A poetic tribute to the author's autistic sister, Christa, explains why autism is not a barrier to love or friendship and celebrates the special world in which the young girl exists.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Billed as a tribute to Watson's autistic sister, this debut work is unlikely to strike a chord with young readers. Its minimal text consists of a dozen or so statements about the narrator's sister Christa: "When she puts her hands on my cheeks and looks in my eyes, I repeat every word she says. That makes her laugh. She hears what I say, only she answers back in her head. She doesn't speak to me out loud." Christa, whom the narrator hears "softly talking to angels," is meant to seem very special, and only on the penultimate spread is the term "autistic" introduced (it is never defined). The art, however, suggests a more disturbing story. Disembodied heads float on abstract backgrounds. Eyes are ringed with huge spiky eyelashes; a nose appears where an ear might be; tears leave tracks like snails. The artist simulates the unformed draftsmanship of a child, but her work doesn't show much appreciation of children's sensibilities. While Watson may hope to teach respect for people who are "different," neither the text nor the pictures give kids the information or insight they need to build understanding. Ages 5-8.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 1-4?This personal, tender depiction of the author/artist's young autistic sister treats the girl as a person with a rich, responsive inner life despite her inability to behave and communicate "normally." Christa loves to copy Esther's words and actions, feel a kitten's softness on her cheek, and play in water. She cringes from loud noises and cries when others cry. She seems to hear and see things within her head and murmurs as if talking softly to angels. The large-print text is simple, with only a sentence or two per page. Opposite it are full-page, mixed-media illustrations done in an unusual style that's half childlike and half Picassolike. Mouths are huge and full of teeth, spiky-lashed eyes are unmatched, hands have abnormally large numbers of fingers, arms are long and snaky, and colors are mostly primary. Yet the pictures are moving, dynamic, and expressive, reflecting how Christa might see the world. This artistic, loving tribute to a child who is sensitive and joyful despite her disability truly helps dispel some misunderstandings about autism.?Patricia Pearl Dole, formerly at First Presbyterian School, Martinsville, VA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
It is a touching story told beautifully about a friend.,
By
This review is from: Talking to Angels (Library Binding)
Talking to angels contains a subject few authors will write about. Esther, brought close to this subject through her sister has done an extremely artistic job at describing a mysterious illness. The illustrations are so vivid and bring to life the story. I recommend this book for ANY child.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
So much emotion! A book straight from a sister's heart.,
By A Customer
This review is from: Talking to Angels (Library Binding)
"Talking to Angels" has so much emotion packed into
its thirteen pages, I cry just thinking about it! Esther Watson
clearly has an extremely close and caring relationship with
her sister. She describes Christa as a person first, only using
the label "autistic" at the end of the story.
Seemingly written for children, with one or
two sentences on each page in large letter format and
big illustrations, anyone touched by Autism is bound to
be touched by this book. I highly recommend adding this book to
your collection - that is, if you can handle a few tears
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Required-Reading.,
By A Customer
This review is from: Talking to Angels (Library Binding)
Esther's book should be required-reading for all young children, their parents and teachers. She warmly speaks about the relationship with her sister, in a way that can only help people understand and empathize. Not to mention her illustrations are profoundly touching. I am buying everyone I know with young children this book. Change that- everyone I know.
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