About the Author:
Michelle Fattig, Ed.S.
Michelle is a school psychologist and medical technologist, who volunteers as a parent advocate, and provides professional development to parents and educators, regarding Individuals with Disabilites Education Act (IDEA), Improving Learning for Children with Disabilities (ILCD), Hidden Disabilities, and Response to Intervention (RTI). Michelle has struggled with her own disabilities; however, she believes that with empathy and understanding, the world can be a more comfortable place for those with Asperger's Syndrome and Attention Deficit Disorders, or any Executive Functioning Disorder.
About the Illustrator
Josh Fattig
Illustrator: Josh will be a senior in high school, and is incredibly gifted in art and music. Josh has many other wonderful attributes, and he also has the joy of Asperger's Syndrome, Attention Deficit Disorder (he firmly believes that having one less letter in his disorder makes him LESS disabled than his mom), and learning disabilities. Josh enjoys music, very much, he enjoys LESS much, illustrating for his mother. He, however, being the dutiful son, perseveres!
Annie Books Series©
Experience Attention Deficits Through the Eyes of a Child
The Annie Books are a must read for any parent, teacher, or student with the challenges of Asperger's Syndrome or Attention Deficit Disorders.
Annie Books Series©: Experience Attention Deficits Through the Eyes of a ChildWritten by Michelle FattigPictures by Josh Fattig
A Windy Day with Annie
A Prairie Day with Annie
Viva Le Resistance!
Bully-Be-Gone with Annie
Calming the Stormy Days with Annie
Description:
Annie Books are fun to read, provide useful information, allow for empathetic understanding, for those of you, who don't get to understand it from the inside, and those of us, who don't know, that those of you, don't understand it from the inside! We think that everyone feels this way, so we wonder what is wrong with us, and why can't we just be normal...
"A Prairie Day with Annie: It's a very charming, well-written book and I'm sure it will help countless children and families dealing with ADD and Asperger's Syndrome. I wish you the best of luck and success with your valuable work." Lindsay Miller, Readers Digest
"Conversationally and conspiratorially, Annie addresses the reader..."
--Kirkus Discoveries
"...Annie struggles to remember life's many details and finds it difficult to fit in." --Kirkus Discoveries
A Prairie Day with Annie, by Michelle Fattig This story of Annie masterfully illustrates many of the experiences of a child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Inattentive Type, (or ADD). Michelle captures the essence of an ADD child through Annie, and states it so clearly, " How many times has she (Annie) tried to explain to someone that what she was thinking just now, was too broad of a question? How do you explain that "just now" she may have thought about......" The student can easily identify with Annie and her frequent distractible thoughts, that while wonderfully creative, frequently results in failure. Many ADD students frequently develop negative internal beliefs of I'm no good, I'm stupid, and as Michelle's Annie says' "Why can't I just...." Parents often read Annie, and not only see their own child (who may have ADD), but often see themselves, and question whether they may also have ADD. Teachers can easily recognize the frustration that they experience in their classroom and some see how they can approach situations differently. Michelle's depiction of Annie, her distractions within her mind, school, and family, mirrors many of the life experiences of my clients, their parents, and teachers. As a Clinical Psychologist, I have used this book (even prior to publication) with several of my young clients, as well as their parents, to help in their understanding and identification of ADD. A Prairie Day with Annie, is enjoyable and easy to read, while wonderfully illustrating the creative mind, frustrating experiences, and hopeful possibilities of one who has ADD. Paul Chleborad, Psy.D., MA, MFCT, Licensed Psychologist
Brilliant! As a current Director of Special Education, I find Michelle's book, about Attention Deficits, to be the best information possible for parents, students, educators, physicians or anyone in the helping professions. It explains the struggles, regarding a child's life, in such a manner that is easily understood but comprehensive. Any parent of a special needs child must read Michelle's book. This book has a five star rating as far as I am concerned and should be distributed to all parents of challenged children.
Dr. Lynn Ahrens Special Education Director
It's like Junie B meets attention deficit disorder! Fantastic! Stacey Con
The Windy Day with Annie and Bully-Be-Gone with Annie books, are a wonderful, non-threatening way, to introduce the topic of distractability and attention deficits to a young child and to introduce social skills training . So many times, my young attention deficit children respond, "I don't like her (Annie). She is bad." When prompted as to why they think she is bad, inevitably the response is, "Because she just daydreams. She is bad." Michelle
Beautifully written! Excellent resource for parents and educators alike. Rogene McPherson, SPED Director
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Attention Deficit Disorder or ADD is a condition I know all too well. My 15 yr old son (nicknamed The Comedian) was diagnosed with it several years ago. At the time, he was painfully shy. Perhaps his shyness attributed to becoming the target for every bully in the school, playground, cafeteria and bus. Being a mom to a child that suffers in silence is very painful. Not being able to understand his condition is frustrating. Thanks to Michelle Fattig's Annie Books Series <http://www.anniebooks.com/>, you don't have to wonder anymore. The author created an excellent resource for children and parents that helps expose the life of a child diagnosed with ADD.Michelle Fattig is a school pyschologist, medical technologist, author and mother. (Can you say amazing???) She has been diagnosed with Asperger's and ADHD (Attention Deficit with HyperActivity Disorder). She (along with her son Josh Fattig also diagnosed with Asperberger's and ADD) has created a series of children's book that look into the world of a child with ADD. All I can say is..."It's about time." This glimpse into a world that is largely misunderstood can be a great tool for educators, mental health professionals and medical professionals to explain and relate to an ADD/ADHD child's daily adversities. What makes this book even more appealing is that it was written, edited and illustrated by individuals that have been diagnosed with the condition. Furthermore, they were able to overcome the disability and turned it into a strength. Any child that struggles with ADD/ADHD can empathize with the characters of the book. It gives them a superhero to identify with. It may also provide a healthy boost in their self esteem. It's great for a child to know that others are experiencing the same emotions, struggles and triumphs. When you visit the Annie Books site, you will be able to read a few pages of some of the books. Unfortunately, the illustrations are not visible. The site is easy to navigate. Google Checkout is used to process payments. I would love to get my hands on a copy of each book, to really give you a better review. In my opinion, these books have the potential to be owned by every school in the nation. These books have a unique approach to creating empathy for a child that has ADD. With the rise of autism (1 out of 150 children are diagnosed with autism) and the increase in ADD/ADHD cases, it can really be a great resource for the child as well as the adult. Like I mentioned before, my 15 yr old was diagnosed with ADD. As many of you know, my 5 yr old was diagnosed on the autism spectrum. My niece (11) and nephew (9) have ADHD. I would love to see their reaction to these books.
Author and school psychologist Michelle Fattig and illustrator Josh Fattig have created the "Annie Book Series", a series of stories about characters Michelle and Josh who have Asperger's Syndrome and Attention Deficit Disorder. In the books, Michelle and Josh use their unique skills to "fight crime, battle evil, and promote world peace". Books are targeted specifically at parents, teachers, professionals and children who face the challenges of Aspergers and ADD. -Psychsplash.com
