Cartwheels: Finding Your Special Kind of Smart
Cartwheels: Finding Your Special Kind of Smart
Tracy Peterson with Sloane LaFrance, Illustrated by Lindsey Witting
AS SEEN ON PBS’s “Rise and Shine”! Order your signed books.
Available in 8.5 x 8.5 Hardback ($18.95, ISBN: 978-1-944528-12-6 ) or Paperback ($11.95, ISBN: 978-1-944528-13-3). 34 pages
Cartwheels is a great story for opening conversations about learning differences and explaining the basics of dyslexia to children.
Lively Sloane loves to make up dances, put on shows, and do art. But as she heads into first grade, nothing frustrates her more than reading. In math, the numbers go together right in her brain, but no matter how hard she looks at letters, and no matter how many times her teacher and parents say “focus,” she would much rather do cartwheels. She feels sad that she isn’t keeping up with her class and isn’t reading the “right way.” Then, she finds out that she has dyslexia. Join Sloane on her journey to learn to read, gain confidence, and find her own special kind of smart.
Based on the real-life teacher/student relationship between veteran first-grade teacher, author Tracy Peterson, and student Sloane LaFrance.
Hi! I am Sloane and this book is about me and my struggle to read. Dyslexia makes reading tricky, and it used to make me feel like I wasn’t very smart. I thought I would never read like my family and friends. I did a lot of cartwheels trying to avoid those feelings until my first-grade teacher, Mrs. Peterson, taught me that we all have our own special kind of smart. With the help of my teachers and tutor, and a lot of hard work, I am learning to crack the reading code. I now see how smart I really am! I still love doing cartwheels but I also like reading. Who ever thought that I would be awesome at both?
Hi! I’m Tracy. I was lucky to be Sloane’s teacher, and I love working with kids to find their special kind of smart. I’ve been a teacher for nearly four decades in four states (California, Kansas, Nebraska, and Arkansas), and have taught special education, preschool, high school, college, fifth grade, and second grade. A decade of that has been in first grade in Little Rock at the school where I taught Sloane. Here we are at Field Day, celebrating the end of our first-grade year together. Find me at teachertracypeterson.com.
PRAISE
“One in five children have dyslexia, and this fun-loving book can help all children understand how every brain works differently. When we promote understanding of differences at a young age, we help students grow up to be loving of ALL people.” —Caroline Crow, MS, CCC-SLP, Owner, Beyond Speech Learning Center
“This book would be a wonderful addition to any primary classroom! Cartwheels an adorable story about what really happens to a child's spirit when they struggle and the triumph they can achieve with the right help. As the author states ‘Everyone has their own special kind of smart.’ With the right encouragement and a dedicated teacher, every child will succeed.” —Kimberly Jordano, @KinderbyKim, kindergarten/first-grade teacher
“Peterson captures the heart of an eager first grader working to crack the reading code . . . a beautifully written resource for parents and educators navigating the tricky waters of dyslexia.” —Julie Stewart, Assistant Principal and Certified Dyslexia Therapist
"What a fantastic book. Cartwheels is fitting for kids, parents, and teachers to share experiences from the child's view. The big TRY HARDER words were quite powerful as that was the adult’s expectation. Perspective is truly everything." —Dr. Amy Benton, Associate Professor of Educational Leadership, Samford University, and mother of a child with learning differences
"Cartwheels is delightful book which shines the light on what first graders face when learning to read. Reading is a complex process which can be quite challenging for our little ones. Sloane’s story reminds us some children learn to master reading by receiving individual assistance and different teaching methods. As Sloane learns to read, she is filled with self-pride, and the reader is reminded that each child blossoms in their own time." —Dr. Lydia Wells, Retired K-12 Educator, Principal, and University Professor
“As a 55-year-old dyslexic, I applaud you for having the courage to educate children, parents and teachers on the challenges of dyslexia. I really enjoyed Cartwheels. As I read Sloane's reality, my eyes filled with tears. It took me back to the early ‘70s, sitting in my elementary school classroom and being terrified of everyone knowing "my secret" that I could not read. I was afraid of the teachers scolding me for being "lazy" or my classmates making fun of me by calling me "dumbo" or "special Eddie." The early years of my educational journey were filled with pain and uncertainty. I recall the fright of not wanting to go to school just to keep from reading out loud in front of my teachers and classmates. Without question, this book will reduce the fear and pain children will suffer when learning to read.” —Zaki Ali, J.D.
“As a mother of a son with dyslexia, Cartwheels feels like a huge breakthrough and a light to guide others into my son’s world. It can be so tough watching my child struggle, but it has reminded me that he is a very special kind of smart and to celebrate that. This is a book every mother and teacher should have!” —Abby Higgins
“Cartwheels resonates with me as a parent of dyslexic children, especially in how it reaffirms that children with learning differences are their ‘own special kind of smart’ and they are perfectly capable of learning to read; they just need the right code. To an undiagnosed dyslexic first grader, watching peers learn to read must truly seem like magic. I hope teachers and parents read this book and recognize early signs of dyslexia, have their children tested by a trusted evaluator, and begin intervention as soon as possible! The book illustrates the partnership between parents and teachers. It is inferred that the teacher addresses possible dyslexia with Sloane’s parents and they take action. Hearing your child’s teacher deliver distressing news (on the third day of first grade) may seem devastating, but ultimately, it sets a course for your child’s success.” —Jennifer Keyes
“Tracy’s insight into the core of children’s lives and educational needs is a gift she has had for years as an educator. Seeing her teach with such skill and care always was evident. Never letting a child fail, but finding the strategies to help each be the best they can be, gave so many the successful inspiration and understanding needed to ‘turn cartwheels’ into spirals of future success!” —Coni Schwartz, retired principal
