Masterpiece: an inclusive kids book celebrating a child on the autism spectrum (The Incredible Kids)

As a speech-language pathologist who works with children with speech-language differences/disorders, I am always looking for new books that have diverse representation and that showcase autistic characteristics in a positive light. This book does exactly that! I love that the main character is portrayed as artistic, creative, and happy throughout the story. He doesn't encounter a problem where he needs to learn some social skill like flexibility or rule-following-- it's more about the other children appreciating and accepting his differences vs. the autistic child having to conform. He wears headphones in class (as do many of the students I work with) so that was great to see, and his stimming by excitedly flapping his hands is embraced by his teacher. I love that even though the picture he creates is different from those of his peers (and a bit different from the teacher's instructions), the teacher compliments him on it. She also uses it as a teaching opportunity for the other students, but the lesson isn't too heavy-handed like in other books about differences or social-emotional learning. I like the way it uses colors as a way of illustrating the differences between children's preferences/personalities. Last, the illustrations are eye-catching and clear, which is important for using the book to target language skills like retell of the story, expressing verbs (many actions are depicted), expressing prepositions, and describing pictures. This book would be a great addition to any classroom or therapy room :)

What a lovely book that highlights inclusivity and perspective! The book’s delicate balance of acknowledgment and representation for those on the autism spectrum is a “masterpiece”…even down to the details of using blue throughout the book for autism awareness. The author weaves in similes beautifully, and I can see this book serving as a mentor text in a classroom. Additionally, with more and more students wearing noise-canceling headphones for a plethora of reasons, this book illustrates that it is completely acceptable and being yourself is what truly shines! I look forward to reading more books from this author.

A great story that showcases a real life situation with a message that goes much deeper. When the class assignment is to draw a picture of their family playing outside, some kids draw pictures of swinging on swings or skipping with their family. Samuel’s picture is all the beautiful shades of blue.Much can be gained from discussions after reading this story about differences, disabilities, neurodiversity, and kindness. As an OT and mother of a child with disabilities, I appreciate this inclusive story that helps educate the world about wonderful human differences!

I love this story. It’s simple but extremely profound, touching on a number of important themes: neurodiversity, acceptance, creativity in its myriad definitions just to name a few. The art work is also spectacular!

“Some of us use all the colors, and some of us use shades of only one.” Samuel’s peers will learn that just like his drawing, he is a masterpiece in Masterpiece by Alexandra Hoffman with illustrations by Beatriz Mello.“Samuel loved blue! He loved it so much that he made his world blue.” One day in school, Samuel’s teacher instructs the students to draw a picture of their family playing outside. “Make sure to use lots of color.” But Samuel thinks that everything is better in blue, so instead of using all the colors of the rainbow, he puts his headphones on and uses every shade of blue. At first the students don’t understand how it can be a masterpiece with just one color. But his teacher tells them: “Even though our art may be different, each is just as special.”This sweet little book features a young boy on the spectrum who wears headphones, flaps his hands in excitement, and doesn’t say much. He loves the color blue and expresses himself through his world of blue. Blue is my favorite color too, so I loved the bright and beautiful shades of blue used in the illustrations. The other kids draw pictures of playing on the swings, skipping, and having races, but Samuel’s world is just blue and that’s okay.Temple Grandin said that “without autism traits we might still be living in caves.” She understands that we need all different kinds of minds and ways of thinking to succeed as a society. This is the lesson Samuel’s classmates learn. Samuel is different, and his way of seeing the world is unique and wonderful! Samuel doesn’t need to change; he is a masterpiece. April is National Autism Acceptance Month, so why not read a book that teaches kids about empathy, kindness, and love, for we are all made in God’s image!

This book has such a beautiful message about inclusivity. I read this to my grandsons and we had such a wonderful conversation about it. I am a teacher and plan to share this with the school counselor who does lessons in all of the classrooms in the school. It would make such a great addition to our SEL curriculum!

A lovely picture book that has as its protagonist a boy on the autistic spectrum. Readers meet Samuel who is obsessed with the color blue.Mrs. Anderson gives the class an assignment to draw a picture of themselves enjoying a day outside with their family. Each of the children share. All the drawings display a plethora of colors except for Samuel's which portrays every shade of blue. When the children make fun of this, she proudly displays the drawing as a masterpiece showing lots of shades of blue.The illustrator shows Samuel wearing headphones, an accommodation frequently allowed for autistic children with sensory needs but rarely shown in books. I would have loved to have this book in my classroom library when teaching an integrated class combining special needs children with those in the general population. It encourages children to have empathy for those with special needs and helps them to understand there is strength in our uniqueness.Recommended for children ages four and older.

A good cry over a beautiful masterpiece. A wonderful ode to an amazing au mind. A new favorite book for bedtime.

A beautifully written story that encourages children to use their imagination as they capture moments that are important to them. Art is what you make of it and each person expresses it differently. Each creates their own masterpiece. The illustrations are beautiful and capture the essence of the story. Highly recommended

A lovely book where we are invited to see the world through the the eyes of a young boy who is on the autism spectrum as he works on his 'masterpiece' in class.The story introduces the peers in the young boys class (and the readers of the book) to autistic traits and responses, which is wonderful.The illustrations are fabulous.

I am so happy to find a book like this. My son is on the spectrum. He knows he is different from his peers. He is such an intelligent boy and is wise beyond his years which makes him stand out next to his peers in class. He uses headphones as well. Something I really felt this year of school is how much I wish other kids would be educated to include kids who are different from themselves in play. Great Job Alexandra!

This book is wonderful giving youngsters a little bit of understanding about a boy on the autism spectrum. The book is encouraging children to be confident in who they are just as the main character in the story is. He creates his own art very different from the other children simply using his favourite colour of blue but in so many different shades. A story worth checking out. Happy Reading Book Lovers 📚📖

Masterpiece is a special book to share with my 2 year old daughter, and the lessons that are important for any age. She immediately exclaimed ‘more’ when we finished reading it for the first time. The illustrations are exceptional. Every reader will feel the love that has went into the creation of this Masterpiece.