The Making of My Special Hand: Madison's Story

by Jamee Riggio Heelan, Nicola Simmonds (Illustrator)

The touching true story of one family's triumph over difficulty and the doctors who helped them achieve their goal. Experience the curiosity and eager anticipation of a small girl born without her left hand, as she tells her story of being fitted for her "special" hand, a prosthesis, which will allow her to easily pick up toys, throw a ball, and carry her doll.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Abigail Mayeske · Rating 4 out of 5]

I believe that books like this are very important to expose children to when they are young. This shows the steps and special doctors it takes to get a "special arm". I enjoyed watching her learn how to use the new arm and how she was learning to do normal things in her own way. The only thing I dislike is the pictures, they were a bit blurry and showed the little girl upset when her new arm was being attached. Though I enjoy it from an adult's perspective, I would have other books to show to young children in addition to this one. But I overall enjoy this book. It is a great way to start the conversation about diversity, and how children who have disabilities can make adjustments to be just as capable as everyone else.

[Tandria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow, I must say this was a very informative book. It really went through details of how Maddison had her new hand special made. She was born with only one hand and had to get a prosthesis as when she got a little older for one. She was very excited and kept a positive attitude through the entire process. This book is god for anyone to read. Great about a child with a disability and very encouraging. I enjoyed reading it and learning how a prosthesis is made and put on. I'm sure you will enjoy it as well.

[Jada · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book because of the step by step experiences and emotions Madison was going through. It brings the reader into the process of learning about Madison's new hand. I think this book would bring to light the other about individuals who need prosthetics. This concept that the book touches on would be difficult to present to young children but I believe it is an amazing book for older children in the middle school setting.

[Karissa Youngblood]

This book is a story about a little girl who was born without an arm and how she is able to get a special prosthetic hand that works through the signals in her muscles. The story is told from the little girl's perspective and does a wonderfuk job describing everything in a way that children can understand. This book has a lot of interesting information in it, but the illustrations seem a little outdated/not very interesting to look at.
Overall I think this is a good book with a lot of helpful information, it would be especial beneficial for children that are going through a major change such as this. However, I feel like it would be hard fro children to really understand and connect with the illustrations.

[Nicole Bell]

Exposure to books like this is important for typical and exceptional children. Everyone needs to see themselves in a book. And everyone needs to learn about others. Madison was born with one hand. This book documents the process by which she acquires her first prosthesis. She knows that more “special hands” will follow, “When I get bigger, I will need a new one, the way my growing feet need new shoes”. Different types of “helper hands” and the steps taken in making Madison’s “helper hand” were clearly illustrated. When using this book in a classroom I would discuss with the children similarities and differences. There will be more similarities than differences.

[Sa Ho · Rating 5 out of 5]

This enlightening story offers a race look at the making and fitting of a prosthesis, a helper hand for Madison, a little girl was born without her left hand. The author used honest language of a child and the words are really give meaning to help the readers understand easily and feel excited with small girl. This story also talks about loving care of medical team from the Children's Amputee Program and her mother and friends.

[Blanca R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this story help me as a teacher to talk about any accident a child has had during he is in class or outside school.
LE. Each child can participate doing am activity pretending how take care of a friend who has had an accident.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the explanation of how her hand was made. I though it might be good for children to understand prosthetics.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

the is really interesting. didn't know that babies got prosyhetises(?). shows how one is made. i have no personal interest in the subject, but learned a lot, great art and well written.

[Claire Davis]

This is a touching story about a little girl born without an arm, and explaining the process she went through. This is helpful in understanding how different children face different difficulties. This would be a good book to show children how different ever learner can be.

[Rileigh Grady]

This touching story of a young girl who has no hand and how she learns everyday how to do things so she is a "normal" child. This would be great to talk to kids about accepting others no matter what.

[Paige Martin]

A little girl named Madison was born without a hand. Her parents decided to bring her to the doctor to fit her for a helper hand. There were many options to choose from but the one she ended up getting was myo-electric helper hand which is controlled by a battery and muscle movements. It goes through the process of how they make the mold of her arm and how she learns to use it to play.
My cousin actually creates these prosthetics for patients in need so this is pretty interesting to me. I think they did a great job of explaining the process in a simple way that still gets the information across. I also like how they used step by step photos for the process.
I would use this book for explaining the human body and situations which are different than we are used to. I could include an art project with this book where we mold our hands like Madison did.