About the Author

Vanita Oelschlager is a wife, mother, grandmother, philanthropist, former teacher, current caregiver, author, and poet. She is a graduate of Mt. Union College in Alliance, Ohio, where she currently serves as a Trustee. Vanita is also Writer In Residence for the Literacy Program at The University of Akron. Her first book, My Grampy Can't Walk, was widely praised. It's an uplifting story about the wonderful relationship between her husband Jim, who has multiple sclerosis, and their grandchildren. Vanita has also supported Jim as he built Oak ssociates, ltd. into a highly respected investment management firm.

Reviews

The publishers of Knees: The Mixed-Up World of a Boy with Dyslexia have taken special care to make Vanita Oelschlager's book readable. According to a note in the back, a special typeface called Lexia Readable was used, and the matte paper is extra-heavy to prevent words from the previous page from showing through.

In rhyming couplets, a fourth-grader named Louis explains that "Words come out backwards/And I don't know why." He is glad for his special teacher, who tells the class about others who have overcome dyslexia, like Albert Einstein and Walt Disney.

The inclusion of Magic Johnson is important, because, as Louis's dad says: "We're all good at something. You just have to find it." Louis tries a few things that don't work out, but after a summer growth spurt, he finds he's quite the basketball player. His prowess on the court gives Louis the confidence to try harder at school and the determination to live successfully with dyslexia.

Knees (128 pages, softcover) costs $9.95 and is recommended for readers ages 6 to 10. All proceeds will benefit the Lawrence School with campuses in Sagamore Hills and Broadview Heights; it serves students like Louis. The coloring-book-style illustrations are by Youngstown native Joe Rossi. --Barbara Mcintyre "Akron Beacon Journal"