TE 448 Final Project Book Reviews and Pictures

Courtney BusakowskiJuly 1st 2010

When my Autism Gets Too Big!

Book Review: When My Autism gets too big: A Realization Book for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders By Kari Dunn Buron 2003

In a world where awareness of disabilities and disorders is growing it is nice to see a book that focuses solely on the child with Autism. Kari Dunn Buron takes a text and turns it into a guide for young children with Autism. The book uses scribble like pictures, similar to that of a young child, and built in activities to help young children to understand their Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The book uses a scale of 1-5 to help the child rate their Autism. 1 means their Autism is under control and the child feels content a 5 means their Autism is too big and some calming exercise should be used. At various points throughout the book blank lines or boxes are used to allow the child to write or draw how they feel when their autism is at a 1 or a 5. Not only is this book researched, but it is also published by the Autism Asperger Publishing Company making it a credible source for parents who are trying to help their child with Autism.

Although it is important to have stories that use somewhat realistic scenarios to portray Autism I feel this story can really help a child with Autism. It gives the child a one on one approach and allows them to tell their own story through their own pictures and words. All children need to learn to accept themselves and this book allows for just that. Self-acceptance is so important for a young child especially one with a disorder such as Autism.

Ian’s Walk

Book Review: Ian’s Walk: A Story About Autism By Laurie Lears Illustrations by Karen Ritz 1998

As in many stories about Autism, Ian’s Walk shows the reader Autism through the eyes of a sibling. This book takes us on an adventure with Ian and his sister as they walk through the park together. Ian’s sister describes in each page that Ian smells tastes, hears and feels things differently than other people. As we see through the illustrations Ian’s sister is highly frustrated and upset by her brother’s behavior. The illustrations show anger and frustration through hard lines and darker colors.

It isn’t until Ian gets lost that his sister realizes how important her brother is to her. She is forced to put herself in Ian’s shoes and finally does find him. As with many books it is a theme of accepting a sibling or family member and also their Autism that is portrayed in this book. It is a common misconception that Autistic children are unable to do many things and very difficult to be around and we see that in the first half of his story. Ian’s sister does finally see how special her brother is and we see the pictures become softer and brighter.

I think this book would be important for any sibling who is taking that journey through Autism with their brothers or sisters. Although Autistic children do experience events differently than many other people there is something special about this and something we can all learn from these wonderful children.

 

My Brother Charlie

Book Review: My Brother Charlie by Holy Robinson Pete and Ryan Elizabeth Peete Illustrated by Shane W. Evans 2010

Holy Robinson Pete is an advocate for Autism and helping the families of children with Autism. In the picture book My Brother Charlie, which Robinson wrote with her daughter, Ryan whose real life brother RJ has Autism, the theme of family and acceptance is shown.

The narrator Callie takes the reader into her world of living with her twin brother Charlie. We learn about the children’s love of football and music and also about the differences between the two children. It isn’t until the middle of the story that we see Charlie and Callie do have a major difference, Charlie has Autism.

Through the eyes of Charlie’s sister the reader is taken into the lives of Charlie’s family and the ways they help Charlie in his day to day life. Although it is difficult for Callie at times it is also easy to see that Callie clearly loves her brother and his caring nature. The drawn illustrations use vibrant colors and soft edges to portray Charlie and his sister Callie. The illustrations of the story bring to life the emotions that Callie and her brother feel and eventually help to show the triumph of Charlie finally speaking the words “I Love You”.

In my opinion this book shows the wonderful talents and inspiration moments people can gain from a child with Autism. From the opening to the closing statement “Charlie has Autism, but Autism doesn’t’ have Charlie” (pg 30), anyone can truly appreciate the struggles and triumphs of a child with Autism and the family that helps them along the way.

My Brother Is Autistic

Book Review: My Brother Is Autistic by Jennifer Moore Mallinos Illustrations by Marta Fabrage 2008

In Jennifer Moore Mallinos My Brother is Autistic the reader is able to see Autism through the eyes of a sibling. Billy’s brother has been dealing with Billy’s Autism for many years. The two go to school together and much of their everyday lives happen with each other. The book shows us that although Autism awareness is growing many young adults lack the understanding of this disorder. When a child with Autism is disrupted in their routines or a sudden change occurs they may have what some may call a “freak out”. As we see in this book Billy does just that and due to their lack of understanding the children point and laugh at him when he becomes extremely upset.

This book can really teach the reader what it feels like to be the sibling of a child with Autism and the struggles that go along with that. The book uses pictures and images that Billy’s brother would see. The scenes and scenarios are seen through his eyes allowing the reader to get a firsthand look into the world of Billy’s brother and his experience with his brothers Autism.

In my opinion this book takes the theme of acceptance and education a step further by placing it into such an intimate setting. The book really teaches the reader how important it is to be educated about Autism and how one persons attempt to education a young group students can change many people’s lives.

Some Kids Have Autism

Book Review: Some Kids Have Autism by Martha E.H. Rustad 2008

Martha E.H. Rustad takes readers of any age into the lives of children with Autism. This small picture book uses photographs of real children and real scenes to bring the reader into the world or Autism. The book starts out with explaining what Autism is and then goes into what everyday life is like for a child with Autism. The pictures show realistic portrayals of the text that really helps the reader connect to the book. Along with photographs a glossary is also inserted into the book to help the reader fully understand the vocabulary of Autism.

