Sometimes a Book Can Rescue You

New Children’s Book Gives Insight into an Alternative Reality


“When your world spins out of line, you’re always welcome back to mine.”

—Autistic Planet

For a long time I have been looking for a book that can help me explain to my children that Ian is different, and that's o.k. I want him to feel good about himself, and to know that he isn't the only kid in the world with Asperger's Syndrome. That book arrived on my porch last week.

Do you ever wonder what it would be like to have autism? What if everyone if the world was autistic? Welcome to Autistic Planet (June 2007; Jessica Kingsley Publishers; $16.95; paperback; 978-1-84310-842-9) a new book by Jennifer Elder.

Enter a magical world where all trains run exactly on time, where people working in offices have rocking chairs, and where all kids dream of winning the chess World Cup. Take a journey to this alternative reality, where being different is ordinary, and being “typical” is unheard of. Written as a dialogue between two young schoolmates, the storybook features child-friendly rhyme.

Ian first thought the book was silly. Then we read it again, pointing out the similarities between the autistic girl in the book and him. Although Ainsley is still a little young to understand that this is reality for Ian, her attention was held by the vibrant and textural illustrations by Marc Thomas and Jennifer Elder. Autistic Planet is a beautiful book for kids aged six to ten and can be read alone or with an adult. Education Otherwise declares, “this is a great confidence booster for children with a ‘high functioning’ Autistic Spectrum Disorder, an opportunity for them to show off, and an enjoyable read for everyone, to boot!”

Autistic Planet will bring comfort to children on the autism spectrum by helping them realize they are not alone. It will bring enlightenment to those who want to gain a better understanding of people with the disorder. The book gives a positive, heartfelt glimpse of a unique world and will undoubtedly be much loved by children, particularly those on the autism spectrum, their parents, teachers, caregivers and siblings.

Jennifer Elder is assistant editor in a book publishing company. She and her husband have two sons, one of whom has ASD. You can read more about their family in the memoirs Sixpence House and Not Even Wrong. Jennifer is the author of Different Like Me: My Book of Autism Heroes, also published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Further information about this book may be found on the Jessica Kingsley Publishers website.