Don't Call Me Special: Helping Kids Understand Disability and Respect for Others

by Pat Thomas

Are there kids in your life who need a comforting and reassuring way to learn about physical disabilities? This is the perfect book and will show the grit that is shown when people with a physical disabilities or special needs live happy and full lives. Parents, teachers, and gift givers will The A First Look At series promotes positive interaction among children, parents, and teachers, and encourage kids to ask questions and confront social and emotional questions that sometimes present problems. Books feature appealing full-color illustrations on every page plus a page of advice to parents and teachers.

Genres: Disability, Picture Books, Childrens, Nonfiction, Education, School

32 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2001

About the author

There is more than one Pat Thomas in the Goodreads catalog. This entry focuses on Pat^Thomas, children's author.

Pat is a trained psychotherapist, naturopath and journalist. After working as a journalist and broadcaster in the USA, she now works in the field of child development and writes for various publications including 'Practical Parenting'.

Reviews

[Kathryn Dooley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book takes a look at all different types of disabilities. It discusses the way that people often view people with disabilities, and offers ways for people to ignore these assumptions and views. It tells about special equipment that is used by people with disabilities. It also talks about how these children may look different on the outside, but on the inside they are the same.

This book is a great introduction to understanding disabilities for children. It tells them about what children with disabilities might be going through, the thoughts they have, the struggles they face, and the dreams they have. It teaches children that people with disabilities might need some help occasionally, but overall they have the ability to accomplish anything they set their minds to.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great introduction to various types of disabilities for children. I especially loved the agency it gave to children to empower them to self-advocate. It also debunks many myths about disability and is a great reminder that things aren't always as they seem.

[Arieon Beasley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thinking on how we give certain groups of people labels and separate them from others, this book allows the reader to get a glimpse into the world of people with disabilities. I like how the book incorporates the concept of people's first language. It allows a reader to be exposed to different children with disabilities and to those who may appear to be slightly different. It can teach young children to be more open to except everyone and try to be inclusive and to not judge a book by its cover. Teaches us to think about what we say before we say it and how certain labels make certain groups feel left out or don't really make them feel good.

[Ndengo Bwanga · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very interesting. It’s a perfect book for parents and teachers to support the disabled children, and give them a better understanding. Through this book, children can find out about special equipment that is available to help them. Also, children can learn how people of all ages can deal with disabilities, and live a happy lifestyle. Because, everyone deserves to be happy and enjoy his/her life.

[Kierra Davis]

This book is about learning some of the different disabilities children have. It expresses that just because a child or a person has a disability, doesn’t mean they don’t want to join in on a certain sport activities. We shouldn’t judge people who look different than us and never make fun of anybody. Everyone in the world is unique and have different things about us that makes us different.

[Domonique Mattis]

When children start going to school it is really their first opportunity to be around and work with people who are different from them. When children are young it is hard for them to understand the difference between themselves and the children who are different from them. Children will base their judgement off what they see if that is all they know. Don’t Call Me Special by Pat Thomas is a wonderful book that teaches children that just because someone is different doesn’t mean they are “special” or too different to fit in. This book highlight how there are many disabilities in the world and how children can be born with them or they can develop them through some form of an accident. Thomas takes the time to explain how some things are harder for children with disabilities and some things are easier. Thomas mentions how children with disabilities use to go to special schools with special teachers but as time went on children with disabilities were included in classes with their peers who did not have disabilities. Thomas goes on to say how it is better to be in a classroom all together because we can all learn from each other. This is a great book to have in the classroom because it teaches the children that just because a child has a disability that does not mean they are so different from everyone else. It shows how when other children judge the child with a disability it hurts their feelings and when they are accepted and treated as an equal they feel happy. This books will help children develop a sense of other people’s feelings and how everyone has feeling and we should be mindful of other people’s feelings.

[Ms. Arca · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great start at conversations about DisAbility. Lots to complicate -- but a solid start !!

