It was on this day {June 1} 1968 that Helen Keller died in Westport, Connecticut at the age of 87. Blind and deaf from infancy, Keller circumvented her disabilities to become a world-renowned writer and lecturer.
Helen Adams Keller was born on June 27, 1880, on a farm near Tuscumbia, Alabama. A normal infant, she was stricken with an illness at 19 months, probably scarlet fever, which left her blind and deaf. For the next four years, she lived at home, a mute and unruly child. You can read more about Helen’s life here.
I have greatly loved the story of Helen Keller all of my life. On several occasions I’ve had the chance to bring the story of Helen Keller to life for my children and our friends. Each time it is a deeply moving experience as we walk into the world of the blind and deaf.
Recently I had the pleasure of picking up Annie and Helen by Deborah Hopkinson with illustrations by Raul Colon at our indie bookstore Union Street Books.
The inspiring story of Annie Sullivan and her student Helen Keller has captured the hearts and imaginations of people for over a hundred years. This beautiful picture book, with excerpts of Annie’s own letters to her former teacher Mrs. Sophia C. Hopkins, shares the trials, joys, and inspirations of teaching Helen.
The telling of this story lends well to young readers as Annie opens Helen’s mind by making the world her classroom and we get to learn right along side her. Inside the pages of this well crafted story we discover Helen learning sign language, and learning to read and write in braille. It is because of Annie’s help that Helen Keller grew up to be the advocate for special needs people and a most accomplished woman of her time.
Other Helen Keller Reads:
Who Was Helen Keller? by Gare Thompson and Nancy Harrison
Helen Keller (Scholastic Biography) by Margaret Davidson and Wendy Watson
History for Kids: The Illustrated Life of Helen Keller by Charles River Editors
Helen Keller (Young Yearling Book) by Stewart Graff and Polly Anne Graff
Helen Keller: The World in Her Heart by Lesa Cline-Ransome and James Ransome
Helen’s Big World: The Life of Helen Keller by Doreen Rappaport and Matt Tavares
Annie Sullivan and the Trials of Helen Keller (Center for Cartoon Studies Presents) by Joseph Lambert
Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller by Sarah Miller
Have you read any of these books? Have you read them as a family? Share your thoughts and experiences with us!
**Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links.
Want to enjoy month-by-month activities based on the classic children’s tale, The Secret Garden? A Year in the Secret Garden is over 120 pages, with 150 original color illustrations and 48 activities for your family and friends to enjoy, learn, discover and play with together. A Year In the Secret Garden is our opportunity to introduce new generations of families to the magic of this classic tale in a modern and innovative way that creates special learning and play times outside in nature. This book encourages families to step away from technology and into the kitchen, garden, reading nook and craft room. Learn more, or grab your copy HERE.
The post Honoring Helen Keller: A Helen and Annie Booklist appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
Add a Comment