| Gift Book Ideas |
Below is a list of some favorites.
Books for Kids:
ABC'S OF AUTISM by M. Davi Kathiresan, 2000
This book was written to educate families, children and professionals, and make them aware of the skills, strengths and capacities of persons with autism. The greatest disservice we do to persons with autism is focusing on their deficits. If we are to assist persons with autism to achieve their full potential then we must not only address their needs, we must also begin to think in terms of the strengths that individuals with autism have. When we presume competence, we empower them!
Forward by Dr.Sally Burton-Hoyle, Executive Director of the Autism Society of Michigan.
$10.00 http://www.autism-mi.org/
How to Be a Friend: A Guide to Making Friends and Keeping Them by Laurie Krasny Brown & Mark Brown Everybody needs friends. Here's how to make them and keep them. Find out: *who can be your friend * how to show someone you would like to be friends *how to handle bosses and bullies * the best ways to be a friend and ways NOT to be a friend and * ways to settle an argument. $14.95**
How Humans Make Friends written and illustrated by Loreen Leedy How do humans make friends? Dr. Zork Tripork has just been to Earth to find out. He shares his discoveries with a group of curious aliens. He explains what human friends do together, like riding bikes and playing together. People make each other feel good by keeping secrets and promises, sharing, telling the truth, and being considerate. But what happens when humans aren't friendly? What if they tell secrets? Or break promises? Or tease one another? Then they have to talk about their conflicts and resolve them. $15.95**
Ian's Walk: A Story about Autism by Laurie Lears; illustrations by Karen Ritz Julie can't wait to go to the park and feed the ducks with her big sister, Tara. There's only one problem. Her little brother, Ian, who has autism, wants to go, too. As they pass Nan's Diner, Julie and Tara notice the yummy sandwiches and ice cream. Ian's stops to watch the ceiling fan slowly turn. At Mrs. Potter's flower stand, Ian wrinkles his nose and turns away from the pretty flowers. But when they get to the Post Office, he puts his nose against the bricks and sniffs the wall. At the park, Ian wanders off on his own and Julie must try to see the world through his eyes in order to find him. In the desperate minutes before she locates him, she realizes how much Ian means to her. $14.95**
Trevor Trevor by Diane Twachtman-Cullen; illustrated by Deidre Sassano Trevor is a child with impressive, though isolated skills, whose characteristics and problems in social relationships suggest ASD. Unfortunately, like so many children with social interaction problems, it is not Trevor's strengths which his classmates notice, but rather his differences. Change comes through the efforts of a caring and sensitive teacher. Meant to be read to children by adults. $15.00**
Jeffrey and the Despondent Dragon by John Sprecher When Jeffrey Sprecher was two years old and newly diagnosed with autism, his father John made up a bedtime story for the young boy. Years later, while discussing the story at a national autism conference, John came to realize that he, perhaps far more than his little son, was the one who really needed to hear the tale and the important lessons it held of life and love that each of us, regardless of our strengths and challenges, can enjoy, value, learn and benefit from. $10.00
Whoever You Are by Mem Fox Every day all over the world, children are laughing and crying, playing and learning, eating and sleeping. They may not look the same. They may not speak the same language. And their lives may be quite different. But inside, they are just like you. Here is a story from beloved author Mem Fox that weaves its way around our earth, across cultures and generations, celebrating the bonds that unite us all. $16.00
Andy and His Yellow Frisbee by Mary Thompson A heartwarming and educational children's book about a boy with autism who displays a fascination for objects in repetitive motion. His classmate Sarah's curiosity about his behavior sets the story in motion. Rosie, Andy's protective sister, supplies background information. Recommended for elementary school-aged siblings, friends and classmates. $14.95
Someone Special, Just Like You by Tricia Brown Author's note: "This book began because of a little girl in my son's nursery school class. She had a disability. I wanted to find a book for my own child to help him understand that we should accept one another for the love we have to share with the world, and not judge on the basis of physical appearances or limitations. As I searched for such a book, I learned that none existed. I originally intended this book for pre-schoolers, hoping to help them to accept and to become more comfortable with the children with disabilities they will meet. As we progressed, it became apparent that this was not only a book about children with disabilities, but about all of us." $5.95
The Care and Keeping of You: The Body Book for Girls by Valorie Lee Schaefer This "head-to-toe" guide answers all your questions, from hair care to healthy eating, bad breath to bras, periods to pimples, and everything in between. With tips, how-to's, letters from girls, and facts from the experts, here's straightforward advice you can really use. $8.95
