'Savannah's Story' by Jodi Stone

Book blurb:

All Savannah wants is for someone to play with her. When she asks her older sisters to play, they both turn her down. It's at that very moment when Savannah makes a wish that leads her on a magical journey...one that will lead her on a trip through her favorite dollhouse and floating on a cloud of bubbles. Follow along with Savannah as she realizes the true meaning of friendship and family.

**My thoughts**

Kids can relate to the story of a little sister whose siblings don't want to play with her. So, she makes a magical wish and ends up going on an adventure in her favorite place: her dollhouse. She ends up having a lot of fun, but then realizes how much she still misses her family. She heads back home, only to discover that she can keep the magic alive. 

It's a sweet story with cute illustrations done by the author. I can almost envision her sitting side by side with her children while working on this book. The rhyming story flows well and doesn't feel forced as some rhyming stories can be. This is one that the kids in my class also enjoyed.

Buy links: Amazon \ Barnes & Noble 

Review of 'Ethan's Story: My Life With Autism'

Book blurb from Amazon:

When Ethan Rice was four years old, he was diagnosed with high-functioning autism. Hedecided that he wanted to tell his first grade class that he had autism on his seventh birthday. His parents asked him many questions about what having autism felt like for him and wrote his answers down as a reference for when he told his class. Those answers are now published so more people can understand what it is like to have autism. While each child on the spectrum has unique challenges and strengths, Ethan's Story; My Life with Autism is Ethan's own story.

**My thoughts**

I snatched up this book during an Anchor Publishing Group sale for Kindle and wish I also had it in paperback. Autism is near and dear to my heart, as I have several friends with children with autism and have also taught many. They are some of my favorite kids, because I love the way their minds work. They really are just kids whose brains work differently.

Ethan decided to write this book to help explain to his classmates what it meant for him to have autism. He first points out how kids are the same because they are all different. And then that his brain works differently than most of theirs. He then explains why he does the things he does, and ways in which they can help him. He also shares how autism is a great gift and his pride in being the boy that God created. 

I admire him for doing this. I want to read it to all kids, and to many adults, to emphasize that these kids are good kids. They look at life differently and require a bit of tweaking in how you interact with them. But they are still wonderful people. I hope people can learn from Ethan.

Buy links: Paperback / Kindle