Looking after Louis [Hardcover]

Lesley Ely (Author), Polly Dunbar (Illustrator)

Book Description

Grade Level: 2 and up

A young girl sits next to a boy named Louis at school. Louis has autism, but through imagination, kindness, and a special game of soccer, his classmates find a way to join him in his world. Then they can include Louis in theirs.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-4-This upbeat look at mainstreaming is told from the point of view of a little girl who sits next to an autistic boy. Louis, who repeats words he hears and has little interaction with his peers, gets away with behavior that the other children cannot, such as mimicking the teacher. One day, after he shows interest in playing soccer with a classmate, Miss Owlie allows both of them to go outside and play during the afternoon, prompting the narrator to point out the unfairness of this treatment. With her teacher's help, the child comes to realize that sometimes it's OK to "break rules for special people." Though the story depicts a fairly innocuous display of autism, which may mislead some readers about the disorder, the main focus is on the development of sensitivity in the other students. Dunbar's childlike paintings cleverly show how Louis is essentially the same as the other kids-he could be any one of the boys in the class, until the artwork focuses more closely on him. An afterword by a child clinical psychologist offers adults more information about autism and mainstreaming.-Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Maryland School for the Deaf, Columbia
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 1-3. Miss Owlie's classroom is a vibrant hum of activity, filled with children who act realistically, if a bit crazily. Double-page spreads convey the frenzied pace. They burst with kids (reminiscent of Jules Feiffer characters) playing and making pictures. Louis, however, remains detached. He mostly sits and stares at the wall or repeats what others say to him or bits of conversations he hears in class. The little girl who sits next to Louis wants to get him involved, and she finally finds a way in a playground soccer game. Though most adults will quickly catch on that Louis is autistic (a clinical psychologist's note at the end, addressed to adults, explains about autism), children might not fully grasp the situation. But that may not matter much, as the story is more about creative kindness and inclusion than it is about autism; it's really a big-hearted example of persistence and compassion, and little ones won't have a problem understanding that. Connie Fletcher
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company (January 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807547468
• ISBN-13: 978-0807547465
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.7 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #535,358 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Autism Accessibility, December 16, 2004

By 

BeatleBangs1964 (United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Looking after Louis (Hardcover)

This excellent book reinforces a much needed lesson in accessibility. Autism, which is a neurobiological condition is often called an "invisible" one in that many people with it display no physical needs. Sensory processing and communication are the spheres most noticeably affected by autism; challenges in social skills are also part of the package.

I like the way Louis' very wise, astute teacher explains to the other children why Louis responds and behaves as he does. She makes it clear that although the same behavior would not be acceptable from the other children, certain allowances have to be made in order to meet the boy's needs. At no time is any child short-shrifted; at no time is any child's natural curiosity about Louis' behavior hushed up or criticized. Instead, Miss Owlie provides a round table where the children can explore their own feelings and come to a better understanding of Louis and be more accepting people as well.

Another excellent book exploring this topic is Andreanna Edwards' "Taking Autism to School," which is a wonderful story about inclusion.

I can't recommend this one highly enough. It gently reinforces the precept that we are our brother's keeper. This book is for everyone!

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A GOOD LESSON FOR ALL, March 15, 2004

By 

Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Looking after Louis (Hardcover)

Would that all youngsters would be as patient and understanding with those who are "different" as are the children in this touching and informative story about an autistic boy.

When Louis who has autism goes to a new school his classmates try very hard to understand him. They want to include him in their activities but they don't know how. One girl offers him crayons, and suggests he draw.

Recess is a bit of a challenge for all as Louis runs in and out of the boys' soccer game disrupting play. He also has a tendency to speak out at the wrong times, but the teachers are very patient with him. One day Sam was displaying what he could do with his new soccer ball when Louis began to chase him. The other children shouted encouragement when Louis even came close to the ball, which brought a smile to Louis's face.

Pretty soon Louis was drawing picture of playing ball, and the children knew that they had reached him, made him a part of their school day. A valuable lesson for all young readers regarding the importance of inclusiveness is found in "Looking After Louis."

- Gail Cooke

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Understanding Children, March 12, 2004

By 

martin bates (Lincoln, England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Looking after Louis (Hardcover)

This story has a wonderful feel to it. It clearly touches on a difficult area to understand for children, but it deals with the subject of autism in a sensitive and understanding way, without losing its quality as a story. All the children in the story are well observed and I think it will appeal to an age group who are actually very interested in the differences between individuals, and are happiest when they are involved and doing something. My children loved the story, and I choked a little when I read it.