A Very Special Critter

written and illustrated by Gina and Mercer Mayer

1993

Age ranges: Grades PreK-2

Genre(s): multicultural, illustrated

Story summary: In true Mercer Mayer fashion,  A Very Special Critter deals with a situation that comes up in everyday life.

  A special student is coming to Little Critter's classroom. This student will have a wheelchair.  The teacher lets the other students know ahead of time and encourages them to be kind to the new student and make him feel welcome.  Little Critter is nervous because he has never seen anyone in a wheelchair before but  his father assures him that being in a wheelchair does not make the new student any different, it just means he may need help from time to time.  The story goes on to show that Little Critter and the other students welcome the new student, Alex, and soon find he is not altogether different from them.  Sure, he needs help sometimes but so do they.  There are many more things he can do than things he cannot do.

My reaction:   With the calm unassuming way that the subject is approached and the great lessons it brings out, this book would be a great way to introduce special needs and diversity to a classroom of students.