The Care and Keeping of Friends From the American Girls Library series, this book is loaded with advice on making friends and being a friend. Included: knowing where to look, making the first move, conversation starters, choosing carefully, fighting fair, ice breakers, tips for talking it out, ways to beat the blues, plus crafts, quizzes, and lots more. $7.95
Help! An absolutely indispensable guide to life for girls by Nancy Holyoke You'll find tips on how to deal with family, friends, and feelings. Topics include: bullies, being picked on or picked last, making a friend, losing a friend, messy rooms, procrastination, divorce, boredom, and more. $4.95
More Help! Another absolutely indispensable guide to life for girls by Nancy Holyoke A second helping! This edition features Q&A's on gossip, feeling friendless, homework, feeling left out, being teased, divorce, clothes, and more. $4.95
Taking Autism to School (2001) by Andreanna Edwards Told by Angel, whose friend Sam is autistic, this long-awaited and much-needed book describes the common characteristics of autism. Sample page: In school, we have two teachers in our classroom, Mr. Post and Mrs. Jackson. Mrs. Jackson is Sam's special teacher. Her job is to give Sam extra help when he needs it. Sam and Mrs. Jackson made a daily chart iwth pictures and words on it. The chart tells Sam what he will do each day at school. He likes to know exactly what is going to happen. It also helps Sam if he only does one thing at a time. He usually learns best when there is not too much noise around him. Includes "Ten Tips for Teachers" and "Kids Quiz." Extremely helpful for elementary-aged classmates, siblings, relatives, and neighbors. $11.95**
There's a Boy in Here (2002) by Judy Barron & Sean Barron A classic returns! Through interspersed paragraphs, this unusual point/counterpoint journal by a mother and son chronicles the painful years Sean suffered from autism and his remarkable recovery. Judy is heroically honest about her own lack of control. Sean, whose memories go back to toddlerhood, makes clear how pleased he was by repetition - e.g. switching lights on and off; how angry he got when his arbitrary "rules" were violated; and how frightened he became when a comfortable pattern was disturbed. Notable for its window into the thoughts and feelings of an autistic child - and for its gratifyingly happy ending. $19.95**
Tobin Learns to Make Friends (2001) by Diane Murrell This hardcover, colorfully-illustrated children's book teaches social skills while it tells the story of how Tobin, a train, learns to make friends and engage in proper "train" social activities. Mini chapters include: shouting, crowding, sharing, borrowing, interrupting, taking turns, being kind, manners, and rules. $16.95**
Everybody is Different: A book for young people who have brothers or sisters with autism (2001) by Fiona Bleach As well as explaining the characteristics of autism, this new book is full of suggestions for making family life more comfortable for everyone concerned. Written in a question/answer format, Part 3 is especially helpful in covering topics such as: Why does my brother or sister make strange noises? Repeat things I say? Ask the same question over and over again? Jump, rock, tap, flap or spin? Not look at me? Not like change? Always get his own way? Part 4 concentrates on the feelings of the sibling and what they might be experiencing and offers practical, helpful suggestions to manage difficult times. $9.95**
Face Your Feelings! Card and Book Set The most versative tool you'll find to teach children about feelings! This book and card set will give you unlimited opportunities to help children understand and express feelings. Both the book and cards show 52 pictures of children, teens, adults and seniors expressing 13 basic feelings: happy, sad, loving, angry, surprised, scared, calm, worried, excited, stressed, proud, lonely, and silly. Includes instructions to play 10 different feelings games. Ages 4 and up. $25.00 **
Albert Einstein by Ibi Lepscky When Albert was a little boy, he wasn't good at his school subjects or sports. What he loved best was to count and examine numbers. He loved to gaze up at the night sky. People around him thought he was a mere dreamer. Little did they understand that Albert was developing one of the greatest scientific minds of all time! Written at elementary school level. "An excellent resource to help a child understand their diagnosis." - Tony Attwood $5.95**
**All of these books are available through Autism Resource Network.
"Everybody is a Person: A Book for Brothers and Sisters of Autistic Kids," by C. Bodenheimer. (1979) (Jowonio: The Learning Place, 215 Bassett Street, Syracuse, NY 13210) (Middle school level)
"Please Don't Say Hello," by Phyllis-Terri Gold. (1975). Human Sciences, $10.95 (Upper primary to middle school level)
"Having a Brother Like David," C. Nollette. (1985) (Fraser Child and Family Center, 2520 Minnehaha Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55404 512-729-6001) (Primary to middle school level)
"He Is Your Brother," by Richard Parker. (1974) Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Inc. (out of print) (Middle-junior high school level)
"Able Autistic Children-Children with Asperger's Syndrome: A Booklet for Brothers and Sisters," by Julie Davies, Child Development Research Unit, University of Nottingham, $10 (From Parentbooks in Toronto, 1-800-209-9182, e-mail parentbk@netcom.ca. They have a list of books on autism and Asperger's that they distribute via the Geneva Centre ask for a faxed list if you're interested.)
