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Looking after Louis
A young girl sits next to a boy named Louis at school. Louis has autism, but through imagination, kindness, and a special game of soccer, his classmates find a way to join him in his world. Then they can include Louis in theirs.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
September 20, 2015
Looking after Louis is an ambitious children’s book, and author Lesley Ely’s intentions are undoubtedly positive as she depicts a young boy with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) making progress in an inclusive classroom setting. However, I found this book to be slightly problematic in its execution.
Louis is the new boy at the unnamed female narrator’s school. She describes with curiosity how Louis is ‘not quite like the rest of us’, commenting on his frequent repetition of other people’s words and his lack of social interaction with other students in the playground. As the story progresses, the narrator and her peers begin to form a connection with Louis through a game of football and the book ends with a positive image of him playing outside with a fellow member of his class.
As someone who has experience working with students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and specifically ASD, I found it refreshing to discover a text aimed at introducing to children the issue of ASD and acceptance of those with the condition. Having said this, there were parts of the story that I felt could provide barriers to the kind of acceptance of SEN that Ely was clearly trying to advocate. There is a recurring use of the word ‘us’ to describe the children in the class, a collective noun which Louis is then excluded from, as seen in the previous ‘not quite like the rest of us’ description. Putting Louis in this oppositional linguistic position throughout the book may only add to the sense that his differences keep him separate from the collective identity of his class. Even by the end of the book, Louis has not been accepted as one of ‘us’; as he plays outside during lesson time the narrator concludes that ‘we’re allowed to break rules for special people.’ This line supports a positive message that treating people equally doesn't always mean treating them the same but it also serves to reiterate the notion of Louis as ‘other’ rather than someone who participates in the norms and values of the class.
The main aspect of Looking after Louis that I find problematic, is the fact that it is never specified that Louis has ASD, only that he is ‘different.’ Adult readers may ascertain fairly quickly that this is the case, especially as the last page provides an adult-level explanation of ASD in the context of mainstream inclusion. However, young readers will be unaware of what truly makes Louis ‘different.’ This lack of clarity could be seen to imply that open and honest discussion of disability and SEN is not something that children are capable of or should be engaging in, which I would strongly disagree with.
Overall, I think that there would be some value in reading Looking after Louis with primary age children, as it could be used as a discussion tool for disability and inclusion. Any teacher or parent wanting to read this book with children should be aware of the misrepresentations that this book could be seen to advocate.
Louis is the new boy at the unnamed female narrator’s school. She describes with curiosity how Louis is ‘not quite like the rest of us’, commenting on his frequent repetition of other people’s words and his lack of social interaction with other students in the playground. As the story progresses, the narrator and her peers begin to form a connection with Louis through a game of football and the book ends with a positive image of him playing outside with a fellow member of his class.
As someone who has experience working with students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and specifically ASD, I found it refreshing to discover a text aimed at introducing to children the issue of ASD and acceptance of those with the condition. Having said this, there were parts of the story that I felt could provide barriers to the kind of acceptance of SEN that Ely was clearly trying to advocate. There is a recurring use of the word ‘us’ to describe the children in the class, a collective noun which Louis is then excluded from, as seen in the previous ‘not quite like the rest of us’ description. Putting Louis in this oppositional linguistic position throughout the book may only add to the sense that his differences keep him separate from the collective identity of his class. Even by the end of the book, Louis has not been accepted as one of ‘us’; as he plays outside during lesson time the narrator concludes that ‘we’re allowed to break rules for special people.’ This line supports a positive message that treating people equally doesn't always mean treating them the same but it also serves to reiterate the notion of Louis as ‘other’ rather than someone who participates in the norms and values of the class.
The main aspect of Looking after Louis that I find problematic, is the fact that it is never specified that Louis has ASD, only that he is ‘different.’ Adult readers may ascertain fairly quickly that this is the case, especially as the last page provides an adult-level explanation of ASD in the context of mainstream inclusion. However, young readers will be unaware of what truly makes Louis ‘different.’ This lack of clarity could be seen to imply that open and honest discussion of disability and SEN is not something that children are capable of or should be engaging in, which I would strongly disagree with.
