Reading Across America 2024: Book Recommendations for Children With ASD
Last year, during Read Across America Week, we recommended five books that could spark an interest in reading for children with autism. This year, we did more of the same!
With each recommendation, we included brief descriptions of the stories, why they will resonate with children diagnosed with autism, and the respective age ranges for each book.
1. My Brain Is Magic: A Sensory-Seeking Celebration
Our first book recommendation is My Brain is Magic: A Sensory-Seeking Celebration, which introduces different sensory exercises with animals such as a bee, a sloth, or an owl. These are meant to help stimulate kids and keep them aware of their senses. Throughout the 32-page book, the main character learns how to navigate her feelings and explore her senses.
This book was written by Prasha Sooful, illustrated by Geeta Ladi, and is recommended for children between the ages of 5 and 9. You can learn more about the book here.
2. Different – A Great Thing to Be
Being unique often comes with its own set of challenges. In Different – A Great Thing to Be, Macy is a unique girl who behaves differently than others and investigates the world in unconventional ways, inspiring others to change their outlook on life.
This book encourages readers to celebrate the innate beauty within themselves. The book's message is that being different unites us all. The book was written by Heather Avis and illustrated by Sarah Mensinga. The recommended age range is children 3-7 years old.
3. Wonderfully Wired Brains: An Introduction to the World of Neurodiversity
This book shows children between the ages of 7 and 9 all about the amazing abilities that neurodiverse individuals have and the advocates who are challenging stereotypes. Wonderfully Wired Brains also shows readers what it means to have a safe space where children with autism can feel accepted for who they are.
This book was written by Louise Gooding and illustrated by Ruth Burrows.
4. More Than Words: So Many Ways to Say What We Mean
Our next book recommendation is about a boy named Nathan who is unable to verbally communicate with his classmates. In More Than Words, Nathan learns and shows his classmates that there is more than one way to communicate with one another. The big lesson from the book is that verbal communication is just one of many ways to build meaningful relationships.
This book was written and illustrated by Roz Maclean and recommended for children that are between 4 to 8 years old.
5. When Things Get Too Loud: A Story About Sensory Overload
Our final book recommendation is When Things Get Too Loud: A Story About Sensory Overload.
This 36-page story is about a child with autism named Bo. When Bo becomes overstimulated, he feels his Feel-O-Meter go from a 1-10. One day, Bo becomes overstimulated and wants to hide. He makes a friend that helps when he is feeling overwhelmed.
The book is about sensory overload, how it feels, certain triggers, and what parents or friends can do to help. It was written and illustrated by Anne Alcott and is recommended for children between 3-9 years old.