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Material Type | Library | Call Number | Suggested Age | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Book | Searching... Cabell County Public Library | DEN | Juvenile | Searching... Unknown |
| Book | Searching... Cox Landing Public Library | DEN | Juvenile | Searching... Unknown |
| Book | Searching... Guyandotte Public Library | DEN | Juvenile | Searching... Unknown |
| Book | Searching... Putnam Main Public Library | DEN | Juvenile | Searching... Unknown |
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Summary
Summary
Loud noises frighten Alex very much. He wants to play with other children but their loud laughter and screams terrify him. All these noises make Alex's head hurt because Alex has autism. Children with autism or autism spectrum disorder [ ASD ] have challenges with social skills and communication. These children are severely frustrated and have difficulty coping with too much stimulation from their environment. ALEX and his MAGICAL COLORS is a heart-warming story about Alex and his magical ability to paint pictures with his amazing twirling colors. One day Alex realizes that his neighbors are sad because they are surrounded by the city's gray, gloomy walls. Despite his fear of the neighborhood's loud noises banging inside his head, Alex finds a way to communicate his love for his neighbors by painting the gray and gloomy walls with his amazing twirling colors. Drawing images and painting them with imaginative color patterns are excellent activities that can help all children, and those with autism and special needs share their thoughts and communicate with others.
Author Notes
Joe Denham is a pediatric doctor who also has a Psychology degree with an emphasis on child development and learning. Joe's heart-warming Autism Discovery Series begins with: ALEX and his MAGICAL COLORS, and MAGGIE and her MAGICAL IMAGINATION. Two additional autism stories will be released soon.Joe is also writing his Clara Cloud Series: CLARA CLOUD and the MAGICAL RAINBOWS, and CLARA CLOUD and the LOST EXPLORERS, recently released. Joe Denham resides with his family in Chester County, PA. He welcomes his readers to contact him: joedenham111@gmail.com
Reviews (1)
Kirkus Review
A young boy with autism enriches his neighborhood with a mural in Denham's picture book. Diverse children scream and cheer as they play baseball but feel sad afterward because of the field's "old, gray, gloomy" walls. Small Alex, who's White, is sad too, because the playtime noise (symbolized by red, spiky triangles and colored circles) is too much for him. Alex loves to draw bright, Lisa Frank--esque pictures of animals and family members. "Alex doesn't smile often," says the narrator, "but his paintings always make him happy." After a walk with his grandmother through the baseball field, Alex decides to paint a bright mural to make the space better--and be part of the games even if he can't be there in person. As he paints, children compliment his art and invite him to create more murals elsewhere. Refreshingly, this narrative about autism and sensory processing disorder makes space for children to excuse themselves from situations that distress them and find alternate ways to participate; there's no mandate that Alex play sports or tolerate noise. Simple text in an easy-to-read typeface and Haley's clean, lineless art makes this accessible to developing readers. The storyline emphasizes Alex's agency and creativity, and an ending questionnaire prompts parents to engage in open-ended conversations with kids about managing overwhelming stimuli. An affirming, progressive approach to sensory issues and autism. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
