Jill Lauren has a B.S. and M.A. in Learning Disabilities from Northwestern University. She has been teaching LD students of all ages for over twenty-five years. Known as an expert in the area of reading and writing, Jill has trained teachers around the country to utilize a variety of structured, multi-sensory approaches to the instruction of reading and written language. Jill has also worked with various schools to implement successful reading programs. As a result of the publication of Succeeding with LD, Jill has been asked to speak to children and adults about the important lessons learned from success stories. In 2008, a third edition of Succeeding with LD, was released, with a special “Where are They Now” section that includes updated profiles. In 2009, an inspiring, new book is being published in the fall, entitled That’s Like Me!. This colorful children’s picture book profiles fifteen new people, including a fireman, Arctic explorer, wrestler, and a flying trapeze artist. Jill currently conducts a private practice in educational remediation and consultation for learning disabled students in New York City, and lectures upon request.

What do the trapeze artist, race car driver, and Arctic explorer in That’s Like Me! have in common? They are just three of the fifteen kids and adults profiled in Jill Lauren’s new book about successful people who learn differently. Each person shares his or her inspiring story of facing the challenge of school, while pursuing important goals. Through their voices they encourage others to work hard and find hobbies that build self-esteem. The foreword is written by award-winning children’s illustrator, Jerry Pinkney (who is also dyslexic).

Author Jill Lauren is known as an expert in her field, and has been teaching kids and adults who learn differently for over twenty-five years. “Time and again, my students have shown me the importance of learning from success stories. Reading about others who have similar struggles enables my students to recognize that they are not alone. They also benefit by learning from the experiences of others.” That’s Like Me! Introduces young children to students and adults from whom they can learn important lessons. Jill Pages had a hard time reading and sitting still when she was young, but she harnessed that excess energy to become a world-famous trapeze artist. Dean Abbey was seven when he was placed in special classes, but racing Legends cars helped him realize the importance of working hard to be successful. Ann Bancroft learned she was LD at an early age, but her difficulties in school were no match for her love of outdoor adventure. In fact, her “go get ’em” approach to academics was exactly what helped her to become the first woman in history to cross the ice to the North Pole. Each of the fifteen profiles illuminates a way to navigate school, and stresses the importance of finding a hobby that makes kids feels empowered.

Read these moving profiles and others in this essential children’s color picture book. It is sure to comfort, inspire, and educate children with learning disabilities and the adults who support them. An invaluable resource list for adults and students is included, as well as a place for kids to write their own success stories.

Succeeding with LD contains true and inspiring stories as told by children and adults with learning differences. A few individuals are famous, but most are not. All invite you into their lives, talk about people who helped them, remember times when they felt frustrated, sad or angry, and offer wise advice. Each person profiled also describes the resources they used to focus on their strengths and to never give up. First published in 1997, this new edition includes a “10-years later” update about each individual.