Most individuals do not know what autism is. Holly Robinson Peete and Ryan Elizabeth Peete wrote the book, My Brother Charlie to educate others about what autism is based upon their experiences with an autistic family member. My Brother Charlie is illustrated by Shane W. Evans.
My Brother Charlie is a children’s picture book. It is told from the perspective of Charlie’s twin sister, Callie. The book explains to readers that the brains of persons with autism work differently from most others. According to the book, My Brother Charlie, having autism means it is hard for that person to express one’s feelings verbally or to make friends. As explained in the story, an autistic person can express feelings nonverbally with actions.
I think this story, My Brother Charlie, is good to read to small children, because young children have a tendency to be insensitive and point out another person’s flaws and differences. Each of us can do some things exceptionally well and other things very poorly. Some autistic persons are very talented in certain fields like playing musical instruments or understanding animals. Small children and adults need help recognizing the strengths and weaknesses in every individual.
How one treats another person is more important than the words one says. That is a lesson both adults and children need to understand. Actions speak louder than words. Reading My Brother Charlie can help readers to evaluate individuals based upon nonverbal communication in order to interpret the true feelings, thoughts, attitudes, and motivations locked inside anyone’s brains, not just those of autistic individuals.
At the end of this book review, you will find links associated with one of the authors and with the book, My Brother Charlie. Below, you will find a link to Holly Robinson Peete’s Facebook page. Illustrator, Shane W. Evans, has his own website to feature his art. There are two links to YouTube videos with Holly Robinson Peete’s speaking about autism. You will find a link to the HollyRod Foundation below. “My Brother Charlie” is an annual event sponsored by the HollyRod Foundation. You can look inside of the book, My Brother Charlie, at Amazon.com in order to view the illustrations.
The book, My Brother Charlie, makes readers more knowledgeable about how an autistic brain works in an individual. This story helps readers to become more inclusive and sociable with autistic persons by helping readers to understand autistic persons better. Furthermore, it teaches readers that actions speak louder than words, which can be applied in evaluating any individual, with and without autism.
Reference
Peete, Holly Robinson and Ryan Elizabeth Peete. My Brother Charlie. New York: Scholastic Press, 2010.
Links:
Holly Robinson Peete on Facebook
Holly Robinson Peete on Autism Insurance Reform on YouTube
Holly Robinson Peete on “For Peete’s Sake” and Autism Awareness Month on YouTube
My Brother Charlie at HollyRod Foundation
My Brother Charlie at Rights.Scholastic.com
My Brother Charlie at Amazon.com
My Brother Charlie at Barnes & Noble
Copyright © 2018 www.landofbooksandhoney.com. All rights reserved.