My Brother is Very Special

Every child is special. Whether it is a child's bright red hair, or picture perfect dimples; a boy's powerful line drives, or a girl's angelic choir solo, each child stands out form the rest in his or her own way. Sometimes a child's uniqueness isn't so accepted by his or her peers. Maybe they have never seen it. Maybe they are afraid of it. Maybe they just need to learn more about it.

This story is about a little boy, Reed, who is very different than most little children. Reed has a severe speech disorder, Apraxia, which leaves him almost completely unintelligible to his peers. This story is told from the viewpoint of his older sister, as she is well aware of his challenges and his triumphs. Instead of exclussively focusing on what Reed is unable to do, this story portrays the many things he can do with his peers, in spie of his inability to speak to them. ''My Brother is Very Special'' gently teaches young children about acceptance in a way that they cna developmentally understand. By reading this story to young children, we encourage them to ask questions about differences they see in others. In return, this soothes their fears and fosters their acceptance. Although the main character in this book has a speech disorder, it is written in a way that makes it universal. With developmentally appropriate text and bright, whimsical illustrations, ''My Brother is Very Special'' is perfect for all young children.