Next Level

Starred review from May 15, 2024
A mother enjoys a day with her autistic son. After mother and son attend church, the child sheds his restrictive clothes for something light and comfy. The boy plays outside before the two take the bus home, where the child bathes and gets ready for bed. The stylish mother is always on the same page as her child, never embarrassed, even when others judge the boy for behavior they see as disruptive. Though many people don't understand the child, he's "on the next level," as she tells him. Cole Doyon's text is a poignant poem from a parent to a child, making beautiful use of imagery and metaphor and bursting with love. The author explores the child's unique way of seeing the world and the many ways he and his mother communicate without words. Difficult emotions are simply part of the ups and downs of the day, not something to fear. Juanita's endearing yet sophisticated illustrations, rendered in her distinctive style, depict a loving Black family; the visuals also incorporate objects that are part of many autistic children's lives, such as fidget- and chewable jewelry and a sensory body sock. This book will resonate with those children who see themselves in it; for others, it will be a window into one boy's experience of autism. A deeply empathetic celebration of familial love and neurodiversity. (author's note) (Picture book. 5-10)

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