LoveReading4Kids Says
LoveReading4Kids Says
April 2024 Debut of the Month
Conjuring how it feels to be autistic, and how it feels to be friends with someone who has autism, Fiona Carswell’s The Boy Who Loves to Lick the Wind shares a springy story of understanding and the sheer joy of friendship.
“The boy next door SQUEAKS and WHOOPS and BOUNCES and FLAPS. And when he sees the sand and the sea he ROCKS and ROLLS. He doesn’t always speak in words.” The boy next door also “loves to lick the wind,” a sight that intrigues the narrator of this treasure, and so the boy’s mum suggests: “You should try it.”
To that end, the three of them spend a day at the beach, collecting shells and throwing stones into the sea. When the boy is distressed by his sandy sandwich, his mum explains that “sand in his mouth makes his brain feel wobbly.” Later, they have marvellous fun playing games together, and both enjoy the freeing feeling that comes from licking the wind.
Their happiness is infectious, and so too is the feeling of finding a friend, and understanding them. In fact, “it is the BEST FEELING IN THE WORLD. You should try it.” And what a delight it is when other children at school join their wind-licking fun.
Written in a warm, lucid style that’s well suited to sharing and reading aloud, Yu Rong’s compelling, high-contrast illustrations add further depth and emotion — all of which adds up to a book that will speak to all children in beautiful ways.
Joanne Owen
Find This Book In
| Suitable For: |
|
| Other Genres: |
|
| Recommendations: |
|
About
The Boy Who Loves to Lick the Wind Synopsis
The boy next door loves to lick the wind. “You should try it,” says his mum. “All the best winds are at the beach.” And so begins an amazing afternoon by the sea for two boys.
One doesn’t always speak with words and likes throwing stones – the other likes to collect shells and make sandcastles. But the sea works its magic and by the end of the day the boys discover they both love to lick the wind – together.
About This Edition
| ISBN: |
9781915659156 |
| Publication date: |
7th March 2024 |
| Author: |
Fiona Carswell |
| Illustrator: |
Yu Rong |
| Publisher: |
Otter-Barry Books Ltd |
| Format: |
Hardback |
| Pagination: |
32 pages |
| Suitable For: |
|
| Other Genres: |
|
| Recommendations: |
|
Press Reviews
Fiona Carswell Press Reviews
"What a kind, beautiful book. The Boy Who Loves to Lick the Wind addresses autism with tact, wit and positivity. Recommended for anyone directly affected by autism – and for everyone else too." David Mitchell author of The Reason I Jump (now an award-winning feature film)
"Beautifully illustrated...will help other children to be more understanding and accepting of autism." Temple Grandin, author of Thinking in Pictures
"This book should be on every library shelf and in every classroom." Elizabeth Laird
"What a joyous, beautifully written book that so lovingly and accurately describes the world of an autistic boy. I absolutely loved it." Chitra Ramaswamy, author and journalist
"A wonderful story exploring friendship and the joy that comes from embracing each other's uniqueness. Sensitively told, with joyful illustrations, this story captures both what it is like to be autistic and what it is like to be friends with someone with autism. A powerful, heartfelt story which deserves to be read by many, many children.” Catherine Ward, author of The Emerald Forest
"A joyous slice-of-life story where the lives of two different boys overlap exactly where friendship begins." Bruna de Luca, author of I’m Not Cute, I’m Dangerous
"This story about a friendship between a boy who likes to collect shells and another who doesn’t always speak with words, will help readers to understand autism spectrum disorder." - The Bookseller
Author
About Fiona Carswell
Fiona Carswell is the mother of two boys – one autistic and the other neurotypical – and lives in East Lothian, Scotland. By day, she is a publicist in the Arts & Books sector, promoting (other people’s) books, literary prizes, book festivals, cultural projects, venues and events.
In her spare time, Fiona writes occasionally for the Scottish press – mainly the Scotsman – and enjoys flying the flag for Autism Awareness Week each year, giving readers a glimpse into a world they may know very little about and which can be as hilarious as it is challenging, as life-affirming as it is sometimes heart-breaking, and as brilliantly, heart-burstingly bananas as it can be serious, overwhelming and utterly terrifying.
The Boy Who Loves to Lick the Wind is Fiona's first book.
More About Fiona Carswell
