On his first day of preschool, Dimitri’s vocal affection for everything is met with wary reactions—until his guileless words begin to take root and grow. Dimitri may be small, but his heart is as big and as open as a cloudless blue sky. “I love you,” Dimitri tells his new classmates at preschool. “I love you,” Dimitri tells the class guinea pig and the ants on the ground. “I love you,” Dimitri tells the paintbrushes and the tree with heart-shaped leaves. So why doesn’t anyone say “I love you” back? Could love also be expressed in unspoken ways? In a familiar story of navigating the social cues of new friendship, author Jane Porter and illustrator Maisie Paradise Shearring offer a thoughtful tribute to the tender ones—those who spread kindness simply by being, and who love without bounds.

The acclaimed, poignant story of a boy with Williams syndrome, a condition that makes people biologically incapable of distrust, a “well-researched, perceptive exploration of a rare genetic disorder seen through the eyes of a mother and son” (Kirkus Reviews). What would it be like to see everyone as a friend? Twelve-year-old Eli D’Angelo has a genetic disorder that obliterates social inhibitions, making him irrepressibly friendly, indiscriminately trusting, and unconditionally loving toward everyone he meets. It also makes him enormously vulnerable. On the cusp of adolescence, Eli lacks the innate skepticism that will help him navigate coming-of-age more safely—and vastly more successfully. In “a thorough overview of Williams syndrome and its thought-provoking paradox” (The New York Times), journalist Jennifer Latson follows Eli over three critical years of his life, as his mother, Gayle, must decide whether to shield Eli from the world or give him the freedom to find his own way and become his own person. Watching Eli’s artless attempts to forge connections, Gayle worries that he might never make a real friend—the one thing he wants most in life. “As the book’s perspective deliberately pans out to include teachers, counselors, family, friends, and, finally, Eli’s entire eighth-grade class, Latson delivers some unforgettable lessons about inclusion and parenthood,” (Publishers Weekly). The Boy Who Loved Too Much explores the way a tiny twist in a DNA strand can strip away the skepticism most of us wear as armor, and how this condition magnifies some of the risks we all face in opening our hearts to others. More than a case study of a rare disorder, The Boy Who Loved Too Much “is fresh and engaging…leavened with humor” (Houston Chronicle) and a universal tale about the joys and struggles of raising a child, of growing up, and of being different.

When life is funny, make some jokes about it. Billy Plimpton has a big dream: to become a famous comedian when he grows up. He already knows a lot of jokes, but thinks he has one big problem standing in his way: his stutter. At first, Billy thinks the best way to deal with this is to . . . never say a word. That way, the kids in his new school won’t hear him stammer. But soon he finds out this is NOT the best way to deal with things. (For one thing, it’s very hard to tell a joke without getting a word out.) As Billy makes his way toward the spotlight, a lot of funny things (and some less funny things) happen to him. In the end, the whole school will know -- If you think you can hold Billy Plimpton back, be warned: The joke will soon be on you!

Randi Davenport’s story is a testament to human fortitude, to hope, and to a mother’s uncompromising love for her children. She had always worked hard to provide her family with a sense of stability and strength, despite the challenges of having a son with autism and a husband whose erratic behavior sometimes puzzled and confused her. But eventually, Randi’s husband slipped into his own world and permanently out of her family’s. And at fifteen, her son Chase entered an unremitting psychosis—pursued by terrifying images, unable to recognize his own mother, unwilling to eat or even talk—becoming ever more tortured and unreachable. Beautifully written and profoundly moving, this is the heartbreaking yet triumphant story of how Randi Davenport navigated the byzantine and broken health care system and managed not just to save her son from the brink of suicide but to bring him back to her again, and make her family whole. In The Boy Who Loved Tornadoes, she gives voice to the experiences of countless families whose struggles with mental illness are likewise invisible to the larger world.

A sweet and charmingly illustrated picture book about the ways we express love. "I love you," Dimitri tells everyone, from his friends at nursery to the big tree in the playground. But why does no one say it back? Dimitri worries no one loves him - until he finds out there are lots of different ways love can spread through the world. A touching and uplifting story, perfect for sharing.

This beautiful adaptation of the beloved The Boy and The Moon--winner of multiple international independent film awards--tells the story of a boy who swims the deepest seas and slays the mightiest dragons to win the Moon's love.

What would it be like to see everyone as a friend? Twelve-year-old Eli D’Angelo has a genetic disorder that obliterates social inhibitions, making him irrepressibly friendly, indiscriminately trusting, and unconditionally loving toward everyone he meets. It also makes him enormously vulnerable. Journalist Jennifer Latson follows Eli over three critical years of his life as his mother, Gayle, must decide whether to shield Eli entirely from the world and its dangers or give him the freedom to find his own way and become his own person.

What does modern Britain look like and how do we prepare our children for life in an ever-changing world? We want children to be able to live and work anywhere and with anyone without fear and without judgement. Schools need a strong, confident framework where young people are taught to explore and value their own identities and the identities of others. No Outsiders is a whole school ethos teaching children that everyone is different, and everyone belongs: there are no outsiders at our school because everyone is welcome. Using this book and a common language threaded throughout the school, we can work to challenge prejudice in wider society. The book includes: 43 lesson plans and assembly ideas. A framework to deliver an inclusive curriculum built around picture books written for children aged 4-11, many of which will already be in school libraries. The stories of Head Teachers, speaking of their journeys, challenges, and successes. Innovative ways to keep parents informed and involved. Steeped in current practice and easy to implement in your school, No Outsiders: We Belong Here expands the No Outsiders collection with a wealth of new lesson plans and will be an essential resource for primary school teachers, school leaders, and teacher-training providers.

Learn how to use children's books during storytime to approach sensitive topics and increase children's social-emotional wellness-and how to create storytimes that are engaging, participative, and FUN! The emotional challenges many children experience consume the time of teachers, exhaust parents, and sometimes lead children toward behaviors that prohibit social and academic success. Storytime to the rescue! Library storytimes prepare children for kindergarten; storytimes at home and in preschools allow teachers, parents, and children to think and talk about empathy and the importance of honoring your own and others' feelings. In Bringing Heart and Mind into Storytime, Heather McNeil teaches librarians and teachers how to use books to open conversations with children to teach such concepts as patience, tenacity, kindness, and teamwork. McNeil shares research on brain development, social-emotional learning, and the importance of play, but she also emphasizes maintaining the fun of storytime. She recommends songs, action rhymes, games, and crafts that contribute to fun and healthy storytimes. Extensive lists of recommended books will help readers find the right ones for their audience.

Foreword by Professor Tony Attwood, Clinical Psychologist Ogwadabwah! A Life Lived on the Spectrum takes readers on a chronological exposé of a young man’s life, navigating the complexities of Asperger’s Syndrome and other developmental and mental health diagnoses. Delve into the profound impact that Edan’s diagnoses have had on his family and friends. Witness the modifications and adjustments required to cope with the unique challenges that arise. From his early years as a happy and easily managed child to his transformation into a self-harming, offending, and occasionally dangerous individual, this memoir courageously explores an aspect of ASD literature and social media platforms rarely examined. Through the pages Ogwadabwah!, the depths of Edan’s emotions and the complexities of his experiences are revealed. Intertwined within Edan’s personal accounts are poignant anecdotes from contributors who share their own experiences. These voices enrich the narrative and provide a multifaceted perspective on the challenges and triumphs of living with Asperger’s Syndrome. Prepare to be moved, enlightened, and inspired as you immerse yourself in this powerful real-life story. Edan’s tale is a testament to the human spirit’s ability to persevere, find outlets for self-expression, and embrace a future filled with possibilities.