Spaghetti is not a Finger Food
Jodi Carmichael
Illustrated by Sarah Ackerley
ISBN-10: 0-9829938-8-9
ISBN-13:978-0-9829938-8-0
Publication Date: December 3, 2012
Illustrated Chapter Book
For Children Ages 8-12
Book Blurb: 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.
What a delightful story; funny and poignant and very realistic. It is written for children, but adults will enjoy Connor and his antics just as much as a child. A person with Asperger’s processes his or her world in such a different way than other people, and this story offers great insight into what that process is like without belaboring the point. For a little while you just walk in Connor’s shoes, cheering when he makes good choices and squirming when he does not. All the while you understand that for him to control his impulses is a great challenge.
The illustrations by Sarah Ackerley are so well done and help make the story come alive. We can see the struggle on the teacher’s face as she tries to be patient with Connor, and we can see his intensity when he just has to get that book on the top shelf in the library or tell his teacher that lizards are not related to dinosaurs.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.
Little Pickle Press is an eco-friendly publisher of award-winning children’s media. For more information, please visit their website
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| Jodi Carmichael |
About the Author Jodi Carmichael:
About the Illustrator Sarah Ackerley:
http://www.littlepicklepress.com/artists/illustrators
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What a great book review. Thanks so much Maryann!
I was so impressed with just how much Sarah Ackerley could convey in her illustrations of Connor and everyone else in the book. They add so much to the book. And you are right- I loved Spaghetti just as much as my children did!
Sarah drew Connor exactly as I saw him in my mind.
I was wondering about that, Jodi. Did you and Sarah talk about Connor beforehand, or did she read the book and come up with her own vision for him? I wonder how much input authors have when their books are illustrated by others.
Sarah imagined him as I wrote him. Seeing her first sketch was the most amazing moment. I was so choked up, I could hardly speak.
“A person with Asperger’s processes his or her world in such a different way than other people, and this story offers great insight into what that process is like without belaboring the point.” I love that you highlighted the subtle indication of Connor’s differences. Jodi did a wonderful blog of accurately portraying the thought processes of a child with Asperger’s, and making his character relatable. It truly highlights one of the major messages in this book– that we are ALL a little different, and that is pretty neat!
A perfect download for all those new gadgets everyone got for Christmas! It’s a fast and funny read, even though the underlying message is about being accepted for your own unique talents, no matter how unusual.
I, too, love the illustrations because they perfectly capture the emotions that Connor was going through. And Jodi did a wonderful job of creating a character that we can relate to. Thank you for the wonderful review, Maryann!
Jodi, so glad you liked the review. It was easy to write since I loved the book. I am really crazy about so many of the books from Little Pickle Press. I think because they couch a subtle message in an engaging story with terrific pictures. Maybe I’m regressing into childhood again and just loving picture books. (smile)
That is so cool the way you and Sarah connected creatively with the character of Connor. Magic!!!
I think it’s best to keep one foot firmly in childhood, Maryann. It much more fun there. 🙂
Great way to teach children about the uniqueness of individuals.
Morgan Mandel
http://www.morganmandel.com
So true, Morgan – and that uniqueness should be celebrated.
I agree, Jodi. My father always had a sense of childhood delight in life, and I think I got that gift from him. Playing is good for us.
Thanks again for being such a great blog book tour host, Maryann. 🙂
You’re welcome, Jodi. And than you for such a delightful book.
This book made me belly laugh, and I tend to be, well, serious. Thanks for the terrific review, Maryann.