[Amilia Cranston]

I enjoyed this book. I think this book finds great ways to explain to younger children about disabilities. This book teaches children not only about disabilities, but how to respect those that are different from themselves. I enjoyed that this book also helps to answer questions they may have about disabilities. I would recommend this book for all children. I would recommend this book for all children because it teaches children with or without a disability about disabilities and it is important for children to know about disabilities, even if they don't have any of their own. This book is great to teach children how to include children with disabilities or some of their more challenging traits, etc. The information contained in this book is very useful for all children and could provide insight for parents and teachers about their child.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a picture book which explores the topic of disabilities, how children with disabilities cope with their differences and how everybody is different and unique but should be treated equally.
This is a great book and I think anyone with a particular interest in SEN would really like it. This is the first book I have come across that discusses the issue of disabilities at a child’s level, although I’m sure there are lots more out there. The book is written in a very simplistic way and it is definitely aimed at younger children. It is a book which would be very useful for Early Years and Key Stage 1 teachers and also for parents.
The book challenges misconceptions and stereotypes about people with disabilities, and how we often judge people by appearance but in actual fact many people have disabilities which we cannot see (e.g. learning difficulties). Through the book’s simple discussion and friendly illustrations, it encourages social interaction between children without a disability and children with a disability.
The book is one which should be used for a class (or family) discussion about disabilities. Some of the pages include questions to help guide a discussion and there is a really useful and thought provoking section at the back on ‘How to use this book’. This section suggests activities which you could do in the classroom to help children’s awareness and understanding of what it is like to have a disability, for example by blindfolding a child so they get an insight into what it is like to be blind.
Overall a very useful and pleasant book. Makes me want to read more of the books in this series.

[Bianca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don’t call me special is a vibrant picture book that explores the topic of disability in an intriguing way. This book addresses misconceptions that may children have of disabled children, that they are slow, they can not fit in, and they can not be played with. Its use of probing questions is highly effective in challenging stereotypes. Its direct, bold approach is straight to the point and gives children a clear picture that although disabled children learn in a different way and at a different pace they can learn to do the same things that other children can do.

Young children may not understand disability, however it is becoming increasingly more likely that disabled children and SENs students do enter mainstream school. This book encourages social interaction, as children learn to interact with people that are different to them. This book explores disability vey well, looking at a wide range of issues around disabilities and the different types of disabilities there are. Children learn about the equipment that disabled children use and most importantly how their equipments aids them in life rather than hinders them. As this book being called special “makes them sound too different from everyone else.” On that note the book illustrates that a disabled person would use a wheelchair like a person would use their glasses-it helps them to reach their potential. This is a beautiful concept and children should learn to address people from all walks of life with respect and consideration.

This book could be a useful resource for teachers and trainee teachers alike!

[Kirsten · Rating 2 out of 5]

This would be a good book for families to read at home, perhaps when their child may have a classmate with a disability for the first time. The back of the book contains a page guiding adults on how to start a first conversation about disabilities, and lists other resources and suggested readings. The questions in the text would also be a great opportunity during one-on-one reading time to let a child talk in-depth and express any concerns they had about disabilities.

At times the text can be a bit complex – it talks about how you shouldn’t make assumptions about people (a potentially difficult concept for a preschooler), and defines the word “assume” in the glossary in the back of the book. The pictures in the book mostly depict children with physical disabilities, though there is one picture of a child reading Braille, and text in another section that some disabilities “make it hard to learn as fast as others.” The book is by no means exhaustive. Even for an introductory book, I would have liked to see more variety in the disabilities depicted, and maybe some more labeling of details (like the Braille reader, or the adaptive computer pointer) to spark richer conversation.

[Suzanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice, age appropriate book introducing the concept of disability. Covers misconceptions and questions that children at a young age might have about those who have disabilities. shows how people with disabilities live full lives and enjoy the same things that they do.

A fantastic book for early years and early KS1

I particularly like the open questions written in the book, this could be worked through in a circle time and help make the book interactive as well as for independent readers or LSA groups to help them think about the topic before going into activities after.

The whole series looks like a good set to have in the class a a go to for different situations such as; bullying, sibling rivalry, death, family break up and health and fitness.

