Spaghetti Is Not a Finger Food - by Jodi Carmichael (Paperback)

About the Book

This deliciously entertaining and humorous chapter book gets top marks for presenting us with a delightfully quirky day in the life of an eight-year-old boy with Asperger s Syndrome."

Book Synopsis

This deliciously entertaining and humorous chapter book gets top marks for presenting a delightfully quirky day in the life of an eight-year-old boy with Asperger's Syndrome.

Being eight, Connor knew a lot. He knew that Mrs. Winters did not like to be interrupted, but he was sure she would appreciate his fact-finding methods--and who wouldn' t want to know more about geckos? He knew he needed the new library book, "More All About Dogs," more than Jane needed to keep sitting on that stool--and he only nudged her off so he could reach it. On a day when everything seemed to go wrong, Connor turned out to be the only one who could save the school from a dog-caused Code Yellow!

Told from the point of view of a child with Asperger Syndrome, author Jodi Carmichael highlights some of the challenges--and triumphs--of experiencing a day at school from a different perspective.

Heartwarming, funny, and charmingly illustrated, Spaghetti is NOT a Finger Food is the winner of four awards: The Mom' s Choice Gold Award; The Moonbeam Best First Book Award; The Professionals Network Recognition of Merit; and The IBPA Benjamin Franklin Silver Digital Award.

From the Back Cover

Follow a quirky day in the life of Connor, a brilliant student with an equally high talent for second-guessing the rules. As both entertainment
and an accessible educational tool to help teach students about Asperger's Syndrome, the book is a welcome addition to schools and libraries alike.

Review Quotes

Jodi Carmichael does an excellent job in portrayinga young boy, Connor, in the daily experience of havingAsperger Syndrome with a focus on his strengthsand abilities, while also showing the difficulties he faces.It educates, providing an awareness and understandingfor both children with AS and their peers. Charlene Walberg, President of Asperger Manitoba Inc.& parent of child with Asperger Syndrome"

Using humor, warmth and understanding, Jodi Carmichaelhas done a wonderful job of bringing to life some of the common daily challenges and strengths of a child with Asperger Syndrome. Through the thoughts of her hero, Connor, and the book s many charming illustrations, parents, teachers, and fellow studentswill be enlightened while entertained. April Buchanan, Ph.D., C.Psych., Educational Psychologist"

Mom-ology: To have Ms. Carmichael and Ms. Ackerley share these issues in the way that they have, not only makes it enjoyable but easy to understand. "

"In a story that delights while offering insight into how a child with Asperger's processes his school environment, Jodi Carmichael has captured a bright and honest voice in Connor. Readers will most certainly be charmed by him, and want to talk with him about dogs." Anita Daher, author of Racing for Diamonds and Spider's Song

"Jodi Carmichael does an excellent job in portraying a young boy, Connor, in the daily experience of having Asperger Syndrome with a focus on his strengths and abilities, while also showing the difficulties he faces. It educates, providing an awareness and understanding for both children with AS and their peers." --Charlene Walberg, President of Asperger Manitoba Inc. & parent of child with Asperger Syndrome

"Using humor, warmth and understanding, Jodi Carmichael has done a wonderful job of bringing to life some of the common daily challenges and strengths of a child with Asperger Syndrome. Through the thoughts of her hero, Connor, and the book's many charming illustrations, parents, teachers, and fellow students will be enlightened while entertained." April Buchanan, Ph.D., C.Psych., Educational Psychologist

About the Author

Author Bio:
Jodi Carmichael was born and raised in Manitoba, Canada. She loves reading, writing, summers at the lake, and knows almost everything about chocolate!
Her dreams of becoming an author began to come true when she attended her first SCBWI conference in Los Angeles in 2007. She was thrilled when her submission was nominated for the Sue Alexander Most Promising New Work Award.
Jodi is a strong advocate for Asperger's Syndrome which led to Connor and his adventures in "Spaghetti is NOT a Finger Food and Other Life Lessons." It is her belief that understanding brings tolerance, acceptance, and compassion for others.
Jodi lives in a big yellow house in the heart of Winnipeg. There she can often be found dancing in the living room with her two wildly imaginative daughters, her patient and supportive husband, and a scruffy Border Terrier named Zoe. She continues to write, give presentations, and talk about writing to whoever will listen.
Illustrator Bio:

Sarah Ackerley grew up in Waxahachie, Texas in a family of seven children. Her parents had a reputation for giving books as gifts for all holidays-Valentine's Day included-and so Sarah had no choice but to read them. Fortunately, she loved to read and she developed an early fascination with picture books that she never lost.

After earning her BFA from the University of Texas at Austin, Sarah began pursuing a career in children's book illustration. She developed her style by looking at hundreds of picture books and constantly drawing character sketches. She currently owns more picture books than regular books and will probably keep it that way as her Amazon shopping cart somehow keeps filling up with children's books that need to be purchased.

Sarah lives in Los Altos, California with her husband and two fickle cats. She divides her time between illustrating books and creating whimsical paintings and portraits for kids of all ages. Visit Sarah on the web at www.sarahackerley.com.