In the past few years there has been an increase in the number of stories written about Austistic spectrum disorders. These stories have in the most part been written as tools to help parents teach other children in the family about what it means to be different, and to try and explain why children with Autistic spectrum disorders behave the way they do.
Looking after Louis
Lesley Ely; illustrated by Polly Dunbar
There is a boy at school called Louis who is very special. He often stares at the wall, and repeats what people say, and during breaks he runs around the game of football without joining the game. The girl who sits with him often helps Louis to choose crayons and keeps an eye on him in the playground. Then one day Louis draws a very special picture.
This is a picture book that is designed to help children understand more about autism, and is a great first introduction. The pictures are bright and interesting, and there is a nice sense of closure at the end of the story that makes this a particularly valuable.
Recommended for ages 5 +.
Reviewed by Erika.
Blue bottle mystery
Kathy Hoopmann
Ben always seems to be getting in trouble for things at school, and he can't understand why. He hates crowds, hates people touching him, and often gets in trouble with his dad because he likes to play with computers all the time. Then one day Ben and his friend Andy find a blue bottle in the garden at school, a blue bottle that has a strange smoke come out as soon as it is opened.
This is a fantastic story for children about Asperger syndrome. I would particularly recommend this book for the siblings of children with Asperger syndrome, and other children who known Asperger children.
Recommended for ages 7 +.
Reviewed by Erika.
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Lisa and the lacemaker
Kathy Hoopmann
Lisa has Asperger syndrome and hates going to parties, and almost anything else that breaks her routines. At one party Lisa meets her Great Aunt Hannah and finds that she has finally met someone at a party that she actually likes. Then while she is with Ben and Andy at Ben's house, the three of them find a strange set of rooms - rooms that Lisa thinks are haunted.
Although this book is not quite as good as the Blue bottle mystery, parents will find this a helpful tool to teach their children about Asperger syndrome and some of the ways that it can affect an Asperger child.
Recommended for ages 7 +.
Reviewed by Erika.
Seriously weird
Gene Kemp
There is something different about Troy - he's really good at maths and numbers, but he says and does weird things all the time. His sisters and father think that he is unusual, even weird - but his mother refuses to see him as anything but perfect. Then Troy starts getting into real trouble and ends up being excluded (suspended) from school. Troy's sister Claire provides the voice for her family as this story takes you on a ride through the life of this family.
Although it is not explicitly stated, it is implied that Troy has some kind of Autistic Spectrum Disorder, and this story focuses on how Claire and her family cope with the strain of Troy's unique outlook on the world.
Recommended for ages 9 +.
Reviewed by Erika.
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