Jay and Ben

Summary of Book

I was delighted to find a multicultural children’s book aimed at children with special needs! Jay and Ben is an interactive book developed for use with children with developmental and learning differences and disabilities. It is designed to help educators, parents and caregivers teach children about language, reading, story comprehension, functional skills and basic concepts.

Author Biography

Katharine Swanson is a special education teacher who earned her teaching degree with a focus on mental and emotional disabilities. She currently teaches at Porter Road Elementary in Bear, Delaware, and is also working toward her Masters in Special Education degree. Swanson grew up with an autistic younger brother, who inspired her to go into the special education field. Together Swanson and Delacre researched the kinds of materials teachers of special needs children wanted for their students, developed a prototype, and field tested the book with numerous children. Swanson and her son live in Wilmington, Delaware.

Illustrator Biography

Three-time Pura Belpré Award honoree Lulu Delacre has been writing and illustrating children's books since 1980. The New York Times Bestselling artist was born and raised in Puerto Rico to Argentinean parents.