Overall, I think that there would be some value in reading Looking after Louis with primary age children, as it could be used as a discussion tool for disability and inclusion. Any teacher or parent wanting to read this book with children should be aware of the misrepresentations that this book could be seen to advocate.
September 3, 2013
I am SO glad I picked this book off the shelf. As soon as I began reading, I realized Louis demonstrated symptoms of Autism. What an amazing idea to put a character like Louis into a children's book; people of all ages are entered into a world of fear and confusion, and they leave the world accepting and understanding. The author showed exactly that: the students made fun of Louis at first, but by the end of the story, they were able to join his world. I would recommend this book to children and adults all around!
April 26, 2014
Looking After Louis is a story about an autistic boy and how his classmates learn to include him in their game of football. This book is mostly aimed at KS1 and introduces children to the issue of autism, this would be particularly useful to help children understand the condition if there was an autistic child in their class. Although it doesn't cover the topic of autism in any great detail it would be a good way to introduce the topic, it would also be useful to introduce the general topic of inclusion.
March 28, 2014
The Plot:
A story telling the tale of a new boy at school, Louis, who is noticeably ‘different’ from others. The authors describe how Louis sits and stares, sometimes his classmates do not know what he is thinking, how he speaks out of turn, to which the class at times find amusing and the teachers do not get cross over and how he repeats a lot of things when spoken to or on being asked a question. The story portrays classroom and friendship dynamics and how some classmates become annoyed with Louis when he gets in the way of their games. Additionally it portrays how there is one girl who constantly tries to include and play/interact with Louis. Another boy Sam also gets involved and plays a game of ‘soccer’ with Louis, encouraging him throughout saying ‘great game’ to which Louis is said to respond with a smile. By the end of the book Louis completes a drawing and the teacher, Louis’s helper and the two classmates admire it and discuss this. Louis’s teacher then lets Sam and Louis go outside to play another game of soccer, to which the little girl then questions the teacher as to why no –one else is allowed, with her coming to the conclusion that she guesses its ok for the rules to be broken at times for ‘special people’.
Age range: EYFS +
Positives/ dislikes about this book:
It is a nice story of inclusion.
I like how the authors include some characteristics of autism within this book without explicitly saying this was why Louis was different. I feel children may be able to relate to this, in terms of if they have children with similar condition(s) in their class or indeed elsewhere in the school. I like how the book discusses the perspectives of other children within the class, and how they feel if they or anyone else did some of the same things they would get into trouble and how they perceive sometimes ‘special people’ get different treatment at school (but are understanding of this), and acknowledge the presence of additional adults who support. The book is set in a different country as shown by its use of words like: ‘ soccer’; ‘recess’ etc – such words may be unfamiliar so with younger children this would need explaining.
How would this book be used in a classroom setting?
This book could be used in a class that has children with needs, to settle any other children’s queries about being treated differently and indeed to enable them to gain greater understanding and accepting of people’s differences. It could therefore be read in younger years during carpet time, perhaps leading on to discussions about how everyone is different and how we should be supportive of people’s differences and encourage eachother. Likewise it could be used in PSHE lessons in older years.
A story telling the tale of a new boy at school, Louis, who is noticeably ‘different’ from others. The authors describe how Louis sits and stares, sometimes his classmates do not know what he is thinking, how he speaks out of turn, to which the class at times find amusing and the teachers do not get cross over and how he repeats a lot of things when spoken to or on being asked a question. The story portrays classroom and friendship dynamics and how some classmates become annoyed with Louis when he gets in the way of their games. Additionally it portrays how there is one girl who constantly tries to include and play/interact with Louis. Another boy Sam also gets involved and plays a game of ‘soccer’ with Louis, encouraging him throughout saying ‘great game’ to which Louis is said to respond with a smile. By the end of the book Louis completes a drawing and the teacher, Louis’s helper and the two classmates admire it and discuss this. Louis’s teacher then lets Sam and Louis go outside to play another game of soccer, to which the little girl then questions the teacher as to why no –one else is allowed, with her coming to the conclusion that she guesses its ok for the rules to be broken at times for ‘special people’.
