Someone Special, Just Like You

Brown and Ortiz show that the differences that seem to separate children with handicaps from others are not important. What is important is the common delight in life—a desire to love, learn and play, and to be accepted for themselves as other children are.

"Shows preschool disabled children actively playing and learning. . . . Should help the disabled gain acceptance from other children."--Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books.

Brown and Ortiz show that the differences that seem to separate children with handicaps from others are not important. What is important is the common delight in life--a desire to love, learn and play, and to be accepted for themselves as other children are.

Children's Literature

As the title suggests, the author's emphasis is the distinctiveness of all children. Photographs join Brown's words in showing how children who are hearing, sight or mobility impaired enjoy the same things as all children. Difficulties these children encounter is also discussed, though not at all in a heavy-handed way. The tender ending stresses the capacity of love which all children possess.

Tricia Brown is also the author of Hello, Amigos! and L'Chaim: The Story of a Russian Émigré Boy. She has traveled extensively in southeast Asia and is a member of the Chinese Culture foundation. She has a master's degree in international multicultural education and lives in San Francisco, California.

Fran Ortiz, an award-winning photojournalist, was also the photographer for Hello, Amigos! In 1981 he was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for his social documentary on the Mono Indians. He lives in Kensington, California.