Book Review: This is Gabriel Making Sense of School

Title of Book: This is Gabriel Making Sense of School – A Book about Sensory Processing Disorder
Author: Hartley Steiner
Illustrator: Brandon Fall
ISBN#: 978-1-4269-2777-5

Parents, teachers and occupational or physical therapists who interact with children who have sensory processing disorder will enjoy this new book entitled This Is Gabriel Making Sense of School – A Book About Sensory Processing Disorder. The purpose of this book is to educate teachers, school staff and students on sensory processing disorder and its effects at school.

The book explains each of the seven senses – sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell, vestibular and proprioception in a simplistic manner that children and adults can understand. In addition, many sensory accommodations that are seen in the classroom are explained. Not only could this book help to explain sensory processing disorder to children who experience it daily, other children may want to know why one student gets to take movement breaks, chew gum or sit in a special chair. This book does a great job of explaining why.

I would recommend this book for all therapists to share with students, parents and school staff. It is a short read with simple, clear sentences and excellent illustrations. It can be purchased at Amazon.com.