This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Kristi O'Callahan is a Special Education teacher from the Hudson Valley, New York. While working in the field of Early Intervention, Kristi made the time to fulfill her passion of creating awareness for children with unique-abilities. The vision for her stories is to create a platform that provides resources for educators and therapists. A platform that creates feelings and appreciation of characters all children can relate to. Her Special Senses organization offers insight to both general and special needs children because they all deserve a special sense of identity.
Reviewed by Michelle Robertson for Readers' Favorite
Kids are often confused about anything or anyone different from themselves or what they are used to being around. It is normal and very common. Thus it's usually the case when meeting different people. Sam is a new student and notices a boy (Jacob) in the back of the classroom, secluded from everyone else, even at recess. Some kids would not give it another thought, some kids may turn their frustration of not knowing what’s going on into bullying, and others use their curiosity and determination to find a way to connect with the “different” person in class. Children are so innocent and pure hearted, unless taught otherwise. Jacob wanted so badly to befriend the “different” student, even when he himself was “different” because he was the new student. Jacob went out of his way to get help from his teacher and fellow students in hopes of interacting with Sam.
Author Kristi O'Callahan does a fantastic job portraying a very common social issue and solution with children today in Jacob and Sam: A Friendship Story. With simple wording, and beautiful illustrations to portray their meaning, Kristi O’Callahan connects with young readers easily. Young readers can relate to this story because it tells a tale of friendship, curiousness, differences, individuality, adapting, problem solving, and solutions - all within a school environment. Most young readers go through a similar situation or know someone who has while attending school. Kristi O’Callahan's short children’s story can aid readers through a situation they may have similar to the one they read about in the book. Libraries and school guidance offices would benefit from having a copy of this book for aiding in social issue lessons or questions readers or students may have about different behavior among their fellow classmates, friends, or other persons in general.
