New Review for “I Was a Preemie”

Hello bloggers,

Another review to share with you about the latest book, Good Things Come In Small Packages (I Was A Preemie) from the Oregonian reporter (and mom of former preemie), Amy Wang.

Book review: ‘Good Things Come in Small Packages: I Was a Preemie’

By Amy Wang, The Oregonian

April 08, 2010, 4:18PM

View full sizePeripatetic ProductionsHere’s a relative rarity: a book written specifically for children who were born prematurely.

“Good Things Come in Small Packages” (Peripatetic Publishing, 28 pages, $14.95) was the idea ofCandy Campbell, a Portland native and registered nurse who’s also madea documentary film about “micropremature” babies. She wrote the book from the viewpoint of a little boy learning about his too-soon arrival from his parents, grandfather, uncle and other family members.

The short story is told in simple and sweet language that is best suited to beginning readers (the book is recommended for up to age 8). Michael Vincent Fusco’s soft, bright and humorous illustrations complement the text nicely. In a nice touch, the boy wears thick glasses — “a nod to the fact that so many of our micropreemies have eye surgery and need to wear glasses at an early age,” says Campbell. I’m thinking the glasses also give parents an opening to discuss the fact that preemies sometimes have long-term health and/or developmental issues.

It’s definitely a book I’ll be sharing with my own former preemie.

The price may seem a little high, but $1 from each sale goes to March of Dimes, a national nonprofit whose mission includes preventing premature births.

Got another book about preemies to recommend? Share it below in the comments section.

And for more children’s books about preemies, check outhttp://www.prematurity.org/premiebooks4children.html.

– Amy Wang