Helen’s Big World: The Life of Helen Keller
Doreen Rappaport, author
Matt Tavares, illustrator
Disney Hyperion Books, Biography, Oct. 16, 2012
Suitable for: Ages 6 and up
Themes: Deafblind people, Sign language, Braille, Courage, Wisdom
Opening/Synopsis: “Helen gurgled and giggled in her crib. At six months, she crawled and said, ‘How-d’ye,’ and ‘wah-wah’ for water. When she was one, she ran after a ray of sunshine. She loved the mockingbird’s song and the sweet smell of climbing roses. But best of all was being on her father’s lap and in her mother’s arms.” When Helen was 19 months old, an illness took away her sight and speech. She was surrounded by silence and darkness. Helen tried to make up signs to communicate with her parents. But her failure to make them understand turned into outbursts. Annie Sullivan came to work with Helen when she was seven years old. Helen learned sign language quickly and was considered a genius. Annie taught her Braille so she could read books. She learned to write with a pencil, read lips, speak, and to experience the world with enthusiasm. Helen graduated from college with honors. Helen’s journey out of darkness led to freedom and she taught people how very large her world was.
Why I like this book: The title says it all “Helen’s Big World,”which is rich, full of life and not limited in any way. This is an excellent introduction for young readers to learn about this most remarkable woman. Doreen Rappaport beautifully captures the essence of this very inspirational child and woman, Helen Keller. It is written in prose with quotes from Helen woven into the story on every page. The book not only chronicles the story of Helen’s challenging and courageous life, but shows children how one can move beyond physical limitations, find their own gifts and change the world for the better. The book is large and Matt Tavares’ illustrations are bold, colorful, emotional and lively. The illustrator emphasizes what Helen can do. This book is a feast for the soul. Adults will also enjoy reading this treasure. I love that the book title is also printed in braille on the front cover.
Favorite Quotes: “We do not think with eyes and ears, and our capacity for thought is not measured by five senses.”
“The chief handicap of the blind is not blindness, but the attitude of seeing people toward them.”
“I have the advantage of a mind trained to think, and that is the difference between myself and most people, not my blindness and their sight.”
Resources: The book alone is a great resource. There are back pages of resources and materials, as well as a page of the manual alphabet chart Annie Sullivan used with Helen. The American Foundation for the Blind has great resources or kids and teachers, especially if you scroll down and click on the Braille Bug link. Check out author Doreen Rappaport’s website. This is an excellent book for the classroom.
Every Friday, authors and KidLit bloggers post a favorite picture book. To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Books.
Children's Books Heal 
Oh I so love this amazing woman, Helen Keller. I read about her in school and from my first days of school I mixed with deaf kids as their school was next to ours and I learnt sign language. (not so good now) I have the movie DVD with Patty Duke portraying Helen, but I would so love this book. Love that it focuses on what she CAN do. The artwork looks gorgeous to. Thanks for this Pat, will check out my library and bookstores.
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Diane, I fell in love with this book the moment I saw it. Much of the story we already know, but it is interlaced quotes of Helen’s on recolections of the time and her wisdom. The artists did an amazing job illustrating the book. Helen Keller has always been a fvorite of mine.
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This really looks inspiring!
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Niamh, it is inspiring as there is so much of Helen’s own wisdom woven into the story. Beautiful book.
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I find Hellen’s story so inspiring! I’m glad to see this book added to our list. Doreen Rappaport is great writer. Whenever I think of Helen’s story I think how lucky it was that she and Annie Sullivan found each other – I don’t think just anyone could have helped Helen out of the darkness. Thanks for sharing this one, Pat!
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Susanna, I do like Doreen Rappaport’s biographies. And, she has out done herself with this one. Beautiful book to own.
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Reblogged this on Visual Impairment Info.
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Thanks for reblogging Nessa.
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Helen was an amazing, inspiring woman. I’ve told my kids about her, but they need to see this for themselves. Thanks for this recommendation. I’m looking it up!
Btw – I finished “Son.” Loved it! Great wrap up for The Giver series. I’m glad you discovered it!
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Michelle, this is the perfect book for older kids. It tells the story, but also incorporates Helen’s wisdom.
Glad you loved “Son.” Also really enjoyed the 2nd and third books –characters carried over into “Son.”
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What a lovely cover! Look forward to reading this one – thanks!
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Julie you would love the illustrations in this book!
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On hold!
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Great. I’m glad the libraries have it now. I was published last month.
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So glad you featured these lines Pat:
“The chief handicap of the blind is not blindness, but the attitude of seeing people toward them.”
Cheers!
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Cathy, there were s many quotes that I wanted to share, but didn’t want to go overboardd! This was a favorite of mine.
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I saw Matt, the illustrator posting this on his FB page just recently, which prompted me to ask him for an interview. I hope he speaks of this book in his interview as I love some of the illustrations I have seen. Kids are always i inspired by reading about Helen Keller, and this sounds like a fabulous addition to these biographies! I love the braille on the cover, too.
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Joanna,
That’s great you have an interview with Matt. His illustrations really capture Helen’s bigger than life personality. Ask his about the book — it’s just out. He did a beautiful job illustrating this on.
