Books

Babies with Down Syndrome – A parent’s Guide – Second Edition – Edited by Karen Stray-Gundersen
  The single, best resource we’ve come across. Good general information on every aspect we could conceive. Rose’s Dad read it cover to cover twice and still refers to it on a regular basis as Rose continues to develop and move into new areas. This is also the book that the genetic counselor gave us after we got the diagnosis of Rose’s Down Syndrome.
Understanding Down Syndrome – An Introduction for Parents – by Cliff Cunningham
  Another good, general information book with more detailed insights and suggestions on some specific topics that can be helpful.
Expecting Adam by Martha Beck
  This is Martha Beck’s personal experiences while pregnant with her son, Adam, who happens to have Down Syndrome. A very well written book, it’s mostly about the expecting parents coming to terms with the expected birth of their son with some flash forwards.
My Sister is Special written by Larry Jansen illustrated by Robert Pepper (fiction)
  This is a good book for kids maybe preschool through 1st or 2nd grade. It’s a picture book with text. A simple, positive story about a boy’s younger sister that has Down Syndrome. We bought this to read with Katie right after we found out Rose had Down Syndrome. Katie was almost 6 years old and just starting 1st grade at the time. It was definitely a big help.
Falcon’s Wing by Dawna Lisa Buchanan (fiction)
  We got this book for Erin who was 10 years old and just starting 5th grade at the time. Erin enjoyed the book. The story is about a boy that’s mother has died. He and his father go to live with extended family and he meets a cousin that has Down Syndrome. Cheryl’s reading it to Katie now.
Come Sign With Us by Jan C. Hafer and Robert M. Wilson
  This is the first book we check for new signs.  It's geared more towards children and the signs, if available, tend to be simpler and a little easier for Rose.  I bought this book through Amazon.com.
Signing Exact English by Gustason, Pfetsing and Zawolkow
  This book is a good resource.  We've always been able to find the word we've been looking for.
Life as We Know It by Michael Berube
  Michael Berube's son has DS.  This is the story of his family's experiences.  Some of it is about key moments in their lives.  Much of the philosophical tangents are over my head but it helped keep me humble.  He had a pretty detailed well rounded discussion of the abortion issue.  One of the most comprehensive, multi-perspective and objective that I have read. 
Circle of Friends by Robert Perske Illustrated by Martha Perske
  This book is a wonderful series of stories about relationships between people with disabilities, mostly children, and people in their lives. The importance of relationships and how lives were enriched is well told.
Genome by Matt Ridley
  The book is written with a different chapter discussing a significant issue about each chromosome and, of course, Chapter 21 is predominantly about Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21).  It's more of an historical prospective with a very sobering view of Eugenics movement at the turn of the century.  It will give you a strong impression of just how very far the world has advanced in less than a hundred years.

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