
Why Johnny Doesn't Flap
Description
Johnny is different. He is never exactly on time, he can't seem to stick to a routine and he often speaks in cryptic idioms. Johnny is neurotypical, but that's OK.
A picture book with a difference, Why Johnny Doesn't Flap turns the tables on common depictions of neurological difference by drolly revealing how people who are not on the autistic spectrum are perceived by those who are. The autistic narrator's bafflement at his neurotypical friend's quirks shows that 'normal' is simply a matter of perspective.
Product Details
Publisher | Jessica Kingsley Publishers |
Publish Date | October 21, 2015 |
Pages | 32 |
Language | English |
Type | |
EAN/UPC | 9781849057219 |
Dimensions | 8.4 X 8.5 X 0.3 inches | 0.6 pounds |
About the Author
Reviews
An unnamed boy with autism describes his friend Johnny's unusual and sometimes perplexing behaviors: "Mom says it is because he is NT, or neurotypical. He doesn't have autism, so his brain works differently from mine, but that's ok." Johnny doesn't arrive precisely on time to visit, makes direct eye contact, "doesn't have a topic he knows everything about, like World War II or dinosaurs or forklifts," and "always wants to play with other kids." Merry's artwork is somewhat rudimentary (the boys' facial expressions scarcely change, even when the narrator is having a "meltdown," and there isn't much variation in the staging of the images). But the authors' subversion of expectations through the narration is effective and thought-provoking, and may well lead neurotypical readers to reconsider their own behaviors and judgments. Ages 5-9. (Oct.) --Publishers Weekly
This is a wonderful wheeze! Johnny is neuro-typical, while the story teller is autistic. We see Johnny from his point of view, and to him, Johnny is a cause of bafflement... However, our narrator says his mum explains that everyone is different, and just because Johnny is different doesn't mean they can't be good friends. Which they are... The funny and clever thing about this approach is that the narrator seems to feel slightly superior to Johnny, and it is interesting and possibly unique in a picture book to show how autistic people look at those of us who don't share their outlook. A brilliant and highly original book with lovely warm illustrations.--Healthy Books "healthybooks.org.uk"
A delightful departure from the norm, Why Johnny Doesn't Flap flips the script and models empathy, acceptance, and compassion for that oddest of neurologies, the neurotypical. This irreverent subversion is a breath of fresh air, and reminds us that there's not a right way to have a brain, and that 'normal' is in the eye of the beholder. We're better off with a dose of the Mortons' wry perspective.--Julia Bascom, author, The Obsessive Joy of Autism
The young narrator of this charming book helps readers understand why a neurotypical peer's behavior can be so confusing. Fun illustrations support the text, providing extra opportunities for discussion exploring the differences between NT and ASD behaviors, and that's more than OK. That's super duper!--Liane Holliday Willey, author of Pretending to be Normal, Asperger Syndrome in Adolescents, and Asperger Syndrome in the Family
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