School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2-These three titles will help readers learn some valuable life skills. Relying on minimal text, with important words in bold, Stickley introduces children to a frog whose feet stick to everything they come into contact with but who learns the importance of persevering despite obstacles. Circus Town describes a circus whose performers are suffering from flagging self-esteem but who become more self-assured through the encouragement of Ringmaster Rick. All My Stripes focuses on Zane, a zebra who fears that others in his class will ostracize him for his "autism stripe" (a mark over his forehead that denotes his condition) but who, with the help of his supportive mother, learns to accept himself. Bright, cartoonlike illustrations differ from book to book but are cheerful and upbeat, while the writing is simple and accessible, if purposeful. All titles include notes for parents and caregivers on the subjects, strategies for helping children cope, and web resources. VERDICT Adequate additions where needed.-Janene Corbin, Rosebank Elementary School, Nashville, TN © Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. |
Booklist Review
Kindergartner Zane shares his sadness about feeling different with his wise and gentle mother. It has been a frustrating day in which Zane has been teased for his various sensory-processing challenges and confused by idiomatic expressions he understands as literal. His mother gently reassures him that, like every zebra, he has many stripes: yes, he has an autism stripe, and he also has stripes indicating his caring nature, his honesty, his curiosity, and more. This picture book's text presents autism awareness in a manner that invites and engages both children with that autism stripe as well as their classmates, friends, and siblings without it. Zivoin's colorful, bouncy illustrations give the zebras varying stripey looks, from Zane's angular forelock and right-angled belly marks to his mother's swirls and a classmate's curlicues. End matter includes explanatory notes for each scene depicted, information for parents about handling social issues with autistic children, and more. Pair with Celeste Shally's Since We're Friends (2007) and Pat Thomas' I See Things Differently (2014).--Goldsmith, Francisca Copyright 2015 Booklist |