Too Sticky!

February 1, 2020
A young girl with autism and sensory issues dreads slime day at school. Holly's science class is making slime, but she's not excited one bit. In fact, Holly is rather anxious at the thought of making slime, because it's made with sticky glue, and just syrup is enough to make her squirm in distress. Holly's sensory issues are depicted via her dislike of sticky things, loud noises that hurt her ears, and her discomfort with making eye contact. Readers quickly grasp how Holly experiences the world differently compared to neurotypical children through Holly's use of coping methods such as breathing exercises and using a stress ball in class. Throughout the story, Holly's family, teacher, and classmates are shown to be understanding and helpful. They demonstrate their support and care by making small accommodations, such as speaking up or apologizing for making a loud noise. Indeed, the #ownvoices author's debut picture book showcases the world as it should be, one in which people are aware of Holly's autism and sensory issues and act accordingly. This story is a great conversation starter to help children understand that not everyone experiences the world the same. Lew-Vriethoff's lively illustrations capture the emotions of the story, complementing Malia's simple storytelling. Holly is depicted with fair skin and light brown hair while other characters are illustrated with various skin tones and hair colors. Charming, inclusive, and grounded in real-life experiences. (author's note, slime recipe) (Picture book. 6-8)

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March 1, 2020
Preschool-G Holly doesn't like touching sticky things, so she's nervous about today's classroom activity: making slime. Her parents explain the issue to her teacher, and with a little support and encouragement, Holly completes the project and learns that slime isn't so bad after all. What the text doesn't say?although the subtitle does?is that Holly is autistic, which means she has certain sensory and communication challenges: loud noises bother her, eye contact is uncomfortable, and the thought of sticky hands causes stress. Malia, writing from an #OwnVoices perspective, illustrates how an autistic child can coexist with neurotypical children, address her personal difficulties, and?thanks to a supportive environment?thrive. Not only is Holly capable but she's also intelligent; as she finds ways to cope, she's able to explain the science to her classmates. Perhaps most important, the story centers on a neurodiverse girl, giving a mirror to countless children and helping neurotypical readers see things from a different yet relatable point of view. A heartfelt author's note adds a personal touch plus further information on autism spectrum disorder.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)