What Can You Do?
A Book About Discovering What You Do Well
From the Series Shelley Rotner's Early Childhood Library
What Can You Do? is a book to help children discover their own special talents. Inspired by Dr. Howard Gardner’s Frames of Mind, in which he outlines seven different kinds of intelligence, the book helps children realize that succes comes in many forms. While one child might excel in mathematics, another might shine as an actor or a painter. The top reader in the class may not be a good skier, and vice versa. The authors hope to offer children and the adults who care for them a chance to think and talk about ways children have met with success or difficulty in using their abilities, and to help them recognize that one ability is not better than another. This understanding will encourage children to seek help with their challenges and to delight in their strengths.
Interest Level | Kindergarten - Grade 3 |
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Reading Level | Grade 2 |
Genre | Nonfiction |
Subject | Social Studies |
Copyright | 2001 |
Publisher | Lerner Publishing Group |
Imprint | Millbrook Press ™ |
Language | English |
Number of Pages | 24 |
Publication Date | 2001-08-01 |
BISACS | JNF053160 |
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Dewey | 153.9 |
Graphics | Full-color illustrations |
Dimensions | 8 x 10 |
Guided Reading Level | J |
Features | Reviewed |
Reviews
Booklist
“Using Dr. Howard Gardner’s work about multiple intelligence as a framework for the text, Rotner and Kelly portray young children with linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, and interpersonal talents. . . The message (everyone is good at something) comes through strongly, as does the authors’ encouragement to continue working toward mastery of more difficult skills. This will be useful in preschool and kindergarten classrooms that focus on celebrating students’ strengths and learning styles. Buy a second copy for the parenting shelf.” —Booklist
School Library Journal
“Close-up, quality, color photographs of children excelling at activities-physical, mental, musical, and artistic-show that everyone can do something well, that individuals have different strengths and abilities. The brief text suggests that being good at something takes time and work. An endnote for adults acknowledges Howard Gardner’s Frames of Mind (HarperCollins, 1993), which considers his theories about independent kinds of intelligence and was the authors’ inspiration for What Can You Do? While many of the youngsters in the photographs are of school age, the title may serve as inspiration and impetus for discussion with those as young as preschool. A book for sharing with children by caring adults.” —School Library Journal
Author, Photographer: Shelley Rotner
Shelley Rotner is a noted freelance photojournalist, whose work has appeared in Time magazine, National Geographic's World Magazine, Conde Nast Traveler, Outside Magazine, Food and Wine, and numerous others. She is also the author and photo-illustrator of over 30 award-winning children's books. Her most recent books include Many Ways, Every Season, and Feeling Thankful. Shelley has also traveled extensively for UNICEF documenting programs about children, women, and education. Currently, Ms. Rotner is working on a collection of large, hand-painted photographs that capture beautiful and sacred places she has discovered in her travels. Shelley Rotner received her undergraduate degree in photography and psychology from Syracuse University and a dual Master's degree in elementary education and museum education from Bank Street College.