A Friend for Henry (Henry)

This quiet story looks on as Henry, a boy on the autism spectrum, interacts with his classmates in search of a friend. With sensitivity and thoughtfulness, Bailey explores Henry's literal-minded, analytical personality and the way it clashes with some of the other children's dispositions. When Henry arranges carpet squares for reading time ("All the edges met and the corners fit perfectly"), his classmate Samuel grabs one, insisting that it is a magic carpet. Henry becomes frustrated--the squares were carefully arranged, he says, and they're "from Rug World. There's a sticker." Artwork by Song (Tea with Oliver) captures Henry and his classmates in graceful, economical strokes. When he's upset, Henry's eyebrows furrow and his fists clench. Soon, though, he's watching Gilly the classroom goldfish; another child, Katie, watches the bowl silently opposite him. "She's shimmery," says Katie. "But she doesn't blink," Henry responds. Young readers will see that Katie is the kind of friend who will give Henry the space and consideration he needs, and they'll feel his relief. Bailey, the author's biography explains, is the mother of a child on the autism spectrum, and her portrayal of what autism might feel like from the inside rings true. Ages 5-8. Author's agent: Rosemary Stimola, Stimola Literary Studio. Illustrator's agent: Erica Rand Silverman, Stimola Literary Studio. (Feb.)

PreS-Gr 1--Henry is looking for a friend who is quiet, shares, and likes to read. Making friends can be difficult for anyone, but it is especially hard for Henry. He misreads social situations, believing that because a classmate has rainbow-painted nails, she would enjoy having her shoes painted. He lines the reading carpet squares up perfectly and melts down when another classmate's rambunctious, imaginative play disrupts the squares. One by one, classmates are ruled out as potential friends--until Katie. Katie is quiet and likes to read, too. However, Katie slides down the big slide, something Henry would never do. Still, the two bond over their love for the class fish, and Henry takes a chance and asks Katie to play with him. They play together both indoors and out, leading Henry to the realization that friends don't have to be exactly alike to appreciate each other. The ink-and-watercolor illustrations show a diverse classroom. Henry is Asian and Katie is African American. It is never stated that Henry has autism, but his actions and thought processes will be familiar to readers who know someone on the autism spectrum. VERDICT A simple, upbeat story that might inspire readers to seek out friendship, and a good addition to general picture book collections.--Kelly Roth, Bartow County Public Library, Cartersville, GA