FAMILY LITERACY
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS RELATED
TO TEACHING ADULTS

As A Child Grows (revised 1989)

Written by: Rosanne Keller
Published by: New Reader’s Press
Available: Artel Educational Resources - 1-800-665-9255
Cost: $4.25
Level: Functional
ISBN: 0-88336-511-1
Reviewed by: Sylvia Doherty (University College of the Cariboo in the Literacy Materials Bulletin, Number 6, Fall/Winter 1992

As a Child Grows - the second in a set - is a beautiful little book that approaches parenting from the perspective of the child’s needs. It is simply written and therefore suitable for beginning readers. However, its wealth of wisdom, practical information and tips ensure that more advanced readers will also find it interesting and valuable.

"This book...is about the needs of children. It is about who little children are. It is about what they can do. But mostly this book is about love." Its appealing format and poetic style of text make it very attractive. The creative lay-out features bold lettering, headings, varied line lengths and expressive illustrations on nearly every page.

The second half of the book guides the reader through the early stages of a child’s life, from newborn to five years of age, using first person singular, the child’s perspective. You are told what the child can do, what she needs and likes and what you can do with and for her at each developmental stage.

In a non-preachy and positive tone, As a Child Grows introduces parents to what, for them, may be a new way of relating to children. It encourages them to see their children as real people. One of my students who liked the book and said it was an eye-opener for her, told me, "I never thought about raising kids that way before, I just did it the way my parents did." This book offers the seeds of an alternative.

But this book is just an introduction to the topic and begs to have follow-up theme units and discussions on a whole range of related topics (i.e. self-esteem and its development, children, childhood, parenting, etc.) It is a sensitively written and inspiring book which reminds you gently of the precious and unique "life in your hands" and of the responsibility you have to help the child "become what he was meant to be," or to "give the child wings."