[Sian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book allows children the opportunity to explore different disabilities and the help available to people with disabilities. It allows children to look at the equipment some individuals may need and that people with a disability are able to live a happy and full life.
This book would be great to use with younger children in introducing the concept of disability and differences. It would also be good to use within a classroom that involved children with disabilities to ensure children's understanding and acceptance within the class.
I would recommend this book for younger children to read such as KS1 and possibly lower KS2,and it would be a good book to introduce in Reception to promote children's awareness.

[Noelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great starting point for children. It will help introduce them to others in their community with various abilities. It was easy and enjoyable to read with my 5 year old. And it provided great discussion points. In addition to the diversely-abled children pictured, I also appreciated the racially diverse characters featured as well.

The reason I am giving it 4 stars instead of 5 is due to two reasons:

1. The book presents that others may have disabilities and teaches from that angle, rather than allowing much room for the idea that the child reading it might also have a disability. One page asks questions like, "Do you know anyone with a disability? What are they good at? What is difficult for them? What are you good at? What is difficult for you?". While this is not necessarily exclusive, and any child could answer it... it does have somewhat of a "compare and contrast" feel to it, with the assumed position that the child reading does not have a disability. This was not true in our case, and the questions felt a bit odd as I asked them. I'd call this a minor complaint, but there it is.

2. Given the title "Don't Call Me Special", I wish more had been done to explain the term "special". There is a short description about children who have gone to special schools with special teachers in the past. A few pages later, the author mentions that kids with disabilities dislike being made fun of. To a young child whose only context of "special" is a positive one, my son still didn't understand. Wouldn't someone want to go to a special school? Isn't it great to be called special? I only wish the author had been more explicit in connecting the dots between the word special and how the word has been used to degrade others.

Overall, I highly recommend this book for parents and teachers to read with their young children!

[Richard Avalos · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book’s aim is to bring children’s awareness to various disabilities and the struggles and equipment that may be required with when living with certain disabilities. This book does a good job in exploring these complex topics in a simple manner so that its readers would be able to understand these physical disabilities. This book does a good job in introducing certain disabilities by describing what the disability is, what concerns there are, and what kind of equipment may be needed in order to live with this disability. Further, it does this so well because it takes its intended audience (young
aged children) and allows them to get a simple first look at certain differences amongst other
children they may experience. This picture book does a good job developing certain characters
because it clearly identifies the outlined traits of the children with disabilities. Further, characterization in children’s books is simple because protagonists are often children who embody child-like qualities. This picture book does a good job in having diverse characters with
disabilities, showing children that these disabilities stretch across all ethnicities and races.
Further, it allows children to see that we are all equal no matter race or disability. Lastly, this
book is a good tool to have when having young children or to have in a library because it allows
parents to start a discussion with children about certain disabilities and allows children to really
understand that we are all the same no matter our limitations.

[Veronica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is written by a psychotherapist and counselor, so I would say this information is pretty reliable. It is called ‘a first look at book’. This book is made to give students, children, and parents a brief overview of what have a disability means and what it looks like. It starts off with a nice hook to engage students while also debunking a common myth. It discusses how people should not judge or make assumptions about other people just because they are different. The book also discusses accommodations people with disabilities might need. For example- ramps, sinks, keyboard, glasses, and even scissors. It also mentions how children who have disabilities may learn things in a different way, either slower or faster than others.
Okay, so there is a bunch of information in this book. I do think this could be a nice book for students to become introduced to the idea of disabilities. I will say that this book is more on the blunt side; it is written in a no-fiction type style. I do like how throughout some of the pages there are boxes labeled ‘What about You?’ with different questions in them because it gives the audience a chance to connect with the text. Now, this book was written in 2012, so I do feel like the illustrations are dated. They used a lot of those flat colors with minimum emotion. However, at the back of the book, a glossary is included along with a section on how you would use this book most effectively. Overall, it had some nice aspects but was not my favorite.

[Ashley Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books provides insight of what it is like to live a disabled life. This allows children to explore and learn about disabilities, equipment used for disabled children, and how one deals with living a disabled life. I think that this book is so important because it allows “typical” children to understand the hardships and struggles that disabled children deal with every day. Growing up with a disability is something that others need to be educated on. What I enjoyed the most about the book is that this book dives into how to interact with disabled children. More specifically, the author promotes the interaction between disabled children and everyone else that they encounter. I could definitely see this book as being problematic. Some people could take terms or parts of this novel offensively. This whole book introduces social issues and how to deal with them. The representation in this novel is unlike no other. Thomas is promoting the equality of all children or adults with or without a disability. This is so important to me because I believe that everyone is the same despite their mental or physical abilities. I would definitely recommend this book to others. No matter what the age is, I think that this is a novel that is educational for all different types of people.

