and check out more of the Hank Zipzer books.

A win-win situation in my book.

Comments

[amie]

OMG! We NEED these books!!!!Going on B&N now- thanks!

[MamaTech]

That is amazing! I will definitely pass the info about these books along.

[Cori]

What age would you suggest these books for? I've got a high-ish level reading 9 year old that's struggling in processing areas. Would these be a go for her?

[kyooty]

Oh that looks yummy!!! I think I might get these books for here too

[Headless Mom]

That Rocks 16 ways from Sunday! Very cool!

[Elizabeth]

The Lord provides in mysterious ways doesn't He? Thankful you found something your child could connect too in such a positive way. Those enchiladas look scrumptious too! Making me crave some Tex-Mex myself.

[Brandy]

That's fantastic! Books truly are magical.

[Starr]

I LOVE it when someone like Henry Winkler, who could have spent the rest of his life resting on his Fonzie laurels, moves on from typical Hollywood fame and does something that really and truly makes a difference. And when it involves my personal medium of choice, books, all the better!

[Tish]

I'm a children's librarian and I LOVE, LOVE stories like this! That's the ultimate; finding the perfect book that speaks to a child where s/he is.

[addy]

Absolutely FANTASTIC!

[Karen]

I love those books!

[Sharilyn]

I LOVE it. Love it love it love it.

[Crisanne]

Hooray!! Brings a smile to my face, Carmen. Much success and happiness to your sweet one.

[Elizabeth]

My kid loves the Percy Jackson books for similar reasons (by Rick Riordan)! They have a really fantasy-adventure take on them, though. We;ll be checking these out.

[Gina]

Thank you, I think my son might love these!

[jessica]

This is awesome. I wish they had them for my son when he was younger. The passages you posted totally hit on how he felt. And was exactly what he would tell me before I "got it". This would have saved so many tears and frustrations of both the parents and child.

[Jen]

I have heard nothing but fantastic things about these books; why I haven't gotten them and hidden all the OTHER books in the house is beyond me. Suppose I should get on that post-haste. ;)

[UKCraftySal]

This sounds wonderful. Hope the subsequent books continue to be a great success.

[A Simple Twist of Faith]

That is great Carmen, I am so happy for you and your child.