The Horn Book Guide

PICTURE BOOKS

Rickert, Janet Elizabeth

Russ and the Almost Perfect Day

32 pp. | Woodbine | February, 2001 | Trade ISBN 1-890627-18-6 $$14.95

(4) K-3 Photographs by Pete McGahan. Good things keep happening to Russ, who has Down syndrome, including finding a five-dollar bill on the way to school. About to buy ice cream for himself and his friend with his windfall, Russ sees a girl crying over her lost lunch money and gives her the five dollars. Although the story, illustrated with posed color photos, is didactic, the book may be appreciated by some teachers of children with special needs.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey