These revised and updated volumes introduce the topic of physical disabilities as experienced by children. Each book describes the featured disability, relates how it occurs, and shows kids involved in various activities (e.g., deaf children enjoying music through its vibrations). The blandly written texts are accompanied by photos of disabled children; often they're pictured interacting happily with able-bodied kids. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

PreS-Gr 2-Supporting national social studies standards, these books offer extremely brief discussions of special-needs children. Written and formatted in an uninspiring textbook style, each double-page spread introduces one concept, with a color photograph on the left and one or two simple sentences in large print on the right. Each cover shows a child interacting with other youngsters, but the internal pictures rarely show a special-needs child with other classmates. If the point is to understand and accept individual differences, how can one not show photographs of children with and without special needs working and playing together? Despite the controlled vocabulary, youngsters will need adult guidance to make the most of these titles.-Pamela K. Bomboy, Chesterfield County Public Schools, VA Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.