Under the Desk, written by Amanda Le Roux and illustrated by Michael P. Burke, is an introduction to children about learning disorders such as myopia (nearsightedness) and dyslexia. Often, young students do not realize that other children may be very smart but find themselves limited by problems they do not understand or know how to explain to an adult.

This book focuses on a young girl, Maria, who is nearsighted and can't read. Her solution is to hide under her desk when the pressures become too stressful to handle. Finally, a teacher notices that she can't read well and determine Maria must go to see an eye doctor.

After Maria gets her new glasses, she STILL can't read and is certain she is simply stupid while all the other kids are smart. She tries and tries to find ways to hide her problem, even giving away her favorite lunch items to another child in order to get the child to do her school work for her.

Disaster hits when Maria's friend moves away, leaving her all alone to deal with her inability to read well. At long last, she encounters the school principal who, having experienced dyslexia himself, realizes exactly what is going on and helps Maria and her parents find solutions.

The learning experience for children here is that everyone who is different in some way is not stupid or dumb and even those who have disabilities can be wonderful friends who should be treated kindly.

Aaspirations Publishing is the publisher of this wonderful, fun-to-read children's book and the associated Teaching Guide. The price is very affordable and it would make a great gift to your child, a friend's child, or to your local school library.

Don't let your child miss out on this great book which is a fun way to introduce the difficult subject of learning challenges. Help your child and other children learn to read and learn about why some children find it hard to learn the small skill.