The staircase is a rocky climb. The swirls in a toilet bowl are pulsating whirlpools.
These lines are not from some science fiction book. On the contrary, they are the everyday thoughts of Jonathan, the autistic narrator in Karen Simmons’s Little Rainman. In Little Rainman, we get to see the world from a new perspective – through an autistic brain.
Little Rainman and Autism
Little Rainman offers us a fresh look at what we consider to be mundane, daily life. The narrator, Jonathan, is an autistic child who finds his surroundings intriguing, but also scary at times.
The book inspires empathy, not sympathy. The world in Jonathan’s eyes is filled with unexpected challenges, but with patience and compassion, these obstacles are not insurmountable.
Such is the case with many ASD children as well. Little Rainman doesn’t teach us how to read the minds of autistic children, but it teaches us to be supportive. It compels us to ask, “If someday I were to find turning a corner terrifying, would someone be there to help me?”
About the Author
Little Rainman was written by Jonathan’s mother, Karen Simmons. At the time of writing, Karen has already published seven books about autism.
Her son Jonathan was two-and-a-half years old when he was diagnosed with autism. Driven by the love of a mother, Karen did everything she could to find the right support for her son. She has since then dedicated herself to raising and spreading awareness for autism.
No one is an instant expert at anything. Karen’s knowledge with ASD is accrued over decades of hard work and perseverance. This is what makes the writing in Little Rainman all the more impactful; this book is a testimony to a journey taken by a child and a mother.
Find the Magic in Little Rainman
Little Rainman is more than just a book about autism. It’s a book about discovering the power of empathy. It’s a book about listening instead of speaking. It’s a book about understanding that there is magic in every autistic child. And to find that magic, we need to look at life the way they do.
On top of that, the imaginative illustrations in Little Rainman makes it a great book for kids and adults alike. If you are looking to learn more about ASD with your children, Little Rainman is a must-read.
And don’t just take it from us. Dr. Grandin, a renowned advocate for ASD awareness, had high praises for Little Rainman as well.
“The pictures in Karen Simmons’s book, “Little Rainman” are the best illustrations I have ever seen of what autism is. They give the reader a really good picture of how a child with autism thinks. They think with pictures in their head. I use these in my presentation and lectures worldwide to demonstrate the visual thinking process.”
— Temple Grandin – Time Magazine’s Top 100 People 2011
Little Rainman also currently has a 4.3-star rating on Goodreads.
Pick up Little Rainman from Amazon or Future Horizons today to view the world through Jonathan’s fantastical lens.
