Product Description

This heartwarming story introduces young readers to autism, a disability that can be particularly confusing for those who know little about it. Mary Thompson, author My Brother, Matthew brings her charming story alive with vivid watercolours. 'Around and around went the frisbee. Around and around and around, all recess long.' Sarah, the new girl at school, is curious about why Andy spins his yellow frisbee every day by himself on the playground. In fact, Andy's seeming fascination for objects in motion is characteristic of his autism. When Sarah tries to talk to Andy in the playground, Rosie, Andy's older sister, watches and worries about how her brother may react. Rosie knows that Andy is in his own world most of the time, and that he has trouble finding the words to express himself. Though he doesn't talk to her, Sarah thinks she understands why Andy spins things so much. And Rosie is relieved to see that her brother doesn't need her protection. She's hopeful about Andy's next encounter with Sarah.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #227705 in Books
• Published on: 2002-11-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 19 pages

From School Library Journal

Gr 1-3--A sympathetic view of childhood autism from a young person's point of view. Sarah, a new girl at school, sees Andy by himself on the playground and is curious about his preoccupation with spinning a yellow frisbee. His sister Rosie watches Andy protectively from her soccer game and is fearful that the new girl will disturb his fragile composure. As Rosie thinks of Andy's problem, she explains autism to readers. Soft, watercolor illustrations reinforce the tenderness that Rosie feels toward her brother. There is none of the cruelty or lack of acceptance sometimes encountered by children with disabilities just because they are "different." At the end of the book, Thompson offers factual information about autism, its different degrees and characteristics. Andy is a book that will help youngsters see how those with special needs may be different but deserve tolerance and kindness just like all children do. A brief list for further reading offers other titles about autism from this publisher.

Betty Teague, Blythe Academy of Languages, Greenville, SC

Copyright 1997 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From the Publisher
A Review...

"A sympathetic view of childhood autism from a young person's point of view. Sarah, a new girl at school, sees Andy by himself on the playground and is curious about his preoccupation with spinning a yellow frisbee. His sister Rosie watches Andy protectively from her soccer game and is fearful that the new girl will disturb his fragile composure. As Rosie thinks of Andy's problem, she explains autism to readers. Soft, watercolor illustrations reinforce the tenderness that Rosie feels toward her brother. There is none of the cruelty or lack of acceptance sometimes encountered by children with disabilities just because they are "different." At the end of the book, Thompson offers factual information about autism, its different degrees and characteristics. Andy is a book that will help youngsters see how those with special needs may be different but deserve tolerance and kindness just like all children do. A brief list for further reading offers other titles about autism from this publisher." --School Library Journal, January 1997

About the Author
Mary Thompson

Customer Reviews

Stereotype Alert!
As an educator who works with young children with autism, I must caution about the stereotyping risk of this book. Autism is too complicated to simplify into one boy and his spinning frisbee. The book portrays a boy who, "wanted to be in his own world just about all the time." True, many kids with autism prefer to play alone, but also there are many who would like to play with others but do not know how to initiate play or respond to typical play situations. Others love to be hugged and enjoy some social interaction. The wording in this book may lead some people to believe that all people with autism want to be left completely alone. Simply not that simple.

Andy misses the mark
I'm not a big fan of this book. It clearly tried to present a positive message but I feel it failed. While I'm thankful for the interest that the girl on the playground has in Andy, it seems he is presented as a bit of a novelty act, with his sensational spinning skills. The suggestion that he is a real puzzle and doesn't act like other kids, only managed to highlight differences between children. Is this really something that we need to teach children?

Disturbing ending
I found the content of this book to be excellent, particularly for older children. That is, until I got to the last page or so. As an educator of children with autism I found the ending quite disturbing. The sister in the story explains autism very sweetly to the girl, then takes the girl away from her brother to play with her herself. The book seemed to me to indirectly teach children that if you come across a child with autism it is best to ignore them because they have no interest in you. A much more appropriate ending would in fact be to have the sister teach the girl how to interact with her brother appropriately.