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A review by librarybonanza
Next Level: A Hymn in Gratitude for Our Differences by Samara Cole Doyon
5.0
Age: 4+
Activism: Disability and Autistic advocacy
Identity: Autistic
What an absolute joy this book is. Written by a neurodivergent mother of neurodivergent children, a mother and her masculine-presenting child go through a normal day attending church, waiting for the bus, and ending their day with a bath and snuggles. While the written words celebrate the unique worldview and sensory experiences of the child (addressed as "you," the mother speaking to him) the progression of this simple day really stood out to me as a beautiful, powerful embrace. Perhaps amplified by the author's note saying, "It still sometimes feels like a radical act to show up with my child in the larger world, allowing and encouraging him to take up space within his own community."
And what a perfect illustrator to capture this autistic child's movements, feelings, and experience with the world, especially his mental connection to the star shape as the shape repeats throughout the book.
A really, really wonderful addition to the spectrum of autistic voices in children's literature.
Activism: Disability and Autistic advocacy
Identity: Autistic
What an absolute joy this book is. Written by a neurodivergent mother of neurodivergent children, a mother and her masculine-presenting child go through a normal day attending church, waiting for the bus, and ending their day with a bath and snuggles. While the written words celebrate the unique worldview and sensory experiences of the child (addressed as "you," the mother speaking to him) the progression of this simple day really stood out to me as a beautiful, powerful embrace. Perhaps amplified by the author's note saying, "It still sometimes feels like a radical act to show up with my child in the larger world, allowing and encouraging him to take up space within his own community."
And what a perfect illustrator to capture this autistic child's movements, feelings, and experience with the world, especially his mental connection to the star shape as the shape repeats throughout the book.
A really, really wonderful addition to the spectrum of autistic voices in children's literature.