Age range: EYFS +
Positives/ dislikes about this book:
It is a nice story of inclusion.
I like how the authors include some characteristics of autism within this book without explicitly saying this was why Louis was different. I feel children may be able to relate to this, in terms of if they have children with similar condition(s) in their class or indeed elsewhere in the school. I like how the book discusses the perspectives of other children within the class, and how they feel if they or anyone else did some of the same things they would get into trouble and how they perceive sometimes ‘special people’ get different treatment at school (but are understanding of this), and acknowledge the presence of additional adults who support. The book is set in a different country as shown by its use of words like: ‘ soccer’; ‘recess’ etc – such words may be unfamiliar so with younger children this would need explaining.
How would this book be used in a classroom setting?
This book could be used in a class that has children with needs, to settle any other children’s queries about being treated differently and indeed to enable them to gain greater understanding and accepting of people’s differences. It could therefore be read in younger years during carpet time, perhaps leading on to discussions about how everyone is different and how we should be supportive of people’s differences and encourage eachother. Likewise it could be used in PSHE lessons in older years.
September 20, 2015
Looking after Louis by Leslie Ely
When a new boy called Louis joins Miss Owlie’s classroom, the other children instantly become aware of his difference. It suggests that Louis has Autism, as he doesn’t talk to the other students, tends to repeat what they say and doesn’t play with anyone at break time. A girl who sits next to Louis in class tries to befriend him and suggests new things to try and play with but is unable to build a bond with Louis.
However, during one break time, Louis stumbles across a football which leads to him almost smiling. The students finally feel that they have made a break through and made a connection with him. When they notice Louis drawing a picture of the football in class, Miss Owlie decides to let him play football outside during class time. At first the young girl (narrator) deems it as unfair because she wouldn’t be allowed to skip class, but Miss Owlie helps her to come to the understanding that rules can be broken for special people because it helps them feel special, too.
This book is useful for class room reading and would be appropriate for KS1 children, to talk about the inclusion of other children. It can help them understand why particular children receive special treatment and can get away with certain behaviour sometimes, without being punished. This book also does a great job in demonstrating to children on ways to help peers who have special educational needs by being friendly and helpful like the narrator of the story as well as the other classroom peers. I would use this book to teach children to learn to accept differences as well as appreciate differences.
In terms of the illustration, it was worth noting how the illustrator differentiates Louis’s eyes from the rest of the other characters’ eyes. This is to most probably highlight their differences and make it easier for the reader to see his difference from everybody else.
A limitation with this book would be that the author never defines and names Louis’s condition, which can suggest a few things. Firstly, it may hint that children would refuse to accept a class mate that has a disability compared to a classmate that is just different. If the difference is not defined for them, how will they be able to respect it? Also, it suggests that disability is something that should not be talked about openly in the classroom, as well as learning about.
Despite the limitation, this book is worth having in the classroom due to the overall message it sends to readers in demonstrating respect, tolerance and understanding towards their peers that have special educational needs.
When a new boy called Louis joins Miss Owlie’s classroom, the other children instantly become aware of his difference. It suggests that Louis has Autism, as he doesn’t talk to the other students, tends to repeat what they say and doesn’t play with anyone at break time. A girl who sits next to Louis in class tries to befriend him and suggests new things to try and play with but is unable to build a bond with Louis.
However, during one break time, Louis stumbles across a football which leads to him almost smiling. The students finally feel that they have made a break through and made a connection with him. When they notice Louis drawing a picture of the football in class, Miss Owlie decides to let him play football outside during class time. At first the young girl (narrator) deems it as unfair because she wouldn’t be allowed to skip class, but Miss Owlie helps her to come to the understanding that rules can be broken for special people because it helps them feel special, too.
