It's Me, Henry! - by Stéphanie Deslauriers (Paperback)

About the Book

This picture book about a young boy on the autism spectrum highlights the way he functions differently from his classmates. His way of being in the world has both its challenges and its strengths.

Book Synopsis

Henry marches to the beat of his own green thumb in this gentle picture book about a boy on the autism spectrum.

Henry doesn't remember to raise his hand and he prefers to call plants by their proper Latin names, much to the frustration of his classmates. Most days, Henry doesn't notice how different he is from the other kids in his grade, but some days he does. On those days he finds refuge under the shade of the Salix babylonica (willow tree) or in the school counselor's office or at his very favorite place in the world: the local botanical gardens. When his class goes on a field trip to these botanical gardens, Henry's knowledge of the flora and fauna shows the other kids that his unique interests are really something special.

Review Quotes

"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"

"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 (SLJ)"

About the Author

Stéphanie Deslauriers is a psychoeducator who has worked with neurodivergent clientele since 2006. In 2023 she was diagnosed with Level 1 autism. She has written extensively for Format familial on Télé-Québec. Her book, Laurent, c'est moi!, was nominated for the Governor General's Award, the Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Award and the Harry Black Youth Award. Stéphanie lives in Île-Perrot, Quebec.

Geneviève Després completed a degree in Industrial Design at the Université de Montréal but decided instead to pursue her passion for drawing. After spending a few years in Europe exploring different techniques, Geneviève returned to Quebec. For more than 20 years she has illustrated over 40 books, many of which have been translated into other languages. Geneviève uses a variety of techniques in her art and plays with texture and the transparency of different mediums to create unique images. She lives with her family on the South Shore of Montreal and spends her summers drawing inspiration from the seaside in their cottage in Les Escoumins.

Charles Simard is a Québécois editor and translator from Tiohtià꞉ke / Montréal. He works as poetry, fiction, and nonfiction 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 PhD in literature from Université de Montréal and was a postdoctoral fellow at the City University of New York's Graduate Center.