Monday, April 11, 2011

Autism Awareness Giveaway Hop: How To Talk To An Autistic Kid Review & Giveaway; Louder Than Words Giveaway

April is Autism Awareness Month. Having three cousins who have autism, I was very excited to participate in the Autism Awareness Giveaway Hop hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer.


Here is a video showcasing Autism. I hope you can take the time to watch it. To learn more about autism, please visit my post about autism by clicking HERE.


(Source: Youtube Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InbmVxpUZFE)


Elena from Free Spirit Publishing has kindly offered to giveaway 3 copies of How To Talk To An Autistic Kid by Daniel Stefanski, for my Autism Awareness Giveaway (see below). I also had the opportunity to review the book and it was fabulous!!! (Feel free to visit Free Spirit Publishing, they have a great selection of books: www.freespirit.com)



Title: How To Talk To An Autistic Kid
Author: Daniel Stefanski
Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing
Publication Date: April 2011
Format: Hardcover
Number of Pages: 48
Genre: Juvenile Non-Fiction/Social Skills
Reading Level: Ages 8-10
Interest Level: Ages 8 - Adult
Source: Free Spirit Publishing provided Review Copy
Reviewer: Elise
Rating: 5 STARS


Synopsis (From Goodreads): Kids with autism have a hard time communicating, which can be frustrating for autistic kids and for their peers. In this deceptively simple book, author Daniel Stefanski, a fourteen-year-old boy with autism, helps his readers understand why autistic kids act the way they do and offers positive suggestions on how to get along better with them. Always straightforward and often humorous, How to Talk to an Autistic Kid offers a range of do's (along with a handful of don'ts) on greeting, conversing, understanding habits, cooperating, reaching out, and being an ally. With its personal voice and straightforward approach, this is an inviting, fun-to-read, and insightful book for all those who want to get along better with autistic kids in their lives.

Review:
How To Talk To An Autistic Kid is a very endearing picture book with wonderful suggestions on how to speak and interact with an autistic kid in a more respectful and kind manner. The book highlights the importance of really accepting and treating autistic kids just like any other kid, because even though they are different in some ways, they are very similar in other ways. It also teaches kids to not be afraid of befriending an autistic kid. Written by a 14-year-old autistic kid himself, this book offers a unique point of view that you really won’t get from mainstream books about autism that are more impersonal and make you feel like you are just being given information. What’s great about this book is that you can put a face to this autistic disorder, of someone who is actually experiencing it first-hand. I don’t know if you can get any more sincere than that! How To Talk To An Autistic Kid really personalizes the whole reading experience in an extremely engaging way. Daniel tackles a sensitive subject with grace as well as humor at times. This book offers priceless advice in a fun, very approachable, easy-to-read set-up, with easy-to-follow tips, and includes many colorful illustrations to reiterate each point. And by the end of the book, you really feel like you got to know Daniel, who is more than just an autistic kid.

Daniel does a great job of really pouring his heart out in this book in an effort to help make the lives of autistic kids a little easier and better socially, not only at school, but any place where they are among non-autistic peers. Adults will also find this book helpful and it will heighten their understanding of autistic behavior in kids and learn what to do in certain situations. I am really glad Daniel decided to write this book. By doing this, his contributions to the autistic society will be endless. And even decades from now, autistic kids as well as non-autistic kids will still be benefiting from his words of wisdom, and he will have touched so many lives because of it. Daniel is truly an inspiration.

So whether you are a teacher, classmate, parent, sibling, relative, friend, librarian, or neighbor of an autistic kid or you just want to learn more about autistic behavior and communication, I HIGHLY recommend that you read this book. Because if you don’t, you will really be missing out on something very special and important.

If you are a parent of an autistic kid, let your kid’s school know that this book is a must have. It will really help your child feel comfortable and accepted by their classmates at school.

5 STARS!!!

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Autism Awareness Giveaway #1:
(Open To US ONLY)
* Also enter giveaway #2 below

3 Winners Will Each Receive A Hardcover Copy Of How To Talk To An Autistic Kid by Daniel Stefanski (A 14-year-old autistic kid). These books will be provided by Free Spirit Publishing.