This book is useful for class room reading and would be appropriate for KS1 children, to talk about the inclusion of other children. It can help them understand why particular children receive special treatment and can get away with certain behaviour sometimes, without being punished. This book also does a great job in demonstrating to children on ways to help peers who have special educational needs by being friendly and helpful like the narrator of the story as well as the other classroom peers. I would use this book to teach children to learn to accept differences as well as appreciate differences.
In terms of the illustration, it was worth noting how the illustrator differentiates Louis’s eyes from the rest of the other characters’ eyes. This is to most probably highlight their differences and make it easier for the reader to see his difference from everybody else.
A limitation with this book would be that the author never defines and names Louis’s condition, which can suggest a few things. Firstly, it may hint that children would refuse to accept a class mate that has a disability compared to a classmate that is just different. If the difference is not defined for them, how will they be able to respect it? Also, it suggests that disability is something that should not be talked about openly in the classroom, as well as learning about.
Despite the limitation, this book is worth having in the classroom due to the overall message it sends to readers in demonstrating respect, tolerance and understanding towards their peers that have special educational needs.
July 30, 2014
The back of this book says, "Louis has autism, but through imagination, kindness, and a special game of soccer, his classmates find a way to join him in his world. Then they can include Louis in theirs."
As the parent of a high-functioning Autistic child, I don't think this book gave any insight into Autism. The spectrum is so large and I'm guessing by the way this child doesn't talk to others and can't draw a recognizable picture that he must have a severe case of it. If you're reading this book to a child, they would have no idea what's wrong with Louis.
Louis has Autism but is mainstreamed into a regular class where a student was assigned to "look after him". At recess, Louis "runs in and out of the boys' soccer game with his arms out like a ballet dancer" and the other boys are mad.
One day, Sam brought a new soccer ball to school and asked Louis if he wanted to play. Louis would follow Sam and if Louis's foot touched the ball, Sam would yell, "Great game, Louis!"
That afternoon, Louis drew a picture that looked like it was about the soccer game. Sam asked if he and Louis could go outside and play soccer and the teacher said yes. But everyone else had to stay inside. The student who watched over Louis told her teacher they were lucky ducks. The teacher asked what she thought about it and she replied, "I think we're allowed to break rules for special people."
As the parent of a high-functioning Autistic child, I don't think this book gave any insight into Autism. The spectrum is so large and I'm guessing by the way this child doesn't talk to others and can't draw a recognizable picture that he must have a severe case of it. If you're reading this book to a child, they would have no idea what's wrong with Louis.
Louis has Autism but is mainstreamed into a regular class where a student was assigned to "look after him". At recess, Louis "runs in and out of the boys' soccer game with his arms out like a ballet dancer" and the other boys are mad.
One day, Sam brought a new soccer ball to school and asked Louis if he wanted to play. Louis would follow Sam and if Louis's foot touched the ball, Sam would yell, "Great game, Louis!"
That afternoon, Louis drew a picture that looked like it was about the soccer game. Sam asked if he and Louis could go outside and play soccer and the teacher said yes. But everyone else had to stay inside. The student who watched over Louis told her teacher they were lucky ducks. The teacher asked what she thought about it and she replied, "I think we're allowed to break rules for special people."
October 4, 2010
Besides my wish that the book would have been slightly more direct in why Louis acted the way he acted the book is great. Illustrations are fine, the story is on point, etc. I liked how the whole book was all great - the kids at first had no idea how to handle Louis who is autistic. One girl goes out of her way repeatedly but others direct anger at him when he gets in their way during a soccer game. It's insinuated that those same kids come to learn more about Louis because they end up inviting him to a game and making him feel pretty special.
