Picture Books for Autism Acceptance Month

 April is recognized as Autism Acceptance Month and World Autism Awareness Month, a time dedicated to increasing understanding and acceptance of people with autism. These picture books from our library collection feature children on the autism spectrum.   

How to Build a Hug; Temple Grandin and Her Amazing Squeeze Machine by Amy Guglielmo and Jacqueline Tourville; Illustrated by Gisell Potter

Young Temple Grandin loves folding paper into kites, swinging on the playground, and building things but she absolutely does not like hugs.  Inspiration strikes when Temple visits her aunt's ranch and notices how the ranch hands used a squeeze chute to calm the cows for vet exams. Using her imagination and building skills she invents a unique hug machine that allows her to control the timing and pressure of a hug. How to Build a Hug is an inspiring biography about Dr. Temple Grandin, an advocate for people living with autism and spectrum issues and for the humane treatment of animal livestock. 

Staff Picks: Leonard and Hungry Paul by Rónán Hession

 

Leonard and Hungry Paul by Rónán Hession

Rónán Hession’s Leonard and Hungry Paul is a thoughtful and amusing story about two thirty-something male friends navigating through a few of life’s major and minor turning points. Leonard is adjusting to living alone after his mother's passing while best friend Hungry Paul, the baby of a close knit family of four, is being lightly pressured by his engaged older sister to find a real career and move out of the family home. 

The novelty of the story is that differences of opinion are handled with respect and good will. If you’re used to reading fast-paced stories full of unsavory characters and lots of conflict, Leonard and Hungry Paul is a refreshing change of pace featuring relatable characters you'll enjoy getting to know. Bibliophiles will also appreciate Leonard's literary aspirations and Hungry Paul's attempt to win a writing contest. 

Rónán Hession is an Irish writer, musician, and social worker who has released three musical albums under the name Mumblin' Def Ro. Published in 2019. Leonard and Hungry Paul was chosen for the 2021 One Dublin, One Book festival and a finalist for both the Irish Book of the Year and the British Book of the Year awards. 

Alicia Cavitt

Information Specialist

Dublin
Image Credit: sfabisuk from Getty via Canva

Toon Talk: Third in a Series

With the advent of spring springing on, it’s only natural that all of Forsyth County is soon to be found under green trees and by riversides, indulging in America’s favorite pastime: reading comics. But — worry not. As teens and their older ilk flounder to find new material, the FCPL system is here to supply. Below are some of the best offerings your library has to offer for adults, curated by a cartoon-conscious teenager.

Black Hammer

I couldn’t write a library rec’ list without some Lemire. Really, my suggestion is just to run a search on the catalog that goes: “Lemire, Jeff.” I’ve yet to try something by him that hasn’t been a delight. But Black Hammer is a standout; it’s probably the best intro to Lemire’s bibliography that isn’t Essex County (try that, too!) His expertise is raw human emotion, rural horror, family drama, all with a heavy touch of cosmic weirdness. I tentatively recommend this series of adult graphic novels because I, myself, just started Black Hammer with the first trade (Volume One: Secret Origins) and now I’m going to have to compete with all of YOU to get the next book!

Peanuts

Here’s another reason why Fantagraphics is the best. They collected all of Charles Schulz’ Peanuts strips — dailies, Sundays, all of it — and packed them into a series of beautiful little books that you can read chronologically at your local library. Just search up “the complete Peanuts” on the catalog and take your pick over decades’ worth of cartoon masterminding. Don’t you remember Good Ol’ Charlie Brown? These soft bound books are found in the adult nonfiction section of the library. 

[Another recommended search on the catalog is to sort books by (PUB=”Fantagraphics”). It’s hard to go wrong there.]

Jade

Teen Advisory Board