Playing by the Rules: A Story about Autism [Hardcover]

Dena Fox Luchsinger (Author), Julie Olson (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 30, 2007 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

2007 Moonbeam Award Winner: Childhood Wellness Category, Silver Medal

When a long-distance relative comes for a visit, Jody and her brother Josh, who has autism, find themselves teaching Great Aunt Tilda the rules of the games they like to play. Josh loves Animal Sounds Bingo, but not with new people. Jody's delighted to have an adult to herself and gets out a game of her own, but Josh keeps interrrupting. Will Jody never win?

As the story progresses, Josh slowly warms up to Aunt Tilda as Jody helps her to understand her brother. But, as with many board games, the rules of autism are complicated. Still, through Jody's humor, complaints, exuberance, and wisdom, Playing by the Rules shows how siblings of children with autism bridge the gap of understanding between their brothers or sisters and other people.

With colorful, cartoon-like illustrations, Playing by the Rules is a funny, realistic story of having to tolerate interruptions and less attention because of a sibling's special needs. But as with all siblings, Josh and Jody's relationship is also positive and loving--most of the time!

Editorial Reviews

Review

The author keeps the tone lighthearted while revealing the realities of autism and the difficulties for both the child affected and the family living with him. Playing by the Rules is an excellent introduction to autism for young readers not familiar with the disorder. Families and care-givers of autistic children will welcome this honest portrayal. All readers will come away with a new-found consideration for one another s diverse rules in life. --ForeWord Magazine, November/December 2007

Written for children aged 4-8 this book is a wonderful affirmation of the real feelings often experienced by kids in situations where autism is present either at home, at school or in the community. I recommend this book for parents interested in teaching children about respecting our differences and being sensitive to the needs of others. --About Families, November 2008

About the Author

Dena Fox Luchsinger is the author of Sometimes Smart is Good / A Veces es Bueno Ser Inteligente (Eerdman s 2007) and founder of Proyecto Down, a non-profit program serving families of children with Down syndrome in Monterrey, Mexico. After living and traveling extensively in Central and South America, she currently lives in Wasilla, Alaska, with her husband and three children, one of whom has the dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and autism.

About the illustrator: Julie Olson grew up with six brothers and two sisters in Southern Indiana. She found her own way among her siblings by moving out west and becoming an artist. Her passions are raising her 3 children and illustrating children's books, including Already Asleep (Keene Publishing, 2006).

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Woodbine House; 1st edition (November 30, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1890627836
• ISBN-13: 978-1890627836
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,081,145 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for anyone touched by Autism, January 13, 2008

By 

Michelle Tarin "M. Tarin" (Palmer, Alaska) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Playing by the Rules: A Story about Autism (Hardcover)

This book is insightful and a joy to read. It speaks to both adults and children alike and is a profound resource for anyone touched by Autism. The wonderful storyline and illustrations together with the humor and reality of life affected by Autism relay a meaningful and important message. This book is a must have.

2.0 out of 5 stars Not worth the money, October 3, 2009

By 

D. Baskerville - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Playing by the Rules: A Story about Autism (Hardcover)

This book starts out very good; however midway thru it fizzles out. It is almost as if someone stated this book can only be x amount of pages so just end it.

5.0 out of 5 stars Colorful, exuberant illustrations add the perfect touch to this delightful picturebook, January 8, 2008

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Playing by the Rules: A Story about Autism (Hardcover)

Playing by the Rules: A Story about Autism is a picturebook that introduces young readers ages 4-8 to dealing with autistic peers. Told from the perspective of young Jody, whose Great Aunt Tilda has come to visit her and her autistic brother Josh for the first time in years, Playing by the Rules chronicles the course of the day in which Jody has to teach Aunt Tilda her nephew's "rules" of the game. Josh has difficulty adjusting to loud sounds and new people; and adding any kind of disorder to his animal collection completely derails him. "Josh quickly rearranged his guys and calmed down. I know how he feels because I like to keep my crayons in rainbow order and I hate it when they get messed up. But it's even harder on Josh. 'What did I do?' Aunt Tilda asked. 'Nothing,' I told her. 'It's okay. You just don't know the rules to Josh's game yet.'" As Aunt Tilda learns to understand and appreciate Josh's likes and dislikes, the family is able to share more fully in the experience of being together. Colorful, exuberant illustrations add the perfect touch to this delightful picturebook, enthusiastically recommended for children's library collections.