Somebody Called Me A Retard Today And My Heart Felt Sad by David Garner

Makes sense: aren’t parents and other close family members children’s first teachers? This duality suggests that the book might be best shared one-on-one between a nostalgic adult and a child who’s developed some self-confidence, having learned a thing or two from a parent, grandparent, older relative, or classroom instructor.Ī sweet, soft conversation starter and a charming gift. Somebody Called Me a Retard Today- And My Heart Felt Sad Ellen O'Shaughnessy 2.67 3 ratings1 review 'A brief, but effective vignette, nicely visualized in Garner's simple, lyrically sketched illustrations'. Alternatively, readers won’t fail to note that this small book, illustrated with gentle soy-ink drawings and featuring an adult-child bear duo engaged in various sedentary and lively pursuits, could just as easily be about human parent- (or grandparent-) child pairs: some of the softly colored illustrations depict scenarios that are more likely to occur within a home and/or other family-oriented setting. However, the voice could equally be that of an adult, because who can’t look back upon teachers or other early mentors who gave of themselves and offered their pupils so much? Indeed, some of the self-aware, self-assured expressions herein seem perhaps more realistic as uttered from one who’s already grown. This gentle ode to a teacher’s skill at inspiring, encouraging, and being a role model is spoken, presumably, from a child’s viewpoint.

Mellon, Department of Library & Information Studies, East Carolina University, Greenville, NCĬopyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.A paean to teachers and their surrogates everywhere. It is doubtful that children will find the book convincing or reassuring. There are no characters who change and grow, and there's no story line to catch and hold the attention of young listeners.

The girl's abilities are presented in a defensive manner, rather than through a subtle unfolding of plot. There is nothing to help youngsters empathize with a retarded child who is being ridiculed. Beginning with the cover, a preachy tone is set. The book's didacticism, however, gets in the way of its message. Such statements as `` `I take care of Cecil' '' take on real meaning with the accompanying picture that shows the child parading proudly, carrying an overflowing dish complete with saucer to a very fat, contented-looking cat. The illustrations are simple, brightly colored, and add dimension to the text. I cried.' '' The cartoonlike child is cheered up when her father reminds her of the ways in which she is like other boys and girls: having friends, doing chores, loving animals, winning races, and having feelings. PreSchool-Grade 1- The opening text reads, `` `When somebody called me a ``retard'' today.

Somebody Called Me A Retard Today And My Heart Felt Sad by David Garner