BOOK REVIEW PAGES FROM SIMON’S DIARY Author: Vicente García Oliva | Inés Sánchez Nadal From the reader report by: Mioko Nagami This warm, humorous book depicts the relation between the protagonist and Hector, a boy with autism. Simon has never even heard the word ‘autism,’ so he does not get hung up on the word. Instead, he observes Hector very carefully and tries to make conjectures about Hector’s feelings and intentions without getting angry or running away whenever trouble occurs. In this way, Simon gives us clues about how to approach people with autism. The book’s handwriting-like font really makes it feel as if we are reading Simon’s diary. The bright illustrations also use lots of primary colors, with Hector’s feelings expressed using a variety of geometrical patterns. The umbrella illustrations are a very effective way of symbolizing the nature of communication between Hector and other people. There are estimated to be around 360,000 people with autism in Japan. A number of publications aimed at people with autism or their carers have been released recently. Books aimed at the general population and young people in particular are still quite rare though, with the few examples including “Manuel’s Day,” a Chilean picture book by María José Ferrada, and “Suzuchan no Nomiso” by Minako Takeyama (Iwasaki Shoten). The understanding of the general public is vital for people with autism to thrive in schools and society. This book makes a contribution to the realization of an inclusive society where those with and without disabilities can live side by side. In 2021, this work was chosen as a Fundación Cuatrogatos Award recommended read, while in 2019 CLIJ magazine selected it as one of the top ten best books published in Spain for children and young adults.
PUBLISHED IN NEW SPANISH BOOKS JP
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