Goodreads Synopsis:
Jasper really likes shiny metals…He loves that when the sun shines Electrons dance reflecting light. This makes him feel safe and calm, And helps him sleep at night. This fun and though-provoking rhyming storybook will delight anyone with a special interest and encourage readers to be more accepting of difference and unusual passions. The story will resonate particularly with children on the autism spectrum and their friends and family. This book is suitable for ages six and upwards.
Jasper and the Magpie: Enjoying Special Interests Together is a storybook written in rhyme for those along the autism spectrum and their caregivers, but it would be an excellent book to recommend in general to encourage acceptance of differences. I received a copy of this story book from Netgalley, published by Jessica Kingsley Publisher, in exchange for a review.
Jasper has a very strong interest in shiny metals, in fact he even resorts to taking them out of the garbage. His family aren’t happy about him collecting what they consider to be ‘dirty litter’ and they try to replace the shiny metals with other things, much to Jasper’s dismay, yet Jasper can’t explain why he is so upset.
This is definitely a good book for parents, siblings, and other children to read, to help them understand that yes Autistic children are different but we should do our best to understand and help, rather than hinder them. Possibly it would also be a useful tool, to use in primary schools, as an educational aid to reduce the instances of bullying. If we can educate our young people, in primary, then this should help them to be more understanding adults. This applies to all forms of ‘special educational needs’. I do know of an instance in our family when a family member was teased at primary school because they had some speech problems. If we can reduce the instances of these kind of issues that would be a welcome and positive development for all. With this in mind I also came across a review of The Wild Book by Margartia Eagle, on the Word by Word blog which may be of interest to families with Dyslexic children:
https://clairemca.wordpress.com
The illustrator of Jasper and The Magpie, Alex Merry, has done a fabulous job. I loved the page with the steps leading up to a massive head, a large pair of shoes left waiting at the bottom, with a colourful, almost jigsaw patterned head at the top.
The accompanying words are great:
“Jasper sometimes found it hard,
To understand what had been said,
To put himself in others shoes,
Or into someone else’s head.
But those that aren’t like Jasper,
Have a problem much the same:
For how can they jump into Jasper’s unique brain.”
The emphasis here is on uniqueness which I think is good.
Overall I enjoyed Jasper and the Magpie.
My rating:
Author information:
Dan Mayfield is a writer and a musician who has worked with people of all ages on the autistic spectrum for over 12 years.
http://www.enderbysroom.co.uk/music.html
Publisher:
Jessica Kingsley: https://www.jkp.com/
Bye for now,
Marje @ Kyrosmagica xx
