“I have autism. There’s nothing wrong with me. I’m just Elliot.”

Just Eliot covers some common symptoms of autism, including sensory issues and communication issues, in order to help students understand their classmates with autism a little better. I think it’s important as bullying can be a big problem, and Eliot encounters some people as well. But it also hits on the talent and intelligence children with autism have that makes them so unique. The forward is by Temple Grandin, a role model for children with autism as she utilized her unique passions and talents to become successful.

The illustrations are a realistic paint style, and contain visualizations of sensory processing struggles, such as bees noisily and scarily surrounding Eliot as he gets a haircut, or thumbtacks pricking him when he wears his jacket. The art wasn't super adorable or creative like I usually enjoy in my children's books, but it was useful and educational and therefore was the best choice for this book in my opinion.

It includes a resource section including further reading for parents and children, website resources, and a discussion guide.

Please note, I received a free ARC in exchange for a review. The review contains my honest, uninfluenced opinion and I was not compensated in any way for a positive review.

Just Elliot by Sue Baer is the tale of Elliot, a young boy on the autism spectrum. It is told from Elliot's point of view, so that we get to see what goes on in his head. We learn the things that trigger him, and how he copes under the stigma of being different. Of needing things just so. Elliot starts a new class, and several of his classmates find him odd. A few bully him. That first day, Elliot doesn't eat lunch because the food is the wrong colour. Recess is also a trial for him. Adjustments are made, and Elliot can spend recess inside. His mum starts packing his lunch. Elliot does make a friend though, Sam, who comes over to play, and who takes the time to understand him. During recess, Elliot builds with Legos, locking his project away each day. When he finally reveals his finished project, Elliot becomes the star of the class.

The artwork for this story was beautiful, and for the most part, my cubs I found it enjoyable. Really, what lowered the rating for me was that even some of them were perceptive enough to ask 'if his mum knows how Elliot is, why didn't she pack his lunch to begin with?’ and 'she (Elliot's mum) should have told the teacher the rules the first day so he didn't have a bad first day’. I gotta agree. Still, overall it is a decent book for helping younger kids understand people on the autism spectrum.

***Many thanks to Netgalley and Netgalley Connect for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

As a parent of a child currently being assessed this book was timely in the extreme.

Accessible writing and great illustration make this book ideal for every classroom for both spectrum and non-spectrum children, allowing both to understand more about the differences and difficulties faced.

With thanks to the publisher, author and NetGalley for the ARC.

The book gives us a perspective of a boy named Elliot who has autism. He has some small difficulties in his life such as sensitivity to sights, sounds, tastes and smells. He can't wear the new shirt because of the tag on it and his mum gives another shirt for him to wear. The book explains Autism perfectly for the kid to develop empathy towards his/her classmate in class.

A beautiful book, told in the perspective of a young child with autism. It goes through his daily life, and explains how some simple acts such as getting dressed, or getting his hair cut is harder for him to handle as he is easily overwhelmed by certain senses. I think it was written beautifully, and the illustrations are marvelous. A perfect addition to any classroom, but a must for classroom that include spectrum children.

I have received a much appreciated digital copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.