April is National Autism Awareness Month
All My Stripes: A Story for Children with Autism
Shaina Rudolph and Danielle Royer, Authors
Jennifer Zivoin, Illustrator
Magination Press, Fiction, Mar. 22, 2015
Suitable for Ages: 4-8
Themes: Autism Spectrum, Animals, Differences
Opening: Zane ran home as fast as he could. “Nobody gets me, Mama!” Mama hugged Zane. He began to tell her about his bad day.
Synopsis: Zane the Zebra feels different from the rest of his classmates. He worries that all they notice about him is his red “autism stripe” located smack in the middle of his forehead. During art class when the other zebras are working on their hoof-painting projects, Zane doesn’t want to get paint on his hooves and uses a paintbrush instead. The other zebras tease him. During math class, the fire alarm blares. The other zebras form a line and leave while Zane hides under his desk screaming. After lunch he tries to join in the conversation with the other zebras and they ignore him. He worries that all the other zebras see is his autism stripe.
What I like about this book:
- All My Stripes is a heartwarming book written especially for children with autism. They will easily see themselves in this lovable zebra hero. As they follow Zane at school they will identify with his sensitivity to touch and sound, and his difficulty interacting with the other zebras. Zane wants so much to fit in and just can’t figure out how to start a conversation. When the kids walk away, Zane starts talking louder. I’m sure this will resonate with autistic children.
- Shaina Rudolph and Danielle Royer shine a light on the autism spectrum, but go a step further and show how endearing, unique and beautiful the children are in this inspiring story about embracing differences. Although the book is meant for kids with autism, its message really could translate to all children. It is also very entertaining.
- I applaud the author’s use of stripes as a wonderful metaphor in the story. Mama zebra helps Zane feel proud of all of his stripes. She holds him up to a mirror and tells him the meaning of his stripes and how each pattern reveals something that is uniquely Zane: his caring stripe, his curiosity stripe, his pilot stripe, his honesty stripe and his autism stripe. Children will grasp this concept.
- Jennifer Zivoin’s illustrations are bold, colorful and stunning. They capture Zane’s emotions and exhilaration. Children will carefully pour over each adorable detail. Great collaboration between the authors and illustrator.
Resources/Activities: The book has a wealth of information at the end. There is a reading guide that follows the book and tackles the problems that Zane faces in school. There is also a note to for parents and caregivers with tips on finding support. Encourage kids to draw a picture of a zebra and make their own unique stripe patterns. Visit Hello Kids to learn how to draw a zebra.
Every Friday, authors and KidLit bloggers post a favorite picture book. To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books (PPB) with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Books.
Children's Books Heal 
What a great way to look at autism. It’s just another stripe, in with all your other stripes. Love it!
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Yes, I love how this book looks at autism. Kids will understand the concept.
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I think this idea of using stripes to share all the facets (including autism) of this young zebra is wonderful and so visually strong to help young readers understand some of the beauty and challenge of being on the autism spectrum. The front cover is quite zany!
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This story is so adorable and really drives home the message about autism is just one aspect of who the zebra/child is. Kids will really love this book. Unfortunately the cover I share doesn’t really show how beautiful the illustrations are.
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Can’t wait to read this one. Such a clever way to approach a difficult topic. Thanks so much for sharing Patricia.
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Glad you enjoyed ALL MY STRIPES. It is such a positive book for children with autism.
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Pingback: All My Stripes: A Story for Children with Autism | Natasha Wing
This sounds like such an important little book–I agree, the stripes metaphor is perfect! Thanks for telling us about it Patricia.
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Yes, the stripes are a great metaphor for children. Love this book.
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This looks wonderful and like a very helpful book for giving perspective to kids of all kinds. My son has a good friend that has very recently been diagnosed as being on the spectrum. I’m looking for more resources to help my son understand his friend better — All My Stripes looks like it could help my son understand his friend better. Thank you so much! This book recommendation couldn’t have come at a better time for us!
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I’m so glad that you like that book. Yes, I think it would be a great way to introduce your son to autism.
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This looks like a fantastic find. Thank you SO so much for this review, Pat. I am going to order this one right now.
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Yes it is a great find! And, the illustrations really are adorable — the book cover doesn’t show how wonderful they are.
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Autism seems to be diagnosed more often all the time and this looks like a great resource. The stripe idea is a great visual for kids.Thanks for sharing the book, Pat!
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Yes, the stripe is a great visual for kids — they will get it!
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Patricia, thank you for sharing. What a great concept! This is a very caring way to show the problem children with autism face.
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So happy you like this story. It really is great to share with children who have autism, as well as with other children.
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Pat, I can see how this book would be extremely helpful for kids with or without autism. And It’s never too early to teach kids about respecting others who are not like themselves. Love that the author used stripes to show the differences among the zebras. Great review!
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Thank you! I felt that this book would be helpful to kids without autism. We all have differences and its learning to accept who we and others are. This book is such a special story — adorable illustrations.
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What a great book! I love how zebras and stripes are used to broach the topic. Fun and educational. Will have to take a look at this one for our library. Thanks for highlighting!
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I loved how this story was presented. The illustrations are beautiful. And, it has such a wonderful message.
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That really is brilliant to use a stripe as a metaphor for autism (and some of those behaviors are all too familiar to me with my son). And, what fun! Jennifer Zivoin is an illustrator in my local SCBWI group. Such a lovely gal.
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Thought you might really like this book. Since you know Jennifer, you must see her fabulous illustrations. They really make the story work!
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I love the concept of this book – would be very useful in the classroom. I also like the activity where the children draw a zebra and add in their own unique stripes. Everyone is different in their own way!
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Yes, it would be a useful book for the classroom. It has such a great message and lush illustrations.
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This sounds like a great book about autism! Very different than others I’ve read.
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Yes, it is really written for children with autism. And the stripes are a great visual metaphor showing that everyone has differences.
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You say it is a book especially for children with autism but I think kids without and with differences would benifit from this book, too. We all feel different. Kids will definitely see and empathize with autistic children when they are told the problem. This is a wonderful book meant for everyone. 🙂
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Yes, I agree Clair. It really Is a story about accepting differences that make us unique. But, it is written for especially for kids with autism.
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