Amazon.com description: Product Description: Susan does not understand what is happening to her when she finds blood on her sheets and clothes. She does not tell her mother, but goes straight to school. Other girls are pointing at the bloodstains. A teacher explains to her that she has become a woman and her periods have started. Susan's mother takes her shopping to celebrate.

'The excellent Books Beyond Words series encourages client empowerment in a dynamic way.'

- British Journal of Learning Disabilities

What are Books Beyond Words?
Few picture books are available for adults and adolescents who cannot read or who have difficulty reading. Fewer still provide information and address the emotional aspects of difficult events like the Books Beyond Words series. Each specially commissioned book actively addresses the problems of understanding that people with learning and communication difficulties experience.

The stories are told through colour pictures that include mime and body language, to communicate simple, explicit messages. These help 'readers' to cope with emotions and events such as going to the doctor, bereavement, sexual abuse and depression.

People with learning disabilities trial every single picture before publication to ensure they can be readily understood.
Supporting text and guidelines are given at the back of each book.
The authors are all experts in their fields.
Lists of resources and helpful organisations are provided where appropriate.

'This series has established the highest reputation for tackling complex and difficult issues, clearly, compassionately and with considerable skill.'
- Viewpoint (Mencap)

'Books Beyond Words offer a useful resource for prompting discussion on a variety of issues.' - Communication

Who should use Books Beyond Words?

Books Beyond Words can be used by:

Anyone who understands pictures better than words.
People with learning or communication difficulties.
People with literacy problems.
People for whom English is a second language when an interpreter is not available.
Anyone who speaks a different language.
Relatives, friends, supporters and advocates.
Teachers, social workers, health and legal professionals, police officers.

'These books are powerful interpretive tools for anyone who works with people with developmental disabilities'
- Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology

'The acid test for these publications has to be whether or not one would find them useful in clinical practice... my own answer would be an unequivocal 'Yes'.
- Journal of Intellectual Disability Research

By telling the whole story in pictures, Books Beyond Words titles help people to prepare for an event or to deal with something that has happened. People are able to relate the pictures to their own experiences, without being distracted or confused by accompanying text. The pictures share information and show procedures, but they also illustrate emotions relevant to the topic or experience.

Supporting information, as text, is provided at the back of each book. A suggested storyline gives one interpretation of what is taking place. Guidelines are also provided for carers, supporters and professionals, including notes on how to use the book together with useful resources and organisations that may help with particular problems. The guidelines may include a glossary of special terms.

Also available:

Looking After My Breasts (Books Beyond Words) - ISBN 1901242536
Seminars in the Psychiatry of Learning Disabilities, 2nd Edition (College Seminars Series) - ISBN 1901242935