Karen James

A year ago, I would have resisted picking up a Pokemon book. A few weeks
ago, we were in the book store, looking for anything, and Ethan found this
"Ultimate Pokemon" book. The old voice in my brain leaped forward and said
"No. What is useful in that? It's too commercial. Try to steer his
attention to something else. I don't even know what Pokemon is." My
fresher, (but still freshening brain), said "Hmmm. Here is a chance to
apply what I am learning on this list and in my reading. He is interested
in this. Of all the books in the bookstore, he chose this one. Here is my
chance to support his interests without bias."

So, I said sure. "Want anything else?" Nope. He (age 7) read it all the
way home, and past midnight in his room. He began asking me: "How high is 4
feet?" "How do you tell the symbol for inches from the symbol for feet?"
"How much do I weigh?" Then he began making comparisons of the sizes of
Pokemon to himself. We went to the library and took out the maximum number
of videos we could on our card--all Pokemon. He was jumping for joy. We
watched them, and we went back for more--twice in one week!

Now, he has started drawing characters and writing stats for them. He
calculates the maximum damage each character can do, given their weaknesses
and resistances. Today, he designed, and made his own Energy cards. He is
making characters out of sculpy, and has designed his favourite character
costume to wear this Halloween. He has given two of his favourite cards to
his good friend, and is currently trying to teach him how to play the game.
Oh, and by the way, I'm hooked on it too! It is full of everything.

So, I want to say thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences and
answering all of our questions. Your efforts go directly into the homes of
others and make positive change happen. If I had listened to that old voice
of mine, I wouldn't be watching my son do all of the things I couldn't coax
him to do a year ago.

Gratefully,
Karen.
jamesfamilyedutrip.blogspot.com


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Jenny Cyphers

***A year ago, I would have resisted picking up a Pokemon book. A few weeks
ago, we were in the book store, looking for anything, and Ethan found this
"Ultimate Pokemon" book. The old voice in my brain leaped forward and said
"No. What is useful in that? It's too commercial. Try to steer his
attention to something else.***

I'm so glad you stopped yourself and got the book!!!! I wrote a very short bit
about Pokemon at my blog. What I like the most about it, is the anonymous
comment that I got on it! That comment says so much and is so inspiring!
http://jenniferstar.blogspot.com/2009/04/morning-thoughts.html





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Jennifer Schuelein

I am very happy for you!

Pokemon opened my son's world. He has Asperger's Syndrome with delayed reading/writing. Pokemon books and games helped him learn how to read! It relieved so much stress and worry as we had tried so many other methods of learning/teaching. Anyway, I am glad for you and your child.

--- In [email protected], Jenny Cyphers <jenstarc4@...> wrote:
>
> ***A year ago, I would have resisted picking up a Pokemon book. A few weeks
> ago, we were in the book store, looking for anything, and Ethan found this
> "Ultimate Pokemon" book. The old voice in my brain leaped forward and said
> "No. What is useful in that? It's too commercial. Try to steer his
> attention to something else.***
>
> I'm so glad you stopped yourself and got the book!!!! I wrote a very short bit
> about Pokemon at my blog. What I like the most about it, is the anonymous
> comment that I got on it! That comment says so much and is so inspiring!
> http://jenniferstar.blogspot.com/2009/04/morning-thoughts.html
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>