Andy and His Yellow Frisbee

The new girl at school tries to befriend Andy, an autistic boy who spends every recess by himself, spinning a yellow frisbee under the watchful eye of his older sister.

A heartwarming illustrated children's book about Andy, a boy with autism. Like many children with autism, Andy has a fascination with objects in motion. It's Andy's talent for spinning his Frisbee combined with a new classmate's curiosity that sets this story in motion. Rosie, the watchful and protective sister, supplies background on Andy and autism, as well as a sibling's perspective.

School Library Journal

Gr 1-3-A sympathetic view of childhood autism from a young person's point of view. Sarah, a new girl at school, sees Andy by himself on the playground and is curious about his preoccupation with spinning a yellow frisbee. His sister Rosie watches Andy protectively from her soccer game and is fearful that the new girl will disturb his fragile composure. As Rosie thinks of Andy's problem, she explains autism to readers. Soft, watercolor illustrations reinforce the tenderness that Rosie feels toward her brother. There is none of the cruelty or lack of acceptance sometimes encountered by children with disabilities just because they are "different." At the end of the book, Thompson offers factual information about autism, its different degrees and characteristics. Andy is a book that will help youngsters see how those with special needs may be different but deserve tolerance and kindness just like all children do. A brief list for further reading offers other titles about autism from this publisher.-Betty Teague, Blythe Academy of Languages, Greenville, SC