Product Description

All children ask questions that are difficult to answer. What is the best response when a child points out that a disabled child or adult looks "different?" How can a parent talk about differences while emphasising the things all people have in common? In this book, remarkable for its sensitivity and generosity of spirit, Maria Shriver uses her storytelling art to provide some answers. She tells the story of eight-year-old Kate, who, while at the park with her mother, notices Timmy, a boy who looks and behaves differently from the other children she knows. Kate wonders if there is something "wrong" with Timmy, but when her mother introduces her to Timmy, the seeds of friendship are planted. Soon Kate and Timmy are laughing and playing together, and Kate learns that she and Timmy have a lot in common - that in fact, there is nothing "wrong" with Timmy at all.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #771372 in Books
• Published on: 2002-02-21
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 48 pages

Customer Reviews

Too slushy
I found this book far too sentimental and much too long. It wasn't clear what was "wrong" with Timmy (except that he wears glasses), but I didn't like the implication that we should feel sorry for him.
The book seemed to deal more with how God created all little children the same inside and how everyone needs to get along together... the children to whom I read this book were wriggling and wandering off long before I'd finished it.
The author evidently had the best of intentions and the illustrations are beautiful, but 'Susan Laughs' shows how it should be done: simple, matter-of-fact and strictly no preaching.

a good thoughtful read
Our kids are always asking questions, & some of them give us pause as to how to answer them. One such question is when our kids see someone with a disability. Unlike us adults who turn a blind polite eye, our kids blurt out what's in their minds. What's wrong with that person? How we answer them is important, to ourselves as well as our children.

Both the reader & the readee will learn much from this book because it's one thing to have the answers for your children's questions, it's a whole other thing to know where to go from there, & WHAT'S WRONG WITH TIMMY? gives you quite a few directions.

A good thoughtful read, about an awkward subject, told in an uncomplicated & expansive way. Very well done & the Sandra Speidel's illustrations are enchanting!