An important, accessible take on understanding autism spectrum disorder.
In this debut children’s book, a young bunny and his parents deal with his diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.
Floppy Lop-Ears is just an average young bunny—every day, he puts on his favorite outfit and eats Hunny Bunny cereal before school. He likes all of his school subjects and he eats green gelatin every day at lunch. But when his Hunny Bunny cereal, favorite outfit and green gelatin aren’t available, Floppy feels his tummy harden, and he starts to get upset and throw fits—for which he is frequently teased at school. When Floppy’s parents take him to a special doctor, they learn he has autism spectrum disorder. The doctor explains to Floppy and his parents that Floppy’s brain just works a little differently than others and that it’s just fine to be different. But Floppy doesn’t want to stand out from the kids in his class, so he tries to find ways to get “off the spectrum.” Through conversations with his parents and his classmates, Floppy learns that his atypical characteristics make him unique. Flynn’s exceptional viewpoint as both doctor (she is a board-certified pediatrician) and patient (she was diagnosed with ASD) makes this book even more important. Instead of talking at the child or parent reader, Flynn speaks from a place of deep knowledge and experience. She recognizes that there are many parts to ASD, and while some aspects may be perceived to be negative, Flynn notes, through Floppy’s doctor, some positive qualities: Children and adults with ASD are “good at noticing little details” and memorizing information. This work shows children that it’s OK to be nervous or afraid about their diagnoses—their parents and doctors will be there every step of the way. And for parents, Flynn goes so far as to include a description of her own experiences with ASD. She provides notes on suggestions and ways to talk about ASD, along with resources. It’s also worth mentioning that illustrator Allen’s sharply drawn images are a bright, fun addition to a work with rather serious subject matter. For recently diagnosed children, along with their friends and parents, this book is a great resource.
An important, accessible take on understanding autism spectrum disorder.Pub Date: April 24, 2014
ISBN: 978-1496903846
Page Count: 78
Publisher: AuthorHouse
Review Posted Online: Oct. 2, 2014
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Uncomplicated fun that sets readers up for the earlier, more-complicated books to come.
Little Blue Truck and his pal Toad meet friends old and new on a springtime drive through the country.
This lift-the-flap, interactive entry in the popular Little Blue Truck series lacks the narrative strength and valuable life lessons of the original Little Blue Truck (2008) and its sequel, Little Blue Truck Leads the Way (2009). Both of those books, published for preschoolers rather than toddlers, featured rich storylines, dramatic, kinetic illustrations, and simple but valuable life lessons—the folly of taking oneself too seriously, the importance of friends, and the virtue of taking turns, for example. At about half the length and with half as much text as the aforementioned titles, this volume is a much quicker read. Less a story than a vernal celebration, the book depicts a bucolic drive through farmland and encounters with various animals and their young along the way. Beautifully rendered two-page tableaux teem with butterflies, blossoms, and vibrant pastel, springtime colors. Little Blue greets a sheep standing in the door of a barn: “Yoo-hoo, Sheep! / Beep-beep! / What’s new?” Folding back the durable, card-stock flap reveals the barn’s interior and an adorable set of twin lambs. Encounters with a duck and nine ducklings, a cow with a calf, a pig with 10 (!) piglets, a family of bunnies, and a chicken with a freshly hatched chick provide ample opportunity for counting and vocabulary work.
Uncomplicated fun that sets readers up for the earlier, more-complicated books to come. (Board book. 1-4)Pub Date: Jan. 2, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-544-93809-0
Page Count: 16
Publisher: HMH Books
Review Posted Online: March 3, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2018
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Beloved Little Blue takes a bit of the mystery—and fear—out of Halloween costumes.
A lift-the-flap book gives the littlest trick-or-treaters some practice identifying partygoers under their costumes.
Little Blue Truck and his buddy Toad are off to a party, and they invite readers (and a black cat) along for the ride: “ ‘Beep! Beep! Beep!’ / says Little Blue. / ‘It’s Halloween!’ / You come, too.” As they drive, they are surprised (and joined) by many of their friends in costume. “Who’s that in a tutu / striking a pose / up on the tiniest / tips of her toes? / Under the mask / who do you see?” Lifting the flap unmasks a friend: “ ‘Quack!’ says the duck. / ‘It’s me! It’s me!’ ” The sheep is disguised as a clown, the cow’s a queen, the pig’s a witch, the hen and her chick are pirates, and the horse is a dragon. Not to be left out, Little Blue has a costume, too. The flaps are large and sturdy, and enough of the animals’ characteristic features are visible under and around the costumes that little ones will be able to make successful guesses even on the first reading. Lovely curvy shapes and autumn colors fade to dusky blues as night falls, and children are sure to notice the traditional elements of a Halloween party: apple bobbing, lit jack-o’-lanterns, and punch and treats.
Beloved Little Blue takes a bit of the mystery—and fear—out of Halloween costumes. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: July 5, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-544-77253-3
Page Count: 16
Publisher: HMH Books
Review Posted Online: July 19, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2016
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