Giveaway Winner!!!!!!

It is a pleasure to announce the winner of the 2nd Annual Summer Giveaway Hop...........

!!!!!!Ashley Evans!!!!!!

Congratulations Ashley! Be on the look out for an email confirming your prize!

Good Deed Friday: Loyalty

True friends do not abandon you when you are in trouble. 

Ali ibn Abi Talib (ra) said: "A friend cannot be considered a friend unless he is tested on three occasions: in time of need, behind your back and after your death."

Recommended Picture Book: Keep Your Ear on the Ball

Title: Keep Your Ear on the Ball

Author: Genevieve Petrillo

Illustrator: Lea Lyon

Publisher: Tillbury House Publishers: Aug 31, 2007

Topic: Self-Reliance, Visual Impairment, Children with Disabilities, Ball Games, Schools, Respect

Age: 6 and up

Opening: 

Davey looked like every other new kid that ever came into our class. Ms. Madison walked him in and said, "Boys and girls, this is Davey." He was medium height. He had medium brown hair and medium brown eyes. A regular kid.

Summary:

Everybody wants to help Davey. But Davey has one answer for all, "Thanks, but no thanks." Davey is blind; however, he is perfectly capable of doing everything on his own. His well- meaning classmates stop offering help when they see how able Davey is. They respect his self-reliance?until he tries to play kickball. After several missed kicks and a trampled base keeper, no one wants Davey on his team. 

Working together, the children figure out a way to offer help that respects Davey's unique abilities and his desire for freedom.

Resources:

Activities and discussion points at Tillbury House Publishers 

Blindness awareness for the class. Visual Impairment: Classroom Activities. 

Why I like this book:

I must confess, I teared up at the end of this book *grin* it is such a wonderful story that teaches children the value and importance of interdependence and independence. It is a great gift to be able to help someone, especially a friend with a disability. But it is an even greater gift to be able to help someone help by allowing them to do things for themselves but still be there for them. In this story, Davey's classmates do just that! They learn that he is quite capable of even kick ball when they give him a chance, and a genius plan that allows Davey to prove his abilities :D This book is a great addition to any home or classroom library. It offers a great opportunity to explore and learn more about disabilities like visual impairment and how to respond to the visually impaired with respect.