Customer Reviews

Looking after Louis

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

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

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.

There is no perfect book on anything, but this one comes very close. As an educator in an inclusive classroom, I search and search constantly for books that serve as great and naturalistic conversation starters on the topic of dis/Ability. This whimsically illustrated story is LOADED with issues: inclusion, making exceptions, social isolation, the ABILITY in dis/ability, and our common humanity. It represents inclusive teaching at its best, and naturally includes a child with Autism in the story, without centering difference, but at the same time, not ignoring it. There are few books on the market that deal as thoughtfully with this complex topic as this one.

I thought this book did a super job in conveying to kids the common traits of autism - parroting words they have just heard; seemingly staring at nothing; and not exactly playing with other children in the way that they are used to.

Another parent of an autistic child interpreted the book as implying that Louis was not learning in the classroom. Me? I didn't infer that a bit! Many kids with autism don't seem to be listening or attending, but then hours later they amazingly tell you all about the solar system that was on the lesson plan. You can't assume diddly doodle what an autistic person is thinking...they are lots deeper than the rest of us. The book conveyed that!

Louis sketched and colored unusual drawings, and finally, the kids suddenly saw within those bright pages the soccer game that he so enjoyed playing with them. Louis WAS tuned in and he DID enjoy playing with his friends...they just had to look deeper to see that.

I'm sending this book to school with my son tomorrow so that the teacher can read it to him and his "typical" friends. The book shows that my son is NOT alone in his disability, nor are his school buddies in having to work a bit harder to understand him. Lots of children befriend kids with autism, despite their differences.

Great book about acceptance.

This is an excellent book to read to your class at the beginning of the school year. It's a story about recognizing and accepting classmates with "differences". Our principal loved this book as well.

I just used this book with 24 different classes to introdcue the idea of autism and the idea that these students are mainstreamed into their classes. No, it does not mention "autism" though as an adult reading this book to children that explanation can begin with you. Frankly, it is a very true picture of inclusion and the feelings other chdren often have about having a child who is different from them in the classroom. The children I read this to understood that the purpose of Louis being in their classroom was not to learn academics necesssarily, but to begin to understand how to function in the regular classroom. People annoyed that Louis is not "learning anything" are wrong. His position in a regular ed classroom is to learn to socialize since his level of functioning is obviously below those of the peers. The kids I read this too really connected with the book and came away understanding a little more about why the rules may be different for other children with special needs.

This book is a wonderful example of teaching children acceptance of children that have differing abilities. We purchased it for our Autism chapter library and I know it will be a hit.Children need to learn tolerance and acceptance in order to survive in this world of differing talents and abilities.

This is an excellent book for any library or school that is looking for books about inclusion and children with autism that DOESN'T LOOK OR FEEL OUTDATED!! One of the only books our public library has found that is both sympathetic and empowering for anyone that has an autistic friend. Definately get this one, an excellent resource for families and educators.