Annie and Helen

Great introduction for younger readers to the relationship between Helen Keller and her teacher, Annie Sullivan. ( )

Beautiful pictures & amazing story of Helen Keller as a young girl and how her teacher Annie Sullivan, taught her.

Ages: 6-8
Source: Pierce County Library, UP Branch.

The famous story about Helen Keller is written by Deborah Hopkins in the form of juvenile literature. Deborah takes the reader through Annie's time with Helen and how she was able to reach her and open the world the world to her in spite of her deaf-blindness.

A well told story for young readers. The author does leave a few pieces of information out of the story; I was able to fill in the gaps because I have read Miss Spitfire by, Sarah E. Miller. This is a great way to introduce Helen Keller and the amazing work of Annie Sullivan to young students. ( )

PSC REVIEW: This is the gem in the myriad of picture books about Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan. Its quiet luster of words and soft illustrations provide not only a look at Annie’s early work with Helen, but provide an emotional connection to the two. Hopkinson connects the picture book story with primary documents, using letters Annie wrote within the text. If you’re looking for exemplar books for Common Core you would do well to put this on your list of first purchases. There’s the superficial story of how Helen learned to communicate, with a much richer depth for helping students understand the inferred meaning of the close relationship between teacher and child, the emotional moment for Helen when she associated water with the spelled word. Hopkinson’s writing shows us how to provide the details that flesh out Sullivan’s quotes. The major challenge you will have with this book is covering the photos of Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan on the end pages when you get this book ready for your library. The raised Braille alphabet is included on the back of the jacket. As the ability to feel the letters will be lessened by a dust jacet protector, have others raised alphabets for kids to explore. Extra special touches to the book include the gentle blue, gold and green illustrations of Raul Colón, Helen’s first written letter to her mother, and websites and books to learn more about Helen Keller. ( )