Ian's Walk: A Story about Autism [Paperback]

Laurie Lears (Author), Karen Ritz (Illustrator)

Book Description

Grade Level: K and up

Julie can't wait to go to the park and feed the ducks with her big sister. Her little brother, Ian, who has autism, wants to go, too. Ian doesn't have the same reactions to all the sights and sounds that his sisters have, and Julie thinks he looks silly.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gr. 2^-3, younger for reading aloud. So genuine are the paintings of narrator Julie, her big sister, Tara, and her younger autistic brother, Ian, that the three children look as though they will continue walking, tying a shoe, or feeding the ducks just as soon as the page is turned. As Tara and Julie take Ian along on their walk to the park, Julie describes how Ian acts differently from most people, showing no interest, for example, in the food or customers in Nan's diner and paying attention only to the rotating ceiling fan. Admirably patient with Ian, Julie nevertheless grows angry with his seemingly stubborn ways. Yet her close observations of her brother serve her well when Ian wanders away. By thinking of what Ian likes to do, Julie finds her brother and ushers him home again. Through its simple plot, the story conveys a complex family relationship and demonstrates the ambivalent emotions Julie feels about her autistic brother. This natural mix of resentment, anger, isolation, loyalty, and love is explained in preliminary notes written by professional pediatric caregivers. Sensitizing readers to these dynamics as well as to the autistic condition, this book offers a valuable, warmly told lesson. Ellen Mandel --This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

Review

"Sensitizing readers to these dynamics as well as to the autistic condition, this book offers a valuable, warmly told lesson."

Booklist

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company (January 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807534811
• ISBN-13: 978-0807534816
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.9 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #191,013 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #36 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Social Issues > Special Needs > Fiction

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A siblings companion book on Autism, May 10, 2002

By 

Bonnie Sayers "autismfamily" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ian's Walk: A Story about Autism (Library Binding)

Even though I have two autistic boys I read Ian's Walk to my older high functioning son who is seven and he instantly noticed similarities to his five year-old brother.

While looking through the pictures you cannot help but share the emotional journey his sister takes while on this walk to the park.

The illustrations are accurately defined and capture the real essence and beauty of Ian as he takes in his surroundings like no one else.

I shared this book with many families and suggested the teachers in both classrooms read Ian's Walk during library time, especially teaching awareness the month of April.

Ian's Walk will help others to identify some symptoms they might not of understood before reading the book. For any parent of an autistic child you might want to read this alone the first time because it can be quite emotional.

You will become more aware of the day in the life of one who is autistic and never take a simple walk to the park for granted and see through the eyes of all those who resemble Ian.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for young siblings/classmates of child with autism, December 20, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Ian's Walk: A Story about Autism (Library Binding)

The cover alone grabbed my attention: I've seen this posture from my son hundreds of times. As the parent of an autistic six-year-old, I found this book a superb, simple story for young companions of a child with autism. The story is straightforward, honest, and evokes compassion without pity. I would even speculate that this story would explain autism to adults with more clarity than any clinical definition.

My son has an older brother in the same elementary school and I've arranged for him to read this story to my autistic son's classmates. Although his classmates see this behavior and much more every day, I hope that the story, related personally, will give them one more thread of understanding. If any book can, this one will.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great help for siblings, December 17, 2004

By 

Elizabeth Rimas - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ian's Walk: A Story about Autism (Library Binding)

My oldest son, age 6, is diagnosed with Autism, as well as Epilepsy and Hypotonia. My almost 4 yr old son loves to have Ian's walk read to him. He's just now realizing that his big brother is different than normally developing children (he's non-verbal, still in diapers, has frequent seizures, has leg braces, etc...) He sometimes gets very frustrated with his big brother and can relate to the way the girls in the book get angry with their brother in similar situations. As much as he loves his brother it's a relief for him to see that it's okay to get angry. It's a very real story about what life is like when you go out in public with an autistic sibling. I think the book has opened up many discussions (on a preschool level and adult level as well) in our house, I would highly recommend it to any family in a similar situation.