Skip to main content
Displaying 1 of 1
All my stripes : a story for children with autism
2015
Where is it?
Fiction/Biography Profile
Characters
Zane (Boy), Zebra, Autistic, Suffers from autism; learns from his mother that it makes him special
Genre
Fiction
Juvenile
Animal
Topics
Animals
Zebras
Autism
Emotional support
Self-acceptance
Mothers and sons
Large Cover Image
Trade Reviews
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
Summary

A helpful story for kids with autism spectrum disorders as they follow a young zebra who learns to understand how he is different from the rest of his classmates.

"It teaches us to embrace not only who we are, but also to embrace the people around us who are brilliantly different thanks to their own amazing, colorful stripes."--Stan Lee, Chairman emeritus of Marvel Comics

Gold Medal, Mom's Choice Awards. Foreword by Alison Singer, President, Autism Science Foundation.

Zane the zebra often feels different. He worries that his classmates don't notice his "curiosity," "honesty," or "caring stripes," just his "autism stripe." With the help of his Mama, Zane comes to appreciate all his stripes, including his "autism stripe," as the unique strengths that make him who he is.

Includes a Reading Guide with additional background information about autism spectrum disorders and a Note to Parents and Caregivers with tips for finding support.

Excerpt:

All My Stripes provides readers a small yet enlightening glimpse into a day in the life of a young, smart, caring, honest, and curious zebra named Zane. Zane is experiencing challenges at school often associated with autism spectrum disorders. This story can serve as a teaching tool for caregivers--such as parents, grandparents, and teachers--to help other children and family members understand the various challenges individuals on the autism spectrum face on a day-to-day basis. Those that are highlighted in this story are discussed in more depth in the Reading Guide.

Librarian's View
Displaying 1 of 1