I think a more direct approach on why Louis talked and acted the way he did would have been better because my daughter, who has a very limited knowledge of autism, didn't pick it up at first. She though Louis was joking around. I let her think that and kept reading, going for more impact and it worked and she realized it just fine. But I do think it would have been a lot more helpful and made the story better.
If anyone knows of any other books like this I'd love to get recommendations. Whether it's targeting autism, anything "different", is what I'd like to expose Julia to more than I have so far.
I think a more direct approach on why Louis talked and acted the way he did would have been better because my daughter, who has a very limited knowledge of autism, didn't pick it up at first. She though Louis was joking around. I let her think that and kept reading, going for more impact and it worked and she realized it just fine. But I do think it would have been a lot more helpful and made the story better.
If anyone knows of any other books like this I'd love to get recommendations. Whether it's targeting autism, anything "different", is what I'd like to expose Julia to more than I have so far.
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May 17, 2015Louis is different, what we now call 'special' or 'with special needs'. He's autistic and the little girl who sits next to him at school, tries to help him. Sometimes though, it doesn't seem fair. She looks after Louis and Louis is allowed to play football with Sam in lesson time. Why does Miss Owlie let Sam and Louis go into the playground in lesson time? She confronts Miss Owlie. And the teacher gently confronts her. ''What do you think about it?'And she looks at her 'as if she expected my answer to be very wise.' And the little girl is wise. She whispers, 'I think we're allowed to break the rules for special people.' Right!
This moving but unsentimental story recognises the difficulties of inclusion in the classroom, but also celebrates the benefits that come to those who care and those who are cared for in the school community. All the characters are drawn from life in this upbeat treatment of a serious topic. This is an entertaining story, illustrated as if by the children themselves, by Polly Dunbar. The stunning result is a book that should be in every primary school classroom.
This moving but unsentimental story recognises the difficulties of inclusion in the classroom, but also celebrates the benefits that come to those who care and those who are cared for in the school community. All the characters are drawn from life in this upbeat treatment of a serious topic. This is an entertaining story, illustrated as if by the children themselves, by Polly Dunbar. The stunning result is a book that should be in every primary school classroom.
September 26, 2015
This book got me right in the heart.
When I first started as a Special Education Assistant, I worked one-on-one with a boy very, very similar to Louis. He also used echolation and loved making art. More importantly, like all the special kids I worked closely with, he really loved the attention and approval of his peers. It can be hard to tell when a kid with severe autism feels happy and proud unless you know them well, but feeling like a part of things with other kids will really make it happen. This book captures that in a true and simple way.
I've looked at some of the other reviews, and those that didn't like the book seem to object to the fact that Louis's autism isn't specifically named. I don't think that matters at all. I think adults need labels more than kids do, and the lessons this book teaches children are not dependent on a particular diagnosis. What matters to the kids is not that he's Autistic; it matters that he's Louis.
When I first started as a Special Education Assistant, I worked one-on-one with a boy very, very similar to Louis. He also used echolation and loved making art. More importantly, like all the special kids I worked closely with, he really loved the attention and approval of his peers. It can be hard to tell when a kid with severe autism feels happy and proud unless you know them well, but feeling like a part of things with other kids will really make it happen. This book captures that in a true and simple way.
I've looked at some of the other reviews, and those that didn't like the book seem to object to the fact that Louis's autism isn't specifically named. I don't think that matters at all. I think adults need labels more than kids do, and the lessons this book teaches children are not dependent on a particular diagnosis. What matters to the kids is not that he's Autistic; it matters that he's Louis.
June 28, 2012
This is a fantastic picture book to use when a child with autism is included in your classroom. It goes through a day in a classroom with Louis, a child who has autism. The girl that sits next to him tells the story from her point of view. It depicts positive friendships and what should be common classroom traits that come along with inclusion, such as an aide in the room and a teacher that is flexible and understanding. The book portrays a tolerant attitude towards all of the children and promotes empathy, respect, and understanding for all individuals in the regular classroom setting. The pictures are bright and colorful. They add to the story by depicting the action in the text in a manner that is pleasing and interactive.