[Lindsey Wingfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review: I gave it 5 stars because it puts a bigger perspective on how not just people that can't walk or talk have disabilities, it includes things that young children wouldn't think about. I think it's good to recognize these factors to help them learn that everyone is different but we all want to be treated the same. The artistic elements are detailed and show challenged students interacting with students that don't have a disability making it more of a real world picture.

Summary: First it asks a question of who you think would like to join in at the playground. After it explain why we probably thought the girl in the wheelchair however it was just a boy. It's because we assume things about people and that can hurt their feelings. Everyone has things they can do easily and things that are hard for them. It tells about the special equipment that everyone uses such as scissors. How their are many different types of disabilities and people with them disabilities don't like to be called special, because they go to the same school and grow to do the things they want to do just like you.

[Stephie Healy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don’t Call Me Special is a very good children’s book. This story talks about how there are lots of different types of disabilities, but that having one of them does not make you any less good than the other kids. The book shows kids that everybody is different in a way and that everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. The book explains that there are different types of disabilities and mentions that each one can be treated differently. It also explains that sometimes kids with disabilities may have extra teachers or helpers to work with them and that this is totally normal. The major themes of this text are disabilities awareness and inclusion. I feel a personal connection to this book because I have a cousin who has a disability. I think that if kids knew more about this topic and knew how to deal with people with disabilities, people like my cousin would feel more included and accepted. I strongly recommend this book because it gives kids a first glimpse at what disabilities are like. It gives them their first introduction to disabilities awareness.

[Kiarra · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Don't Call Me Special" is a great picture book that addresses common questions and concerns about physical disabilities in a straightforward and comforting manner. Younger children can learn about different types of disabilities, special equipment that can assist the disabled, and how people of all ages can cope with disabilities and live happy and full lives. This book teaches children that no two people are alike in every way, that everyone has strengths and weaknesses, and that everyone may need assistance if they experience obstacles. I really like how the book encourages children to support and embrace their disabled peers when they are frustrated and upset when they are mocked. Additionally, it aims to teach children that getting a disability isn't a big deal because, in the end, people with disabilities can be better at doing or learning things than normal people. I didn't like how the illustrations didn't match the text and how amateurish the illustrations were.

[Jenna Kistner · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book "Don't Call Me Special" gives children a first look into recognizing and answering questions they may or may not know about people with disabilities. In the book there are different examples shown of finding out about disabilities. Along with finding out about disabilities, children will learn also about some of the equipment that a person with a disability may use. I believe it is important for children to recognize those pieces of equipment so that they know what their purpose is for. Overall, I would recommend this book because it is a simple way of getting children started in recognizing what a disability is. Another reason I would recommend this book is so that children know people with disabilities can live their life despite the challenges they may face. This book is a must read for teachers and younger children. Having teachers read this book to younger children will help them out especially in classrooms that have an inclusive environment.

[Savannah-Alicia Lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. As an aspiring SEN teacher, I think this book portrays the wonderful message that everyone is different and that everyone has their own strength. It also informs children that not all disabilities are visible. Not all children with disabilities are in a wheelchair or use a crutch to walk. Some children with disabilities look 'ordinary' and struggle with tasks like reading.

I feel children can explore disability and have their questions answered when reading this book. They can learn about how children or even adults with disabilities are just like everyone else and live happy and full lives.

A well thought of story that explores disability in a reassuring and simple way.

Really looking forward to reading the books on death, health, family break ups and bullying by Pat Thomas after reading this.

