Helen's Big World: The Life of Helen Keller

Gr 2–4—This adaptation of Doreen Rappaport's picture book biography focuses on all the things Helen Keller could do instead of what she couldn't. It spans her entire life, from her time as a happy, communicative baby to the illness at 19 months that left her deaf and blind to her introduction to teacher Annie Sullivan, who stayed by Keller's side for 49 years. The story also highlights Keller's many accomplishments, including her college graduation, her autobiography, and her role as an advocate for people with disabilities throughout the world. Matt Tavares's close-up watercolor and pencil illustrations depict pivotal moments in Keller's life, and they are supplemented by black-and-white photographs. Eileen Stevens's expressive narration is also enhanced by quotes from Keller that appear in bold text. This production includes a supplemental "Important Dates" section featuring a time line and additional photos as well as a manual language chart. An actor demonstrates each alphabet letter in American Sign Language.