Overview

OE is counting down the days until Friday. It's her favorite day of the week. Each day she has fun, but she knows she will have fabulous fun on Friday. She can't wait for her special time playing boccia with Dad and her coach, Austin. By sharing their story, we celebrate OE's and Austin's many strengths and abilities. OE and Austin have cerebral palsy. They use communication devices and wheelchairs. ""I am so excited to see this book available for people of all ages to read. OE is introducing the public to the amazing children and families of the disability world. Her smile and personality shine. OE you are a real SUPER STAR."" /em>>- Amazon Customer

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9781944764234

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Reviews

OE Wants It To Be Friday is a special book celebrating a girl named Olga Ellise who has cerebral palsy but still leads an active, rich life. Another real person featured in OE Wants It To be Friday is Austin Hanson, who is an adult US Paralympic Boccia Team competitor despite his cerebral palsy diagnosis. OE is an adopted child from Russia who spent the first five years of her life in a crib. Now she leads a full active life, up every day, using a wheel chair and an assistive communication device, attending school, and playing her favorite sport, boccia, on Fridays with her coach, Austin. Using a special ramp and a special ball, OE plans and places her ball shot to win points in boccia, with coaching from Austin. Both OE and Austin work hard on playing boccia, taking time for a break and a drink when they need it. OE just loves her Friday boccia lessons with Austin and her Dad! OE Wants It To BE Friday is part of a series, featuring an inspiring true story about a child's life that exemplifies self-determination and skill building in children with disabilities. After reading the inspirational description of OE's daily life and routine, with accompanying color photo action portraits, there is a Family Guide for Promoting Self-Determination to assist parents and caretakers of children like OE. Also, there are further suggestions for Classroom Activities for 'OE Wants It To Be Friday, ' emphasizing facilitating problem solving and listening, increased understanding of non-verbal communication, and learning about different ways to communicate. OE Wants It To Be Friday is a typical inspirational biographical sketch about a real child who is practicing learning the skills of self-determination and communication. The message of inclusion is paramount in this and other books in this series. Nancy Lorraine Senior Reviewer Midwest Book Review

"""I am the lead teacher in an integrated early childhood special education classroom. In addition to typically developing preschool students, I serve children with a variety of special needs. I have been using a variety of Finding My Way books in the classroom for the last few years. I enjoy using these books and allowing my students to see other children like themselves experiencing different situations. These books are a great way to support diversity in early education.""p>-Becky Drews, MS Special Education Finding My Way Books: ""This inspiring and compassionate series of books is based on true stories, promoting inclusion and self-determination for families and children with disabilities. Each story is individual and personal, showing their great heart and ability to rise to their fullest potential. Photography by Mary Birdsell brings a tender touch that unites the reader with each story. Jo Meserve Mach's 36 years as an occupational therapist combined with Vera Lynne Stroup-Rentier's 25 years teaching experience in the fields of early childhood and special education brings a strong perspective of functional inclusion."" -Darleen Wohlfeil, Story Monsters, Ink. ""I feel these books about real children and real places would fit quite well in a Montessori setting. Maria Montessori suggested reading books that are reality-based for the 3-5 age group. They first need a foundation of real-life before they can begin the use their imagination."" -Cathy Brennan, Director, Discovery School Finding My Way Books has made a very big impact on the KCPT's Martha Speaks Reading Buddies Program. I work with over 600 high needs children in the district."" -Gary Brock, Director of Education, Kansas City Public Television"

Author Information

Jo Meserve Mach (author) spent 36 years as an Occupational Therapist. She is very passionate about sharing the stories of children with special needs. Jo embraces the joy that individuals with disabilities bring to our communities through their unique gifts. Jo is the cofounder of Finding My Way Books, which offers tools to help children without disabilities realize that children with disabilities are kids just like them. Readers and teachers love her books, which they describe as ""great,"" ""fabulous,"" which ""showcase how a person with a disability can be a mentor to others,"" and ""make the teachable moments and situations perfect for young students."" They are recommended for parents, teachers, elementary school libraries, homeschoolers, and anyone who wants a more just and inclusive world. Vera Lynne Stroup-Rentier worked professionally in Early Childhood and Special Education programming for 25 years. She has a PhD in Special Education from the University of Kansas and is currently working at Westat. Vera is passionate about the inclusion of every child in settings where they would be if they did not have a disability. Parenting two children with special needs enriches her life. Mary Birdsell is a professional photographer and a former Speech and Theatre teacher. She strives to create images that reflect the strengths of each child. Mary's background in education, theatre and photography intersects as she visually creates our books. She uses colors and shapes to tell a story. For her, each book is like its own theatre production.

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