Book #8 Since We're Friends

While this book is an enjoyable read and valuable because it shows the power
of friendship, it falls short with regard to some of the standards for good literature
that portrays characters with disabilities (see second table below).

	Related Information	Comments
Name of Book:	Since We’re Friends An Autism Picture Book	Foreward by Alison Singer, Executive V.P. Autism Speaks
Authors	Celeste Shally
Illustrator	David Harrington
Publisher	First published by Awaken Specialty Press, 2007 Skyhorse Publishing (Sky Pony Press); 2012	http://www. skyponypress .com/book/?GCOI=6160 8108980900
Year of Pub:	2012
ISBN:     (ISBN-13)	9781616086565
Age range	4-10
Type of Disability	Autism
Fiction or Nonfiction	Fiction
Category:  B A) books that provide factual information about a disability B) books that provide information about a disability in a story format in which the character with a disability is integral to the plot C) books that provide stories that have a character with a disability who may or may not be integral to the storyline and who has been added to the story to achieve diversity and reflect reality D) books that include a main character with a disability, but the focus of the book is not necessarily the disability
Annotation:  The narrator is a good friend of Matt, who has autism. The two boys do everything together. When Matt has trouble understanding the coach’s directions, the narrator shows him what to do. When Matt wants to talk about animals all the time, the narrator is happy to do so. When Matt gets frustrated because other kids take his toys at the pool, the narrator figures out a way for all the boys to play together. When Matt is very disappointed because the pool is closed for repairs, the narrator invites Matt to run through the sprinkler at his house. The narrator shows understanding, empathy, and maturity.  He wants Matt to feel good (since they’re friends) and goes out of his way to make sure Matt is included, calm, and happy.
Link to publisher:	http://www. skyponypress .com/book/?GCOI=6160 8108980900
Links to professional reviews:	School Library Journal: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/since-were-friends-celeste-shally/1110930656 (scroll down to ‘Editorial Reviews’)

                       

Standards for Quality Portrayal of Characters with a disability		Comments
1. Promotes empathy not pity	Yes
2. Promotes acceptance, not ridicule	Yes
3. Emphasizes success rather than, or in addition to failure	Yes	“Matt is good at scoring, and I’m good at dribbling and passing.”
4. Promotes positive images of persons with disabilities or illness	Yes	Shows Matt having fun and smiling and also portrays Matt’s difficulties and frustration.
5. Assists children in gaining accurate understanding of the disability or illness	Sometimes	Provides concrete examples of Matt’s behavior and emotions that are attributable to his autism; however some of the examples are too simplified.
6. Demonstrates respect for persons with disabilities or illness	Yes
7. Promotes attitude of “one of us” not “one of them.”	Yes and No	Yet since Matt is the only character with a disability in this book, there is a clear impression that he is “different.”
8. Uses people-first language	Yes
9. Describes the disability or person with disabilities or illness as realistic (not subhuman or superhuman)	Yes
10. Depicts people with disabilities as more similar to than different from other people	Yes
11. Shows peoples’ strengths and abilities along with their disabilities	Yes	.
12. Represents characters as strong, independent people who others can admire or learn from	No	No examples in this book of how other children admire or learn from Matt.
13. Represents people with disabilities from different racial and cultural backgrounds, religions, age groups, and sexual orientations	Yes	Matt is African American. Narrator is white.
14. Shows people with disabilities in integrated settings and activities	Yes
15. Shows people with disabilities in valued occupations and diverse roles.	N.A.
16. Shows people with disabilities in reciprocal relationships	Reciprocal but nevertheless, slightly unbalanced	The boys are good friends, which is emphasized on every page. However, the reader gets the impression that the narrator “takes care” of his friend Matt who has autism.
17. Main character develops and grows emotionally as a result of what happens in the story	No	Matt does not develop or grow emotionally over the course of the story. He is portrayed as a child who needs a good friend like the narrator but cannot be an exact equal partner in the friendship. Due to his autism, Matt is needier and less emotionally regulated.