Cole, Barbara H.: Anna & Natalie.

Cole, Barbara H.

ANNA & NATALIE. Il. by Ronald Himler. ISBN 978-1-59572-105-1. Star Bright Books, Inc., 2007. 28 pp. $16.95. Anna & Natalie is a well-written book for elementary-age children. Anna, a 3rd-grader, is rarely chosen for school activities as a result of having a disability. When her teacher, Mrs. Randall, explains that a team of four will be chosen to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Anna dreams about being included. The winner will be determined based on a letter written by a child. The winning letter is signed "From Natalie (with help from Anna)"; in a postscript, Natalie requests that Anna be allowed to join her in the ceremony. Anna's disability initially is not described, but becomes evident at the end of the story in an illustration of Anna with her seeing-eye dog, Natalie. This is a wonderful, highly recommended book showing a child with a disability in a realistic school setting. Ages 4-8. Reviewed by Chris Grissom, Associate Professor, Marian College, Indianapolis, IN.