Gifts for Kids with Autism 2014

For years my boy just asked for a gift. 
That was the only clue, "a gift."
He's come a long way, and now sometimes
says, "I don't have the words."
This year he wants "a Christmas book,"
so - well, I'll wander over to Parnassus
Bookstore (I'm a huge fan of independent
bookstores) and turn the problem over
to them.

If you have a lead like "Christmas" or "Dinosaurs,"

you are in good shape. 

Sandra Boynton's Christmastime is an all time 

Christmas favorite.

Quirky animal characters combined with a gently

humorous analysis of all aspects of the holiday season

to provide a richly satisfying read. 

Boynton is even better known for board books,

like Bob and Six Other Christmas Stories.

For dinosaur demanders I recommend

The Big Fearon Book of Dinosaurs

Black and white line drawings illustrate brief

descriptions of dinosaurs. Activities include

coloring pages and sequencing. Elementary level.

World of Dinosaurs and Other Prehistoric Life

by Dougal Dixon.

Full color pictures and easy to understand layout

(name, description on left, picture in center, fact

file column on right) make this a winner for almost

any age, though those who have memorized the

prehistoric era will likely find nothing new.

For the youngest dinosaur lovers, head 

back to Boynton with Oh My, Oh My, Oh

Dinosaurs.

If you don't have a lead, you might want to 

look through some of my past entries here. I also

like Chinaberry for its wonderful descriptions.

If you want toys as well as books, I like Hearthsong -

I just ordered my boy his second perplexus maze since

he adored his first one until his brother threw it across

the room one too many times.

Large toys that create small enclosed spaces are often

popular with our sensory seeking kids -

Please add your gift suggestions! Comments welcome.

And Happy Chanukkah, Merry Christmas, Serene Kwanzaa,

Peaceful Winter Solstice - however you celebrate this time

of year, may you find peace and happiness with your

family.

(Fellow Boynton fans should click on Christmastime. 

You're welcome. Yes, I do accept chocolate.)

Tommysaurus Rex

What if a T - Rex followed your son home?

Would you let him keep it as a pet?

That's the premise of this comic book (sorry, graphic

novel) by Doug TenNapel.

The language and situations are fairly realistic and 

mature (once you accept that a living T-Rex survived

millennia buried in a cave and is dog like except for

the eating cows business).

The dinosaur's giant bodily functions come off big in

the book. Very enjoyable for younger readers, but

you'll have to decide if you want them to read the 

words p--- and c--- and enjoy the graphic pictures

of same.

The family relationships are to the far side of ideal.

The dad complains about his boy's dog right before

a vehicle kills it, and the parents are delighted to 

dump their grieving son with his grampa for the

whole summer. Another boy is a bully (he makes Ely

eat dog p---) because his father has abandoned the

family. Other adults also behave selfishly.

Only the Grampa is wise and kindly, but he's also

manipulative and prevaricates a lot. Also, you have to

question his sanity. Sure, the kid would be upset if he 

couldn't keep the T-Rex. But those people who just lost

their house to the dinosaur look pretty upset too .  .  .

If your kid likes dinosaurs, or you're looking for a well-

illustrated story for reading ages 6 - 12, I still recommend the book. It's a comic book (I mean graphic novel) after all, 

with a silly premise. The somewhat realistic portrayal of adult motivations are likely meant to amuse the adults.  

The treatment of bullies may be of special interest to readers

with autism and may open discussions for all readers (Why do 

you think Randy says mean things? Is Randy happy or unhappy?

Why? Do you think the other kids should tease Randy about his

dad?).

Readers who like color pictures and few words per page will

rejoice.

-Spectrum Mom

"You can't expect a creature to just eat all of your problems away."

Tommysaurus Rex

Doug TenNapel

with color by Katherine Garner

Graphix, A division of Scholastic

2013

140pp

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
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