Melanie Walsh, Isaac and his Amazing Asperger Superpowers!, Walker Books Australia, 1 Feb 2016, 32pp., $24.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781406344455
Melanie Walsh’s bright, attractive picture book was born out of personal experience. She wanted to write a book to explain Asperger’s syndrome to young children, not in terms of its medical or psychological aspects but to help those who have contact with children with Asperger’s syndrome to understand how and why they behave the way they do.
Written in the first person, Isaac explains to the reader that his brain works differently to theirs. He knows lots of things that others may not want to know about. He has trouble making eye contact and sometimes walks straight past, not even remembering to say ‘Hello’. He tends to take what people say literally, even though they are joking, and has the tendency to be brutally honest. His sensitivity to noise and his affinity with his pets is also shown.
This is an original way of explaining Asperger’s to young readers. Isaac is an engaging character, shown wearing his superhero costume on many pages. The design and layout are done well, with good use of space and perspective. Varying page backgrounds are effective, especially the black and white ones on which the bright colours of the illustrations stand out. The love and support of Isaac’s family and teacher are implied but not overtly emphasised. Overall this book is a valuable addition to any situation where Asperger’s needs to be understood, especially families, classrooms and places such as daycare centres and preschools.
Reviewed by Lynne Babbage
