This gentle picture book introduces the reader to the world of Henry, a sensitive boy who is navigating the autism spectrum. Henry knows the Latin names and uses of many plants and easily computes math equations. Making friends and recognizing social cues causes him considerable anxiety, but he is learning self-coping strategies with help from the adults in his life. When his class goes on a field trip to the local botanical garden, Henry is encouraged to demonstrate his in-depth knowledge of plants. This results in his classmates recognizing Henry's special talents and becoming more accepting and understanding of individual differences. Després’s muted illustrations are whimsical and subtle, reflecting Henry's range of emotions from frustration to happiness. The author is a child psychologist and autism presenter and has a son on the spectrum. Her French edition of this picture book was a finalist for several awards, including the Governor General's.

Other End Matter: Author and Illustrator biographies
Images: Colour illustrations
Bibliography: No
Index: No

Source: Books BC - BC Books for Schools

Stéphanie Deslauriers is an author and psychoeducator. Since 2012 she has published fifteen books and written extensively for Format familial on Télé-Québec. Stéphanie is the stepmother to a teenage son who is on the spectrum, and she speaks extensively about autism spectrum disorder. The French edition of this title, Laurent, c’est moi!, was nominated for the Governor General’s Award, the Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Award and the Harry BlackYouth Award. Stéphanie lives in Quebec.

Stéphanie Deslauriers' profile page

GENEVIÈVE DESPRÉS illustre des albums jeunesse. Elle a gagné le prix Applied Arts Illustration Award à quatre reprises. Ses illustrations sont tendres et cocasses. Geneviève habite à Saint-Lambert sur la Rive-Sud de Montréal.

GENEVIÈVE DESPRÉS completed a degree in Industrial Design at the Université de Montréal in 1992, but, around 1997, she decided to pursue her first passion, drawing. She turned to illustration, completing a number of contracts in the fields of educational publishing, advertising, editorial, and children's literature. She lives in Saint Lambert, Quebec.

Geneviève Després' profile page

Charles Simard is a Québécois editor and translator from Montréal, also known as Tiohtià:ke and Mooniyaang. He works as poetry, fiction, and non-fiction editor for Talonbooks in Vancouver on Coast Salish Territory. His published work includes the essay Littérature, analyse et forme: Herbert, Tolkien, Borges, Eco (EUE, 2010) and a number of translations for Orca Book Publishers, including Elise Gravel’s The Wrench and Myriam Daguzan Bernier’s dictionary of sexuality, Naked. As a lexicographer, he has collaborated on the making of the popular linguistic suite Antidote in its bilingual editions. He holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in comparative literature from Université de Montréal and was a postdoctoral fellow at the City University of New York’s Graduate
Center. His doctoral and postdoctoral publications focused on the poetics of avant-garde composer and writer John Cage. He lives in Montréal, Québec.

Charles Simard's profile page

• Commended, Dolly Gray Children’s Literature Award - Honorable Mention
• Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens

“Sensitive and revealing...invites readers into the mind and emotions of a child on the autism spectrum…A skillful and sympathetic portrayal of neurodivergent children.”

Kirkus Reviews

“What makes you different can also make you wonderful…This honest look at the challenges for children on the spectrum [is] cheerfully illustrated.”

School Library Journal

“A tender introduction to the life of a child on the autism spectrum, and it perfectly shines the spotlight on the endearing main character – a boy with a passion for the natural world, a sunny personality, and a desire to be a part of his class. There is so much to love about It’s Me, Henry!.”

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

“Recommended.”

School Library Connection