With the Light: Raising an Autistic Child, Vol. 1 [Paperback]

Keiko Tobe (Author)

Book Description

Grade Level: P and up

Born during the sunrise - an auspicious beginning - the Azumas' newborn son is named Hikaru, which means "light". But during one play date, his mother notices that her son is slightly different from the other children. In the alternately heartwarming and bittersweet tale, a young mother tries to cope with both the overwhelming discovery of her child's autism and the trials of raising him while keeping her family together. This is a story that resonates not only for those whose families have been affected by autism, but also for all past, present, and future parents.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Potentially one of the most significant mangas in years, this engrossing book is certainly one of the most unusual: a long, realistically drawn narrative about a young couple coping with the discovery that their infant son is autistic. Masato and Saachiko Azuma need time to realize that their beautiful little boy, Hikaru, is unable to communicate personally. The official diagnosis of autism confuses and devastates the parents. Masato dives headlong into his career to avoid home; Sachiko is angry at Hikaru's behavior, but also tormented by guilt that she's somehow to blame. As they learn and experience more, they become closer to Hikaru and each other. They meet helpful allies, collide with ignorant hostility and savor glimpses through cracks in Hikaru's shell. They become a family. As this volume ends, the three of them are adjusting to a new family member—Hikaru's normal little sister. The story works as a comic. too; fluid layout keeps the action moving through pages of talking-head conversations, and the childish innocence of manga characters has never been more appropriate. Just as Tom Batiuk used breast cancer as a basis for his outstanding Lisa's Story, so With the Light also offers a moving, artistically successful experience. (Sept.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Keiko Tobe was born in Amagasaki in Hyougo, Japan. She graduated from Kwansei Gakuin University's School of Economics and took an advertising job thereafter. When her then-newlywed existence required her to move to Tokyo with her husband, she began working as a mangaka's assistant and eventually became a mangaka herself. Though she has published numerous (primarily mystery-oriented) manga through Akita Shoten, which also published her 1986 Princess magazine debut, Hikari to tomo ni... is universally considered her masterwork. Hikari began its serialization in Akita Shoten's For Mrs. magazine in 2000 and continues to be serialized today, with the compiled volumes currently published up to Vol. 10. Tobe-sensei lives in Japan with her husband and two sons.

Product Details

• Paperback: 528 pages
• Publisher: Yen Press; First Edition edition (September 24, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0759523568
• ISBN-13: 978-0759523562
• Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 1.6 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #289,249 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Brilliant Masterpiece, October 22, 2007

By 

Nurse Washu (South Burlington, VT United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: With the Light: Raising an Autistic Child, Vol. 1 (Paperback)

As a parent myself of a child with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) I'm naturally curious about any kind of material dealing with autism. I'm also a big fan of Japanese manga and all of the cute characters and wonderful stories that can be found in this genre. As such, I was quite delighted to discover this work by Keiko Tobe in my local bookstore and after a quick read of the jacket and scan of the artwork, I knew that I would not set With the Light back on the shelf and leave without it.

Sachiko Azuma is a new mom whose first baby has just been born at sunrise and gives him the name Hikaru which literally means "light" in Japanese. Sadly, the joy of her new motherhood is rather shortlived at first. Hikaru turns out to be quite different from the other babies in Sachiko's small mother's group. He cries all the time and dislikes being held closely and not knowing about the autism yet, Sachiko starts to take it personally and becomes very distressed. Her workaholic husband Masato isn't very supportive either and is always complaining that what little sleep he gets is disturbed by Hikaru's crying in the night. All of Sachiko's idealistic dreams of motherhood and family come crashing down around her. She even starts to receive derision from her mother's group and her in-laws, Masato's family. Sachiko actually begins to accept their false accusations and blames herself for Hikaru's dreadful behaviors and she becomes very depressed.

This story doesn't end sadly though. Suspecting that Hikaru is deaf, Sachiko takes him to a doctor for examination. The first doctor isn't sure, so she takes him to another who determines quite conclusively that Hikaru is not deaf, but may have autism, a disorder Sachiko has never heard of. From there begins a long learning process for Sachiko and her husband, who does turn around and cut back his career ambitions. He eventually becomes a very good father after understanding Hikaru's disability better. The same goes for Sachiko's in-laws and thus much of her fear and distress is relieved when realizing that autism is not caused by being a bad mom. They also receive much help from the local health/welfare center, Hikaru's preschool, and eventually from Hikaru's grade school as well. In the end Sachiko's family turns out much more healthy and happy than she could have imagined only a few years before.

It is important to note that With the Light is a work of fiction and drama and not a true story. Like the book A Curious Incident of a Dog in the Night Time, With the Light was written based on research and interviews with families with autistic children. Keiko Tobe for the most part avoids detailed explanations of autism and the medical facts and theories behind the disorder. To include these details would be very distracting from the main plot in my opinion and thus she made a wise decision to leave them out. The editors do provide in the book's margins many relevant internet links pertinent to specific concepts if one wishes to pursue a more detailed investigation. Some independent background research would lend itself very nicely to anyone unfamiliar with autism to add further depth to the reading experience of With the Light.

Because of my own experiences, I can attest to the truth and authenticity of Keiko Tobe's presentation. She has done her homework and written an outstanding work. With the Light is a brilliant masterpiece that truly deserves all of the awards that it has received and more. This book will be the best read of 2007 for me I'm sure and anyone else that enjoys manga or family stories will love it too.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enlightening, moving, a lot of manga for your money too!, October 5, 2007

By 

Marina N. Neira (Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: With the Light: Raising an Autistic Child, Vol. 1 (Paperback)

This is the first time in seven years of being an Amazon.com member that I liked something so very much I felt compelled to review it.

This book is not only three times as thick as a regular manga, but also moving and enlightening. A must read, both for manga fans and people who have to deal with autism in their everyday lives. I cried more than once while reading it. Looking forward to more volumes.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars touching and real, December 15, 2007

By 

T. Mayfield "doritoeater" (Clovis, Ca) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: With the Light: Raising an Autistic Child, Vol. 1 (Paperback)

As a Psychologist, I know a lot about Autism and was very impressed with the fairly accurate representation of children and families living with Autism. This story is interesting in a of itself and is helpful for those who are trying to understand Autism. I like how real and down to earth some of the issues were. It was also very easy to follow.