A FRIEND FOR HENRY by Jenn Bailey and Mika Song


Bailey, J., & Song, M. (2019). A FRIEND FOR HENRY. Chronicle books.

 

In his classroom, Henry is looking to make a new friend. It can’t be the class pet, because Gilly the fish can’t play on the swings. It can’t be his teacher. As Henry considers different children in his class, he realizes that some of them are too colorful even when you try to do something nice for them. Others don’t listen very well like a friend would. Other kids break the rules or play with worms. Henry found himself watching Gilly in her fishbowl. Katie is watching Gilly too. Henry thinks about Katie. The two play blocks together quietly and Katie listens to Henry and he listens to her. They play together but each in their own way. It’s just right.

This story portrays a boy with Autism and what he wants in a friend. Henry has strong opinions about friends, ones that make him angry when they are dismissed. When Henry gets too frustrated, he ends up in a bit of trouble at school. It is great to see a book embrace the deep emotions of children and not label any of them as wrong. Henry doesn’t have to change at all to find a friend, he just needs some patience.

I am a Special Education teacher.  I have several Autistic students in my class.  They are particular about so many things.  It is tough sometimes for children with Autism to find friends.  They need someone calm, and grounded.  Someone who shares their interest, but understands about boundaries.  This story is a wonderful example of how Autistic children think and their reactions to others. 

The cultural markers are a bit different for this story.  I looked for examples of how Autistic students see the world.  The part I liked best was when Vivianne had rainbow nail polish on her fingers.  “When I get paint on my fingers, “ Henry said, “ I wash it off.”  She tells Henry her mother painted them.  “Painting on people is against the rules,” said Henry.  “Did your mommy get in trouble?”  “Did you get angry?”  This dialog shows exactly how Autistic children think, logical and literal.  The illustrations portray Henry as  Asian/Pacific Islander/Asian American, Brown-Skinned and/or Race Unspecified. 

 

Schneider Family Book Award winner 2020

 

ALA Booklist:  “Bailey's debut picture book allows readers to empathize with a child who, despite overt differences, has needs that are much the same as everyone else's. Song's ink-and-watercolor illustrations depict a multiethnic, play-centered school. The cartoon art includes many familiar classroom details and works well in conveying Henry's emotional frustrations. As the number of diagnosed children on the autistic spectrum increases, so does the need for informative and positive presentations such as this.”

 

When he-s upset, Henry-s eyebrows furrow and his fists clench. Soon, though, he-s watching Gilly the classroom goldfish; another child, Katie, watches the bowl silently opposite him. -She-s shimmery,- says Katie. -But she doesn-t blink,- Henry responds. Young readers will see that Publishers Weekly: “Katie is the kind of friend who will give Henry the space and consideration he needs, and they-ll feel his relief. Bailey, the author-s biography explains, is the mother of a child on the autism spectrum, and her portrayal of what autism might feel like from the inside rings true.”

 

Video of A FRIEND FOR HENRY read aloud on YouTube

A FRIEND FOR HENRY read aloud

 

Other picture books with Autistic characters:

BENJI, THE BAD DAY, AND ME by Sally J. Pla  Illus. by Ken Min  ISBN 9781620143452

MY BROTHER CHARLIE by Holly Robinson Peete and Ryan Elizabeth Peete. Illus. by Shane W. Evans  ISBN 9780545094665

THIS BEACH IS LOUD! by Samantha Cotterill  ISBN 9780525553458


 

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