KID STUFF : Special Books for Special Children

In “We Can Do It!” vibrant color photographs show children at the beach, working at computers and cooking. These children, however, have disabilities such as spina bifida, Down’s syndrome, cerebral palsy and blindness.

The photographs and simple text by Laura Dwight are designed to appeal to all children (Checkerboard Press, $7.95). But the 40-page picture book has a special meaning for a child with a disability, said Terry Savoy, Checkerboard’s president. Savoy’s 13-year-old son, Patrick, has Down’s syndrome.

“A child with a disability can sit down and look at this book and he doesn’t feel abnormal,” Savoy said. Debra Shine, Checkerboard’s editor-in-chief, first came to Savoy a few years ago with the idea of including a child with Down’s syndrome in a series of photo board books for babies.

Savoy has published three other books that focus on children with disabilities.

“Special Friends at the Park” by Rochelle Bunnett ($7.95) includes children of all abilities playing with children who have special needs. Savoy says this book is a good tool for educating kids about children who are different.

“Animal Signs” and “Word Signs” are simple word books by Debra Shine ($4.95 each) that use sign language.