Be a Friend - (Peerspective) by Jennifer M Schmidt & Sara Woolf Anderson (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Children are often curious about others and ask questions or form assumptions about those they perceive as different in less than ideal ways. By introducing characteristics of autism in a manner that promotes understanding and inclusion, assumptions based on fear or confusion can be avoided, and attitudes of acceptance, kindness, and empathy can be fostered.

This book allows the discussion to go one step further by enabling families to share about their child with autism, if they choose, in a personalized, authentic way.

Review Quotes

Be a Friend will help young children understand and be kind to autistic classmates. -- Temple Grandin, Author - The Way I See It

As coaches for special education teams in West Central Ohio, we're always seeking good resources to increase the understanding and appreciation of autism. The PEERspective books for middle and high school have been wonderful tools for building student skills and facilitating inclusion. We are excited to now have a PEERspective resource for our elementary schools. Common characteristics of autism are presented in rhyme and accompanied by visually appealing illustrations. We love the extension activities and resources to further develop student skills and understanding. Teaching young children acceptance, kindness, and empathy is important and we are happy to add this book to our library. -- Carol Dittoe, Speech-Language Pathologist, Certified Autism Specialist -- Autism and Low Incidence Coaching Team

Be a Friend: Perspective on Autism is another brainchild of Jennifer Schmidt and Sara Woolf Anderson. This lovely book describes autism in an easy-to-understand, non-limiting way. While gently describing the strengths and needs of autistics, the authors encourage readers to understand that all people are different and yet share many commonalities. The book strongly states that autistic children and, indeed, every individual is worthy of our attention. -- Brenda Smith Myles, PhD - author, national speaker and world-class researcher

As a Professor of Teacher Education, I think this book is a wonderful resource for future teachers. The engaging rhymes, informative text, beautiful illustrations and extension activities make for a valuable and heartwarming book that should be in every classroom! -- Jennifer T. Christman, Ed.D.

Reading Jennifer Schmidt and Sara Woolf Anderson's Be a Friend: PEERspective on Autism is akin to sitting by a cozy fire on a cold

winter morning: It warms the heart and soul with its kindness, compassion and storytelling - with a valuable layer of practicality in the mix. -- Sean Barron

In Be a Friend: PEERspective on Autism, the creators present a relatable and realistic story of autism. Reader-friendly prose engages readers in the story by asking reflective questions throughout the text. The rhyming text will make for a fun classroom read aloud experience, and the bright and colorful images represent a diverse cast of characters, inviting everyone to find themselves in the story. Throughout the text, nonfiction content presents critical information about what it means to be a friend to someone who is autistic, making this book a practical and useful text for homes, libraries, and classrooms. -- Mary-Kate Sableski, PhD, Leary Chair for Innovation in Education, Health, and Wellness, University of Dayton