posted on 21 Mar 2017

Tomas Loves ... by Jude Walton, illustrated by Jane Telford

This is a story that adds to the still relatively small number of picture books depicting a child with autism as the main character. There is always the danger that the condition can dominate the story and therefore make it more of an informational non- fiction book, but this is not the case with this one. For instance I really like the action that is implicit in the book title because it suggests that Tomas is going to play a central active role in the following story which it states in the subtitle is ‘a rhyming book about fun, friendship and autism'. The front cover illustration that extends across the back and repeated as the first double page spread is also very positive because it shows the little boy smiling and totally absorbed in playing with his toy train with his dog lying beside him. 

The following pages show him and his dog, Flynn spending time together doing things like watching cars, listening to stories that have repetitive content, and playing with tiny toys, as do many children. Tomas usually prefers quiet and hates sudden loud noises but also relishes the sounds of unusual words like  ‘thingamybob or a flipertyjane'. He has plenty of interests including horse riding and bouncing on trampolines and his favourite food is rice cakes with honey. The author originally trained in child psychology specialising in autism, and the useful note provided at the back of the book explains that the story was inspired by a real child who, like others on the autistic spectrum, relates very well to animals. This kind of close relationship between a child and an animal is familiar territory for children’s literature and so I hope that it would be included in book collections about the topic of pets and friendship. However it is the author’s skill in writing the simple rhyming text that really brings the book alive and the wonderfully soft yet dramatic watercolour illustrations throughout that make the book work so effectively. Lots of the illustrations include his mum or dad and sometimes both in the background.

Tomas clearly enjoys the same range of activities and experiences as any other young child. At the same time the book provides the adult reader with important information about why children with his condition often respond well to a calm, ordered, well planned and predictable environment, the need for a safe routine and a recognition of knowing about and encouraging individual personal interests. Just like all children.

 

Karen Argent 

March 2017