My Brother Charlie

When we were babies, I snuggled and giggled with Mommy.

But Charlie was different. He wouldn't play with me.

As we grew older, Mommy discovered that Charlie's brain works in a special way, 

because Charlie has autism. 

Today is the World Autism Awareness Day, and to honor those affected by this very challenging disorder, I am reviewing the picture book My Brother Charlie, co-written by actress Holly Robinson Peete and her daughter Ryan Elizabeth Peete. My Brother Charlie tells the story of a brother and sister, one with autism and one without, and addresses the heartache that can accompany being the sibling of a child suffering from autism.

Callie loves her brother Charlie very much, but sometimes it's hard dealing with his quirks, such as when he doesn't want to play with others, or giggle. As with most autistic children, words come sparingly to Charlie, but Callie tells how autistic children are still able to show love and affection through eye contact or a simple touch. And while it can be difficult and very frustrating at times, Callie explains that having an autistic brother isn't always bad. Like most children, Charlie has special gifts, including the ability to connect well with animals and an exceptional memory - he can recite the names of all the American presidents!

What makes My Brother Charlie such a wonderful book is it's lessons of love and tolerance, and how it encourages children to appreciate and understand the differences in others. It is a great resource for any adult who wants to explain what autism is to young children. As the aunt of a 6 year-old nephew with autism, I really appreciate the warmth and honesty of this book. If you are a neighbor, teacher, parent or sibling who has been looking for a way to explain autism to a little one, you can't go wrong with My Brother Charlie.

My Brother Charlie

Written by: Holly Robinson Peete & Ryan Elizabeth

Illustrated by: Shane W. Evans

My Friend Has Autism

My Friend Has Autism by Amanda Doering Tourville, is a book about a kid named Nick and his friend Zack. Zack doesn't always respond when Nick talks to him and he can even walk away when Nick is talking to Zack. The book explains that when Zack does those types of things, it is because of his Autism, and that Zack doesn't mean to be rude, it's just something in his brain doesn't grow the way that it should, which is why Autistic children can have behaviors that are odd to others. Some Autistic children don't talk, or only talk about their own interests.

Another aspect of Autism that the book explains is how Autistic children are more sensitive to sound than those without Autism, and how they don't like to be touched. It's not because they aren't friendly, they just have sensory overload which makes them that way.

Nick thinks Zack is a great friend, and despite his Autistic oddities,  likes him better than all his other friends because like Zack likes to play with model airplanes with Nick, and they play video games together. The best part of the book is that Nick realized Zack isn't that much different than other kids his age. He just has a few quirks. And that's okay.

My Friend Has Autism is a great book to read to children who have questions about Autism. It's also a great book to read to your child if you want to make sure your child grows up to be sensitive to special needs children; this book will will help them understand the quirks of Autistic children around them. It's a great book for children and adults alike. By buying this book, you will help dispel myths and educate others on Autism. And education is a beautiful thing!