This book portrays the theme of understanding disorders and also seeing that each child with Autism has a very special talent just like any other child. I felt that the text was very descriptive while still being straight forward and clear. Awareness is really shown in this text as is the educational aspect of this disorder. This would be a great book to bring into any classroom of young students to help educate them on the Autism Spectrum Disorder.

 

Final Project Reflection

As I was going through pictures books and novels I discovered that when thinking about Autism is may actually be more useful to use a picture book than just a novel. I decided to look into story books that dealt with the issues in Autism, but also the positive aspects of this disorder. Out of ten picture books I chose 5. I felt that the books I chose gave a good clear description of what Autism is and also helped the reader to see the positive aspects of this disorder. Across the board I noticed that many books gave the perspective of a sibling whether it is a brother or sister of a child with Autism. Out of the five books I chose three of them dealt with a sibling’s perspective. I found this to be interesting but useful. There are many children who have sibling with a disorder and I think it is important to teach children the lesson of acceptance especially within the family.

The other two books I chose for this project were a bit different from the first three. One book was a guide to Autism and what it is by definition. The other book was like a guide to children with Autism on how to manage their disorder. I really wanted to use these books because they shed a positive light on the Autism Spectrum Disorder and can be a tool to help other people understand this disorder more. From my personal experiences and studies I have found that many children with Autism are misunderstood and at ties left out due to their disorder. Some children have difficulties with social situations as well, making it hard for them to interact with their peers. I wanted to find a few books that helped to address the disorder and enable people to have a better understanding of Autism so that children with the disorder could be understood more. I felt these two books did that and showed the positive traits that a child with Autism has as well as their many talents.

In the article The Joan K. Blaska Collection of Children’s Literature Featuring Characters with Disabilities or Chronic Illnesses by Sandra Q.Williams, Christine D. Inkster and Joan K.Blaska there is a lot of discussion about books and books that deal with disabilities. The article says that a child will enjoy a book with characters that are similar to them or that they can relate to (pg 71). The article also says that it is important for children to be able to express themselves and how they feel (pg 71). I think that the picture books I choose did engage the reader by having children with and without disabilities so that any child could relate to a character and there would also be education happenings so the child could express themselves by asking questions about the disorder or situations within the text. I think stereotypes are a really important thing to address and as the article says children do tend to believe stereotypes and so it is important for them to have positive information as well as accurate information (pg 71). By reading these books especially the ones that address what Autism is from an everyday life view children are being exposed to the positive aspects of Autism and not so much the negative stereotypes. In order for children to build relationships they need to understand the differences and similarities between themselves and other children (pg 71). These stories specifically point out how children with Autism are similar to children without Autism and also how they are alike. In My Brother Charlie, Callie specifically points out how she and her brother are alike and how they are different.

Overall I thought each book I read tried to shed a positive light on the subject and really address the strengths of children with Autism. The trend of siblings and even friends was very prevalent throughout the books. Overall I felt the general theme was acceptance. Each book had a storyline that dealt with accepting people with Autism and trying to understand the disorder. I really felt that the books I chose gave a positive portrayal of Autism and could be a useful tool in educating not only young children, but adults as well. I wanted to find books that followed the descriptions in the article and I felt I have done that. I have a very strong attraction to the Autism Spectrum Disorder and hope that books like these continue to be published to help educate people about the disorder and also to help those children the live with the disorder.

Bibliography Page• Bibliography Page• Altman, Alexandra Jessup, Illustrations by Susan Keeter, Waiting for Benjamin; A story about Autism

Morton Grove, Ill: Albert Whitman & Co, 2008• Buron, Kan Dunn When My Autism gets too big: A Realization Book for Children with Autism Spectrum

Disorders Shawnee Mission KS: Autism Asperger Pub. Co 2003• Gagnon, Elisa & Brenda Smith Myles, Illustrations Sachi Tahara This is Asperger Syndrome Shawnee

Mission, Kari: Autism Asperger Pub. CO 1999• Lears, Laure Illustrations by Karen Ritz Ian’s Walk; a story about autism Morton Grove IL: Albert Whitman

1998• Moore-Mallinos, Jennifer Illustrations by Martha Fabrega My Brother is Autistic Hauppauge, N.Y.: Barron’s

2008• Pete, Holy Robinson & Ryan Elizabeth Peete Illustrated by Shane W. Evans My Brother Charlie New York:

Scholastic Press, 2010• Rustad, Martha E.H. Some Kids have Autism Mankato Minn: Capstone Press 2008• Schur, Rosina G. Illustrations by John Strachan Asperger’s Huh? A Child’s Perspective Eleventh Printing

2002• Shall, Celeste & David Harrington, Since We’re Friends An Autism Picture Book, Paw Prints 2009• Shapiro, Ouisie, photographer Steven Vote Autism and Me; Sibling Stories Morton Grove, Ill: Albert

Whitman 2009• Williams, Sandra Q. , Christine D. Inkster, Joan K. Blaska, St. Cloud State University The Joan K. Blaska

Collection of Children’s Literature Featuring Characters with Disabilities or Chronic Illnesses (pg 71) Vol. 31, No.1 Spring 2005. Article taken from Issues of Diversity in Children’s and Adolescent Literature MSU Children’s Literature Team Course pack TE 448 2010

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