The Value of Determination: Story of Helen Keller

ValueTales Series

by Ann Donegan Johnson, Steve Pileggi (Illustrator)

New is New

Genres: Biography, Childrens, History, Picture Books, Nonfiction, Kids, School

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1976

Reviews

[Holly]

I had this series of books when I was a kid, and I have really fond memories of them. I found a few updated versions of the stories and now read them to my kids. They actually ask for them pretty frequently. They each include an "inner voice" that speaks to the main character and encourages them to use positive values and traits in their lives. This book gives a quick look at Helen Keller and the determination that she would have needed to be able to accomplish all that she did in her life.

[Henry Grant]

True life story. Applies to our daily life. Good for primary students.

[Rebekah]

This is the biography of Helen Keller. She was born perfectly normal into a loving family. A high fever at the age of two years left this little girl permanently blind and deaf. Her parents felt sorry for their daughter and allowed her to behave anyway that she wished. Helen refused to bathe and was acting out all of the time. When her father learned of a school to help children like Helen, he employed a teacher, Ann Sullivan, to work with Helen one-on-one. This remarkable and determined teacher taught Helen to read by spelling words on the palm of her hand. Helen achieved many goals, learning to speak, and even graduating from Radcliffe College with honors. The character quality of determination was essential for this process to occur.

[Jessica]

My 7 year old brought this to me to read to her after a particularly grim parenting day. My parents bought it for me during my recovery from a bad accident during 3rd grade. Yes, it's dated, but the principles apply. Namely, determination in the face of challenges, whatever they may be. Helen Keller was an amazing woman. Inspiring to read it to my girls.

[Disney Princess Recovery]

This is an old school series that I read as a little kid...I vividly remember the biographies of Louis Pasteur and Elizabeth Fry, and the cartoonish illustrations. I'll have to see if they're carried in our library so I can re-read them.

[May Ling]

A great starter book for those who want to insight into a very strong young woman. I like this series as it attempts to teach values to young adults and couches the stories in terms of these values. Still remembered decades after I read the book.

[Shelley]

We loved this one. It is one of the easiest books for younger kids in the series.
we learned about obstacles and about communicating in other ways than just our verbal words. As a follow up activity we learned more about morse code, sign language, braille, etc.

[Amara]

I adore Helen Keller, so I picked this up thrifting. It's informative about Helen, but there are better books for children about Helen, so this one isn't worth it. It has a weird introduction by three mice who are named Sight, Sound, and Speech. And they whisper in her ear. ODD.

[P.S. Winn]

I have the 24 pack collection of these books and love them. They are great to read with the kids and start them on the quest of learning or for a brush up coarse for others. In this book readers learn the story of Helen Keller a woman determined to over come the obstacles handed to her from birth.

[C.G. Fewston]

I read this book when I was a kid and remember it fondly, and will have to revisit it with my children.

[Prabhat sharma]

The Value of Determination: Story of Helen Keller (ValeTales Series) by Ann Donegan Johnson, Illustrator -Steve Pileggi- Children’s Illustrated Colour Picture Book- The book narrates the story of Helen Keller. Helen was born perfectly normal child into a loving family. A high fever at the age of two years left this little girl permanently blind and deaf. Her parents felt sorry for their daughter and allowed her to behave anyway that she wished. Helen refused to bathe and was acting out all of the time. When her father learned of a school to help children like Helen, he employed a teacher, Ann Sullivan, to work with Helen one-on-one. This remarkable and determined teacher taught Helen to read by spelling words on the palm of her hand. Helen achieved many goals, learning to speak, and even graduating from Radcliffe College with honors. The character quality of determination was essential for this process to occur. Coloured illustrations help the reader in relating to the story. It is a motivating story for readers of all ages.

[Cecile]

3.7

[Diana Martin]

I really enjoy this series for the kids. It is fast paced, and repeats the Value it is teaching throughout.

[Hareem Hassan]

Amazing

[Macy]

Read to my students to align with our health standards on not giving up.

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams]

An inspiring story about Helen Keller than even those 9 years old can appreciate.

[Angelia]

"the marvelous richness of human experience would lose something of rewarding joy if there were no limitations to overcome" Helen Keller 1880-1968