Author: H. Eaton
Illustrator: K. Coley
Publisher: Helen Eaton
ISBN: 978-1-8380299-0-6
Price: £12.99
Helen Eaton has extensive experience of developing and delivering leadership training for national organisations, before switching to specialising in Autism and Neurodiversity. She is clearly passionate about her work and ‘lives and breathes’ it every day. As a public speaker and trainer, she is committed to helping others reach a greater understanding of the daily experiences of autistic people.
This book explains key Autism concepts for adults, teens and children in a graphic novel format. It chronicles Arna’s parents’ journey from his early childhood and diagnosis of autism, as well as providing an insight into Arna’s own thoughts and feelings and how his extended family react to his diagnosis.
A second character, Ruby, is introduced, whose profile is somewhat different, but who also has autism and the story brings the parents together to share concerns and strategies.
Eaton manages to work a significant amount of information into the text about early development, sensory processing, stress and anxiety and strategies for coping in school.
Whereas the style of this text won’t appeal to everyone, it is a novel way to engage with those living with a child with ASD.
Author: Mary Mountstephen
Book reviews
Book reviews
I bought the book Arna and Ruby. I acknowlege this is a personal opinion, but I feel so strongly that I am for the first time ever leaving a review for a book. I accept my views are not suitable for sharing widely. I have an autistic 14 year old grandson and his sister currently embarking on the diagnosis journey. I thought it might be useful. Having read it and shown it to their mother, I would never never let them see it. Just a few of our comments that may be useful. page 2, I would hate to let the child see that his diagnosis might make his parents feel like the picture portrayed. There is much informtaion in this book that might be useful for the parents/adults to explore, but should not add to the child’s burden. There is also a lot of good inromation about the child’s experiences, but often displayed on very dark pages with lots of text not always in chronological order. The assessment page might be very scary for a child about to be assessed, with a cross scary looking doctor and terrifying images, probably very different to the fears already embedded. Whatever the grandparents think it is a pretty horrifying image to let a child see and read. There is already an unfortunate view among the professionals that providing a standared list of support materials, (ear protectors sun glasses etc) is the answer, whereas actually identifiying the exact source of support for each child is much more important. The page with the description of autism has a couple of bookshelves labeled ‘Social interaction difficulties and social communication difficulties, would be much better described as social interaction differences rather than difficulties…once again reinforcing a negative view. The picture of Arna’s family relaxing in the garden, surely would be better if they were shown helping/sharing the activity with Arna…I could go on and on and on as this is only a snippet of my reasons for thinking this book is damaging, but leave on the last page…the book purports to ‘make positive changes’…. but the final illustration shows Arna still alone in his room hating school and Ruby enjoying her cats….I can see no change..