Mercy Watson

Kate DiCamillo long since conquered children’s publishing with a Newbery, Boston Horn Book Award, and as a National Book Award finalist. 

Two films based on her books didn’t hurt her reputation any

(though I thought the animated Tale of Desperaux ill-advised to jettison most of the original story).

But the books which most appeal to my family are her starter chapter picture books starring the “porcine wonder,” 

Mercy Watson (Theodore Geisel award). 

Mr. and Mrs. Watson as depicted by illustrator van Dusen 

are rather round and pink themselves, so perhaps their adoption of a pig as surrogate daughter should

not surprise us.

Mercy’s immense fondness for buttered toast and willingness to sleep tucked up in a child’s bed may puzzle adults, 

but children rarely worry about such trifles,

focusing instead on Mercy's attempts to drive a car 

and capture a thief (among other exploits).

Again, the series format allows kids a chance to get familiar with the characters,

who include not only the Watsons, but their neighbors, 

the elderly Lincoln sisters (Eugenia and Baby, who both embody and defy older women in kids' stories stereotypes),

and various bit players like Officer Tomallelo.
I've mentioned Mercy before, as a librarian pick, and
if you're interested in finding other good choices for elementary readers, you may want to visit that blog 
entry. 

Danny and the Dinosaur

There are the books my twelve year old is 
assigned to read in the seventh grade, and
then there are the books that are actually in
his head. This morning he was quoting
from Danny and the Dinosaur, so what
the hey,  I'm going to review Danny and
the Dinosaur.
At the library today I was discussing early
readers with the librarian and trying to 
find a tactful way of describing why my
six year old did not enjoy most of the
readers.
"The stories are kind of .  .  . " I hesitated.
"Stupid?" she supplied. "Yes, we'll sometimes
pull one out for story time because it fits the
theme, look at it and put it right back."
Danny and the Dinosaur is not stupid.
It's pure wish fulfillment. You go to the
museum, you see the dinosaur, you want
the dinosaur, the dinosaur follows you
home and is the best playmate ever.
Well, not you maybe, but that's what
happens to Danny.
The author/illustrator Syd Hoff also wrote 
Captain Cat which my (then) four year old chose,
much to my chagrin, over much prettier
books. So the bold cartoony style appeals
to my boys, and probably most kids.
There is a list near the beginning of things
in the museum, and that's what my son
quoted this morning. It is a very easy reader
with rhythmic logical words.
Note: if anyone can think of a book for a 
twelve year old that would interest my 
twelve year old, I would be very grateful.
His interest is entirely in the words, and
not the story at all.
Yours Somewhat Desperately,
Spectrum Mom
*Find other Danny fans & 
share your thoughts 
https://www.facebook.com/autism.reads 
(or you can comment here)

Bright and Early Books

Bright and Early Books for Beginning Beginners stand out in
the early reading field because (to quote the blurb)
THE STORY is brief and funny.
THE WORDS are few and easy,
and have a happy, catchy rhythm.
THE PICTURES are clear and
colorful clues to the text.
If you've read other posts by me, those qualities should sound
familiar. They work for a lot of kids with autism. As does rhyme,
which most of these books use.
You may remember these books from your own childhood.
They've stayed in print since then because they work.
My grocery store even sells the board book version
of Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?
I own a board book of The Tooth Book,
though this post was inspired when the 
neurotypical, reluctant beginning reader 
happily read The Ear Book and I remembered
the happy (if repetitive) times his brother with
autism and I read The Foot Book.
The Cat in the Hat is the logo for all the books,
which may be enough to get many kids to pick
it up.
Dr. Seuss, animal sounds, body parts, and truly
simple words - what more could you ask for 
in a reader?
Have a happy and independent reading Fourth
of July!
-Spectrum Mom 

Nursery Rhyme Time

My boy reads Mother Goose the way others do sudoku.

Neither activity makes much sense to me. But I knew

he'd love this collection of comics by by cartoonists

(including Jules Feiffer) illustrating nursery and nonsense

rhymes. He read/sang his way through the volume in about

half an hour last night, no prompting required. He skipped

some, I don't know why, reread others, ditto.

Your eleven year old may not share this fascination, but

this is a great collection for younger readers. Sweet, 

quirky, and funny it reminds me of a lot of kids I know-

especially my own.

-Spectrum Mom

Nursery Rhyme Comics: 50 Timeless Rhymes from 50 Celebrated Cartoonists [Hardcover]

 Chris Duffy (Editor), Leonard S. Marcus (Introduction)