Leah's Voice
Author: Lori DeMonia
Illustrator: Monique Turchan
Publisher: Halo Publishing
Publication Date: October 9, 2012
A few months ago I wrote a review for a book called My Brother is Different: A parents' guide to help children cope with an Autistic sibling. Although the book had good intentions, I did not give it a glowing review because I didn't think it was very successful as a children's book. Despite the title, it was written and illustrated like a book to be read to--or read by--children (rather than just as a resource for parents or educators) and I didn't feel it held up well as a story book. I've been both a writer and a daycare teacher for many years (including several years as a Special Needs teacher) and I appreciate those children's books that try to tackle difficult subjects, but ultimately they still need to be good children's literature. Lori DeMonia clearly agrees.
Her book, Leah's Voice, isn't just a "difficult subject" book. It isn't just about Autism. And her goal isn't just to help kids "cope with" an Autistic sibling. She knows first hand that there are many challenges that the sibling of a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder faces--their sibling's behavior may sometimes be confusing or frustrating, their friends may not be as understanding about why their sibling is different--but she also knows that having a sibling with ASD isn't some constant burden that kids need to "deal with." Siblings love each other! And siblings fight. And they misunderstand and get frustrated. Just like...well...SIBLINGS.
