DINOSAURS FOR DYLAN

Ellie tries to connect with a new friend.

As Ellie’s two fathers, Dad and Daddy, make dinner, Ellie draws a picture of a dinosaur that she plans to give to Dylan, a neurodiverse classmate who is partially verbal. Although Daddy expresses concern about Ellie befriending a child who “sometimes yells and throws toys,” Dad admonishes him, and Daddy quickly changes his mind. Several days later, a teary Ellie tells Dad that Dylan refuses to accept her picture or play with her. After some encouraging words from Dad, Ellie vows to try again. At the school’s open house, Ellie and her fathers meet Dylan’s parents, who thank her for her kindness to Dylan and tell her how much he values her friendship; her pictures now adorn his bedroom, and each night he lovingly caresses them. Though the author makes a laudable effort at helping neurotypical readers understand the experiences of neurodiverse children, the book falls flat. The illustrations are static, while the preachy, sentimental narrative consists mostly of Ellie unpacking her feelings about Dylan; readers never see his perspective. The story also veers into ableist tropes: Dad praises Ellie’s refusal to give up on Dylan, and Dylan’s mother tells Ellie how “lucky” he is to have her in his class—all of which sends the message that befriending a neurodiverse child should be seen as brave or heroic. Dad and Ellie present white, while Daddy is brown-skinned, and Dylan is Black.

A well-intentioned attempt at exploring neurodiversity, laced with shortcomings.