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This books just sounds wonderful. Will have to read it and to my kids. 🙂 Thanks for the great review and quotes.
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Thank you Darshana. The book is inspiring and beautiful.
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I was quite excited to see this book title! I have an affinity for the visually impaired (it’s in my breeding). and my Mom Person has admired Helen Keller since she was a little tyke. It’s nice to see her biography in a picture book. We’ll be looking for this one. Thanks.
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You will certainly fall in love with this book. Doreen Rappaport and Matt Tavares have created a beautiful book.
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It does look beautiful and I can’t wait to find it!
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I have admired Helen Keller since I was very young. Those opening sentences caught at my heart, knowing how much she lost. I am grateful that the author emphasizes how much she did. She was a truly amazing woman. Thank you for sharing this with us, Pat. Thank you so much.
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Beth, the book is breathtaking. It tells her story intelaced with quote from Helen. Helen was amazing and she made such a contribution to the world in helping them understand the blind and deaf. She was feisty and passionate about the world.
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This is a great choice. I remember reading a biography of Helen Keller when I was in middle school — the first nonfiction book I can remember reading and actually enjoying. Both she and Annie Sullivan have such fascinating stories. Thanks for sharing this.
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Carrie, I’m happy you enjoyed the selection. Great way to introduce another generation to Helen Keller with this beautiful book.
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Helen Keller has always fascinated me. I’ll have to check out this new addition to the many biographies of her.
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Laura, I hope you enjoy the book. It is inspiring and beautiful.
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I want to learn more about Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan. This would be a good book to help me.
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Great Erik. You will really appreciate this book!
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What a wonderful book to find! Thank you for letting us know about it, Patricia. Helen Keller has been an inspiration to me my whole life, and I’m thrilled young children now have another way to learn about her story. Nice to know about the resources, too. I’ll definately be looking for this one to help others see their big world, too.
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Yes, I was thrilled when I found this new release in the book store. A new generation have a wonderful resourece to learn about Helen. The book is beautiful and interlaced with Helen’s own wise comments.
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Patricia, you’ve picked one of my personal heroes. I remember being 7 or 8 years old and our family was visiting friends. The oldest daughter had to read the Helen Keller story for her homework, so she read it out loud to me. I was captivated. Since then I think I’ve read most every book about her. I did not know this had come out. Thank you for sharing.
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Laura, the book just came out and it is an amazing. A new version for another generation of kids — an adults. I love Helen Keller too for many reasons. I hope you get a copy.
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I love Helen Keller’s story. I do a lot of quote searching and whenever I come across something she said, it’s often so insightful. 🙂
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Coleen this book his packed with her quotes and wisdom. You’d enjoy it!
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Oh Pat…I’ve always been fascinated with the story of Helen Keller. Suffering from poor vision myself, I am so in awe of her amazing accomplishments…she’s been an inspiration to me and to many others. Whenever I hesitate to do something because I think I can’t…I remember her achievements and am compelled onward. 🙂 I’m so glad there is a picture book that will enable young children to learn about her. 🙂 Great review!!!!
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Vivian, I’m so happy you are so taken by the new book about Helen. You will enjoy this story — and a new generation of children will get to read about her.
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Helen Keller has always been a favorite of mine too! I look forward to getting the book and sharing with my grandchildren.
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Janie, you would thoroughly enjoy the book. It’s a moving story and beautiful book.
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Helen Keller is truly amazing. I’m glad to see another book about her, and especially one that highlights the positive. I love the simplicity of the cover, and that the title is in braille.
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I loved the braille used on the cover! This book is beyond words and a great classroom book.
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When I was a young girl, I read a book about Helen Keller and she became my hero. I hope this book will introduce young children of today to a remarkable woman, and perhaps she will influence their lives as well.
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She was my hero too. I loved the “Miracle Worker.” But, the author has a fresh new approach to sharing Helen, and it is well worth reading. Beautiful book.
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I’m doing a book report on her.She is amazing !!!!!!!
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I’m glad you liked the book. There are so many to choose from. Good luck with your report.
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Thanks for sharing this book. I will keep an eye out for it in the library. It looks like a beautiful story. I love Helen’s quotes – write them down in my little pad and use them in my scrapbooking albums.
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Rachel, I’m so glad you found Helen’s story on my blog. Her quotes are so inspiring. Thank you for visiting.
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Pingback: Illustrator Interview – Matt Tavares | Miss Marple's Musings
My little guy too is like Helen Keller… He is DeafBlind and we are still struggling to get the communication down for him. We love him so much and he has been through some really awful things in life. I have been blogging about him. You can read about him if you wish… I will also check out this book. Thanks for sharing.
http://www.kodiakmylittlegrizzly.com
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Thank you for sharing. What a remarkable story. Would you consider doing a guest blog about your son on my website. I get a lot of traffic from a variety of different commmunities. I think it would be helpful to my readership. My daughter grew up with a bi-lateral hearing impairment and wore hearing aids. If you are intested, let me know and I’ll send you an e-mail. No rush! — Pat
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Reblogged this on Kodiak My Little Grizzly and commented:
I love the comment that we don’t think with our ears and eyes!!!!
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