[Luda Gogolushko · Rating 2 out of 5]

The idea behind this is great, but the execution was too adult-driven. Definitely not a story; more like an educated blog post in a book--example text: “When you assume, you are just making a guess. Assuming things about people can hurt their feelings and make them feel very left out.” I really don't see a kid wanting to pick this book up. It's great the book talks about being different and unique in your own way & explaining how to think/understand things. “Years ago, children with disabilities went to special schools with special teachers. Because of this people started calling them special.” But this feels like an adult jumping around talking about different things without a linear theme that connects all the pages together. A Rainbow of Friends by Hallinan has the same idea and is more exciting & fun to read.

[Alison Leach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pat Thomas used good illustrations throughout this book to help students understand the true meaning behind students with disabilities. She doesn't use characters but more instead teaches us about students with disabilities. The author makes sure to include all of the disabilities and the different ways we can see them in our everyday lives, she also explains that students with disabilities are no different, and with a little extra help can achieve the same goals. This book brings a lot of good meanings to surface, especially when it talks about how these kids don't like to be called 'special' because it makes them feel different than everyone else. She teaches the students through her book how to play and interact with these students, and to get along with everyone. There are also pictures that support her story, and show through the pictures different disabilities through kids.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are things I like and don't like about this book. It talks directly to kids about assumptions they might make, and I am always on the fence about that: it's helpful if your child has already made that assumption, but if they haven't, why seed it? OTOH the didactic tone worked well for me and my 3yo when explaining what assumptions are and why they can hurt. I appreciated the mention of "helpers" (and how sometimes they try to do too much) since my child sees another child at school with a helper. The illustrations are cute, but everyone has the same facial features and facial expressions even if their skin tones are different; this was particularly unnerving on a page where the text says "everyone is different" but there are two nearly identical dark-skinned children depicted and two pale-skinned red-headed children who are just different heights!

[Kayla Angeletti · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a nice book which gave me the message to never judge people based on what they may look like! I got the message as soon as I read because the author asked which student looked like they hated sports where the most common answer may have been the girl in the wheelchair, but that is not the correct answer. The book then goes on to talk about how everyone is unique and that people have different needs than others. It also talks about how some people with disabilities used to go to a special school but now everyone goes to school together, which I think is important because they deserve to be by and talk to the other students. This book basically talks about how not everyone is the same and about the needs of people with disabilities. I loved reading this book and the message I got from it. I would recommend it!

[Parker Thornton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't Call Me Special: A First Look at Disability is by Pat Thomas, the story talks about many different disabilities, and how people make misconceptions about people with disabilities. The book goes on to tell you about the different equipment that is used by people with disabilities. One more thing that the book talks about is how important it is to stay positive when dealing with situations. The key take away from this is book is that everyone is the same on the inside no matter how they look, and act on the outside.

This book is a great way to start a conversation about disabilities, and is a really good read. There are lots of important life lessons throughout the book. I have always liked books that teaches students that everyone is equal. This is why I rated this book the way I did. I recommend this book for anyone who wants to read it.

[Ashleigh Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book talks about physical disabilities and the differences these children face and answers questions and concerns in a simple understanding way. This book gives recommendations to help children with disabilities and and any specific equipment they may need. I would recommend this book to parents with children with or without disabilities because it can not only help them understand their children with disabilities but can also help parents who have children without disabilities explain to their children that just because someone may be different than them does not mean there aren't similarities as well. This book was very well written and informed for everyone and can help teach people about different disabilities and how to navigate through that.

[Garrett Cartwright · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book goes through why you should look at everyone the same and treat everyone the way you want to be treated. This helps children with disabilities fit in with the crowd and understand that they also have a place in the world around them. it teaches children to keep that same level of respect for them as they do other peers and to treat them like any other person in the room. This can help a child with a disability own who they are as a person and learn to see themselves as someone who can accomplish anything. This book is a great way to teach other children to let those who have a disability be themselves and not see them as any less. i love This books theme overall. this should definitely be something teachers read to their students.

[Lana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book introduced about children who are physical disability. It helps children understand their friends who have various physical disabilities and what they need in daily life. Understanding that is important for children who have friends with physical discomfort in classroom. They become easier to be marginalized or teased by children because children are more likely to recognize their disability. In addition, The questions introduced in the middle of the book can be used as a useful discussion material for teachers because they greatly help to raise awareness of children with physical disability and how help them in the classroom.