"Henry drew a picture of a bright
blue bag covered with white stars.
His poster read:
Join Classroom Ten on Friday for
Share Time.
"Not this week, Henry," said Mrs.
Tanaka. Henry did not get to hang
his poster in the hall.
The whole day felt very orange."
Henry loves the Big Calendar in his classroom. It lets him, and everyone else, know exactly what is going on. He likes his friends. He likes his teacher. He likes to know how each day of the week will play out while he is at school.
When Mrs. Tanaka announces that there will be a change on Friday, Henry is upset. Friday is the day for Share Time. As he reads out each label on their daily schedule, Henry notes that a parade has no place there. Samuel is scheduled to share on Friday; he agrees to change to Thursday. Henry is not appeased.
Mrs. Tanaka makes the Friday schedule reflect the change. It is a difference Henry cannot accept. His welcome poster is meant to invite visitors to enjoy their parade. Henry has difficulty with the message. Every day is the same that week; plans are being made for the parade. Henry cannot accept the change. When he feels sick on Thursday, his friend Katie goes with him to see the nurse. She cannot calm him.
Friday dawns with much excitement for Parade Day. Everyone is prepared; not Henry. He uses his Quiet Card and heads to the big closet for some quiet time on his own. A discovery made there provides the solution he's been looking for.
This a well-written and thoughtful early chapter book about a young boy on the autism spectrum, and the difficulties that come with change. Illustrations show all the emotions felt as Henry must deal with a difficult (for him) situation. It is respectful of his needs and allows him to take part in the way that suits him best.
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