Bestselling children's book author Douglas Wood shares his struggles as a second-grader at Longfellow Elementary School in Iowa. He's just moved there from Kentucky, has a "funny" accent, and difficulties learning to read. Miss Little, his teacher, orders him to stay after school for extra help. He has stayed after school for getting into fights on the playground and for talking out of turn in class. But to practice reading? "I didn't like school," he writes. "I didn't like sitting still. I didn't like reading. And I didn't like Miss Little." However all that changes when he starts reading a book that really interests him called The Little Island. Douglas sounds out the words and is able to finish the book much to the delight of Miss Little.
Wood still suffers from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), which was not heard of when he was in second grade. This picture book, with illustrations by Jim Burke, is designed for children ages 4 through 8, and it offers an inspiring portrait of a teacher whose love of books and reading enabled her to give Douglas the attention and support he needed to eventually become a writer.
In addition, Wood writes an "Author's Note" which will enlighten and give encouragement, hope, and practical advice to parents of children with ADHD.
