Natalie Hale
Author, Illustrator, Graphic Designer, Homeschooler, and Publisher

Based in Los Gatos, California, Natalie Hale is the founder and president of Special Reads for Special Needs, an innovative publisher of emergent reader materials for children with special challenges. A national speaker on the topic, "Reading Made Easy for Learners with Special Needs," Natalie is also the parent of an adult with Down syndrome. She combined her teaching experience with her previous publishing experience to fill a need for what she calls "Bridge Books," early reading books that offer the struggling reader a fun, quickly successful bridge to more advanced reading material. Quick early success can make all the difference in creating a lasting "can do" attitude in learners with challenges. Natalie's books are coupled with interactive CD-ROMs designed by a nationally respected SLP, Jennifer Mitchell. The CD-ROMs provide additional reading and language support, not to mention fun!

In addition to Special Reads for Special Needs books, Natalie has been published previously by other publishing houses; her most recent book was with the American Psychological Association, "Oh, Brother! Growing Up With a Special Needs Sibling."

Contact: info@specialreads.com

“I read a whole book all by myself!” Confidence-Building Storybooks with Interactive Language-Building Software. Software includes match to auditory and match to visual games. Storybooks are visually clear and packed with humor and child appeal.

EARLY READING SERIES

From Emergent Reader to Second Grade Level
Ideal for use in Inclusive Classrooms, Homeschooling, and achieving NCLB goals

These books are formatted with a unique design which speeds the reading process, overcomes learning weaknesses, and plays to the strengths of children who learn differently. These high-interest sets include interactive CD-ROMs with fun reading activities which guide children to reading accuracy.

FOR BEGINNING READERS

Starter Set of Step One Materials
Designed for amazingly fast success, confidence, and fun!

A Step One picture or concept book is appropriate for non-readers and just-beginning readers. The large type, high-focus format and clear, engaging illustrations make an easy first step on the road to reading.

The CD-ROMs contain interactive reading activities, as well as Printable Flash Cards (as PDF files) and other materials.

On-computer activities include: extra visual practice (matching words to pictures) and auditory practice (hearing the word and selecting the correct word), with encouraging sounds for correct choices.

Off-computer activities include print-outs for games matching pictures and words; additional large flash cards can also be printed as an extra set for matching tests.

Click on book cover for more information:

Spaghetti! Book and CD-ROM

What do you do with spaghetti if you love it? Do you kiss it? Hug it? Wear it? Kids giggle their way through this one.

I Want Pizza Book and CD-ROM

What happens when a child wants to eat pizza morning, noon, and night? This engaging book teaches more than reading!

How Many Pizzas? Book and CD-ROM

This first title in the "Many" Mini Series teaches numbers from zero to ten in our high-focus format.

So Many Colors Book and CD-ROM

With the help of a mouse and lots of ice cream, the second title in the "Many" Mini Series teaches eleven basic colors. Bonus: matching game included.

So Many Feelings Book and CD-ROM

A welcome and much-needed book for teaching children the words and concepts for many different feelings.

PICTURE BOOK SET: Steps 1, 2, and 3
Plan ahead for your child or student with picture books in all three steps!

This appealing set is ideal for use either at home or in an inclusive classroom, and spans three reading levels for specially targeted reading support.

The CD-ROMs contain interactive reading activities, as well as Printable Flash Cards (as PDF files) and other materials.

On-computer activities include: extra visual practice (matching words to pictures) and auditory practice (hearing the word and selecting the correct word), with encouraging sounds for correct choices.

Off-computer activities include print-outs for games matching pictures and words; additional large flash cards can also be printed as an extra set for matching tests.

Click on book cover for more information:

I Want Pizza Book and CD-ROM

What happens when a child wants to eat pizza morning, noon, and night? This engaging book teaches more than reading!

A Step One picture book is appropriate for non-readers and just-beginning readers. The large type, high-focus format and clear, engaging illustrations make an easy first step on the road to reading.

Spaghetti! Book and CD-ROM

What do you do with spaghetti if you love it? Do you kiss it? Hug it? Wear it? Kids giggle their way through this one.

A Step One picture book is appropriate for non-readers and just-beginning readers. The large type, high-focus format and clear, engaging illustrations make an easy first step on the road to reading.

Peanut Butter Party Book and CD-ROM

The party's going great, but peanut butter gets everywhere...

A Step 2 picture book is for children who have begun to read, but who have difficulty with fluency and focus.

Macaroni and Baloney Book and CD-ROM

Tasha thinks macaroni is gooey; Ted thinks baloney stinks! Can these two friends work their way through a lunchtime argument?

A Step 3 picture book is for children who are more experienced readers but are not yet comfortable with standard reading books; for children who need help with fluency and focus.