In Indieland, we’re seeing more picture books that explore neurodiversity among children and consider the emotional effects of being “wired differently.” In kid-friendly terms, the books explain, for example, the nature of sensory sensitivities or the need for more direct communication styles. These three picks use inventive ways to build awareness and illuminate life on the spectrum.
In Ian’s Show and Tell Surprise, written by Vicenta Montgomery and illustrated by Christopher-James Bolognese-Warrington, Ian wishes his classmates understood him better. In a show-and-tell session, the third grader, who has autism, uses various objects to help his classmates imagine things from his perspective (e.g., a hula hoop represents his tendency to forget about personal space). The classroom is initially shown in grayscale, but each new object introduces more color. “The voice feels authentic to Ian’s experiences, and the empathetic story is based on a presentation the author’s own son did for his third grade class,” says our reviewer. “A sympathetic, engaging, and understanding look at autism.”
Writer and illustrator Dani Haendiges gives readers an abecedarian tour of life with her son, Ollie, in A Is for Autism. Our reviewer notes, “As [Haendiges] travels through the alphabet, one core theme resonates: ‘It is important to know that our neurodiverse kids are not sick; they are just wired differently.’ Starting with apple (Ollie only likes green apples because of the way he processes the world) and ASL, which the boy uses to communicate more smoothly, the author immerses readers in a detailed journey.”
The Amazingly Awesome Amani Battles the Molar Monsters, the latest in the Amazingly Awesome Amani series written by Jamiyl Samuels and Tracy-Ann Samuels and illustrated by iNDOS Studio, shows Amani conquering his anxiety of getting his teeth cleaned. The dentist’s patient approach—he allows Amani to investigate the dental tools and considers Amani’s sensory sensitivities—may help children with or without autism manage their own fears.
Karen Schechner is the president of Kirkus Indie.