"Captain Tommy," by Abby Ward Messner. This book for young children is about a young boy who reluctantly agrees to play with someone he perceives to be different, a boy who is on the autistic spectrum. PUP Publishing, $14.95 plus $3.00 s&h. (Make checks payable to The Pup Foundation; Send to PUP, P. O. Box 218, Stratham, NH 03885-0218. Phone: 603-778-6006.) or Future Horizons
"Little Rain Man," by Karen Scioli (1996) Future Horizons, $16.95 Described as very accurate and thoughtful and excellent for educating classmates and siblings.
"Joey and Sam, A Heartwarming Storybook About Autism, A Family, and a Brothers Love," by Illana Katz (1993) Real Live Story Books, $9.95 Award-winning sibling storybook. (ages 4-8)
"Andy and His Yellow Frisbee, by Mark Thompson (1996) Woodbine House, $4.95 (ages 4-8)
"Talking to Angels,"by Esther Watson (1996) Harcourt Brace, $16.00 (ages 4-8)
"Are You Alone on Purpose?" by Nancy Werlin (1996) Juniper, $4.50 (young adult)
"Brothers and sisters" (video), by the Autism Society of Canada. Children and youth sibs talk about their lives and share feelings on growing up with an autistic sib. ($35 Canadian. ASBC, 1584 Rand Avenue, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6P 3G2)
Inspirational Books for Grown-ups:
Just This Side of Normal: Glimpses Into Life with Autism by Elizabeth King Gerlach "When I grow up I want to be a screwdriver!" A small boy spins down the sidewalk. His mother follows him with her eyes and heart. Nicky has autism, a profound disability that affects not only him, but also those around him. Just This Side of Normal is a powerful story of a parent's search for understanding in a world that sometimes makes no sense. $19.95**
Pretending to be Normal by Liane Holliday Willey Pretending to be Normal tells the story of a woman who, after years of self-doubt and self-denial, learned to embrace her Asperger's syndrome traits with thanksgiving and joy. Chronicling her life from her earliest memories through her life as a university lecturer, writer, wife, and mother, the author shares, with insight and warmth, the daily struggles and challenges that face many of those who have AS. "A treasure trove of information and insight." - Tony Attwood $18.95**
A Slant of Sun: One Child's Courage by Beth Kephart In intimate, incandescent prose, the author shares the painful and inspiring experience of loving a child whose "special needs" (PDDNOS) bring tremendous frustration and incalculable rewards. With the help of passionate parental involvement and the kindness of a few open hearts, Jeremy slowly emerges from a world of obsessive play rituals, atypical language constructions, endless pacing, and lonely frustrations. Triumphantly, he begins to engage others, describe his thoughts and passions, and build essential friendships. Ultimately this is a story of the shallowness of medical labels compared to a child's courage and a mother's love. $23.00
The Secret Night World of Cats by Helen Landalf; illustrated by Mark Rimland This wonderful book is the result of a collaboration between author Helen Landalf and her brother, autistic savant, Mark Rimland. "Tabby was Amanda's best friend. They played together everyday, and each night Tabby slept contentedly in her little basket beside Amanda's bed. But one moonlit night Amanda awoke to find Tabby's basket empty! So out the bedroom window she climbed in search of her missing cat. . . " Join Amanda on her magical journey as she searches for Tabby in dens and alleyways, forests and jungles, entering a secret night world inhabited by exotic felines in vivid, imaginative detail. $16.95
">Autism Resource Network
904 Mainstreet #100,
Hopkins, MN 55343
(952) 988-0088
autismshop@aol.com
Checks, Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Purchase Orders are accepted.
Proceeds from purchases are used to support the information and public awareness projects of the Autism Resource Network, a Minnesota nonprofit corporation. A portion is also donated to autism research. Contact the ARN for a free catalog filled with books, toys, games, puzzles and videos geared toward ASD kids, families and educators.
Future Horizons
721 W. Abram Street,
Arlington, TX 76013
(800)489-0727
Fax (817)277-2270
edfuture@onramp.net
Checks, Visa, MC, Amex, Discover, Money orders.
Autism Society of Michigan
6035 Executive Drive, Suite 109 Lansing MI 48911
517-882-2800 or E-mail to MIAUTISM@AOL.COM
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