Synopsis (From Goodreads): Kids with autism have a hard time communicating, which can be frustrating for autistic kids and for their peers. In this deceptively simple book, author Daniel Stefanski, a fourteen-year-old boy with autism, helps his readers understand why autistic kids act the way they do and offers positive suggestions on how to get along better with them. Always straightforward and often humorous, How to Talk to an Autistic Kid offers a range of do's (along with a handful of don'ts) on greeting, conversing, understanding habits, cooperating, reaching out, and being an ally. With its personal voice and straightforward approach, this is an inviting, fun-to-read, and insightful book for all those who want to get along better with autistic kids in their lives.

TO ENTER: In a comment below tell me why you would like this book. Also provide your email.

RESTRICTIONS:
US ONLY
GIVEAWAY ENDS: April 14 @ 11:59pm PST
*************************************************************************************

Autism Awareness Giveaway #2

(Open To US ONLY)

1 Winner Will Receive A Hardcover Copy of Louder Than Words: A Mother's Journey In Healing Autism by Jenny McCarthy. This book will be provided by me.

Synopsis (From Goodreads): Few have known that her son, Evan, has autism. In Louder Than Words, she takes this revelation to parents across the country, starting a dialogue on this complex condition, much as Brooke Shields did for postpartum depression in Down Came the Rain.

Writing with the raw humor and honesty that has made her so popular with women across the country, McCarthy shares her son's symptoms and her attempts to sort through the maze of conflicting medical theories. With Louder Than Words, McCarthy sheds much needed light on autism through her own heartbreak, struggle, and ultimately hopeful example of how a parent can shape her child's life and happiness.

TO ENTER: FILL OUT FORM (CLICK LINK HERE)
RESTRICTIONS: US ONLY

GIVEAWAY ENDS: April 14 @ 11:59pm PST
*************************************************************************************

Please feel free to visit the other blogs who are also having giveaways for Autism Awareness.







13 comments:

  1. I want to be a teacher in just a couple years and its a distinct possibility that i may have an autistic child in my classroom. (for my student teaching did.) This would be of great help. amazing_alex.0818[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  2. My lil one is in the process of being evaluated. Thank you for spreading the word.

    weebeenoid(AT)cox(DOT)net

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  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  4. I would like to gift this book to a friend who's child has been diagnosed.

    infertilenanny@gmail.com

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  5. I would love to read this book myself and then mail it to the group home that my brother is living in. He is 55 years and severely autistic.
    The amazing thing is that that he is older, he is communicating more. I wish that we had books like this when we were growing up. I remember bring friends home with me from school and not knowing how to explain autism, and how to convince them that he was not violent!!!!! That's is so weird because he has always been so gentle.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

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  6. I would love to win this book to share it with friends and family because my son is on the spectrum.

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  7. I would love to win this book because my cousin is autistic and they think my 22 year old brother is autistic just never diagnosed but we cant get him in for testing because i think he's scared.. i think the support and love from the familys in this community is an amazing thing and wish that all parents were lucky enough to find the support groups and people who cared and listened.

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  8. My 7 year old grandson is autistic, I'd love to read this book.

    GFC follow as seriousreader

    seriousreader at live dot com

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  9. I'd Like to win this book for my sister. my 2year old nephew was just diagnosed with autism. I really think this book could help her out alot.

    mommyrds@aol(dot)com

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  10. I would love How to Talk to an Autistic Kid because my son has autism and any information is good information! The more you read about it the more you learn and help him on his way!
    shannonjean14(at)gmail(dot)com

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  11. I would love this book. My grandson has an autistic spectrum disorder and I think this book would really help improve communication.
    nicolesender(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  12. My son, who is 7, was recently diagnosed with Asperger's. I think that this book would be wonderful to read - and very helpful!

    paranormalopinion@hotmail.com

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  13. I would like this book because I am currently teaching a home bound autistic boy. This is my first experience and I am learning new things every day. I know this book would be a good read for me. Thanks,

    kdavis1@centurytel.net

    ReplyDelete