March 19, 2014
This book is about an autistic child called Louis who catches the eye of another child named Emma as she notices that he is different. It follows her journey in establishing a level of understanding and endearment for Louis and how she can help him to feel more apart of the class.
This book is great for explaining to young children how autism can affect behavior and promoting tolerance and understanding of others.I would recommend this book for use within a Reception or KS1 class as it is great for promoting tolerance for children, especially as autism is most likely a condition that children will come into contact with within their classroom.
This book is great for explaining to young children how autism can affect behavior and promoting tolerance and understanding of others.I would recommend this book for use within a Reception or KS1 class as it is great for promoting tolerance for children, especially as autism is most likely a condition that children will come into contact with within their classroom.
July 26, 2008
Looking After Louis is a story about a young boy with Autism who joins a class of young children. The story is told through the eyes of Louis' classmate. At first she thinks Louis is odd because he repeats what other people say and doesn't play with the other kids at recess. Over time, however, she gets to know Louis and she finds out that Louis likes to play ball with the other students and shows them all in a picture he drew. Louis even got to go outside and play soccer with his friends after the picture showed that he wanted to play.
November 6, 2011
Looking After Louis tells the story of Louis, an autistic boy, who is embraced by his classmates. Everyone in class knows that Louis is special, so they look after him and take care to include him in their games. One day, Sam invites Louis to play soccer with him, and Louis has the time of his life. This book is written for grades 1-4, and would be great for a unit on friendship or inclusion. It could also be used by students in older grades to study autism.
November 3, 2015
This is about a boy name Louis who has Autism. It explains how Louis speaks but does not say complete sentences. The little girl notices how Louis does not get in trouble for different things that she would get in trouble for.By the end of the book she is a little upset because he is getting special treatment. Her teacher teaches her that some people get to break the rules. The little girl becomes understanding of Louis and accepts him for who he is.
April 23, 2012
Another great book for introducing a class to people with special needs. I really enjoy how the setting takes place in a classroom becuase it gives students something that they are able to relate to and shows how some children may have differnt characteristics and get speical "treatment" becuase of that.
March 15, 2013
Although Louis, a boy with autism, is taught in a regular classroom, his lack of speaking and his different reactions to the other kids and the other activitities such as soccer over recess shows that in some ways he is clearly different. The teachers' encouraging and tolerant appproach to him and the many ways the other kids find to communicate with him, shows how well this can work.
April 23, 2013
This is a great book to introduce to students especially since inclusion in the classroom is becoming more and more popular. This teaches students that not all students learn the same or attend school in the normal way. It was a fun book that helps teachers explain students with disabilities in their classrooms.
January 30, 2012
A great book to use when discussing that fair is not always equal, which many students struggle to understand. Older students would be more insightful to see what is actually going on. Younger students would need more discussion while someone was reading it to or with them.
January 26, 2012
Beautiful pictures, great book about a student with a disability and how the other students struggle to know how to interact with Louis. Great book about differences, students can relate and parents will treasure it. Will be buying this book for my classroom.
April 21, 2013
This is a book about a new student that is a little bit different than the rest of the class. It shows that just because a classmate has autism doesn't mean they can't be included.
July 16, 2013
A book about mainstreaming a child (Louis) with autism. His classmates sometimes tease him but the girl who sits next to him begins to understand more about him as she looks out for him at school.
September 14, 2013
I liked this book because it explains to children that everyone is different and that they should be celebrated for what they can do well. I would use this reading aloud to grade 3 and up.
June 2, 2015
With so many children with special needs being fully included in mainstream classrooms, books like this are important.
March 10, 2016
my kid is captivated by this story. it is really sweet and cute and give a good springboard for discussing how different people's brains work differently.
April 21, 2022
"Looking After Louis" is about a new boy at school who has autism. One of the students in the book is considered to be looking after Louis, and she tries to include him in multiple activities. The author in the book describes Louis as someone who often speaks out of turn and will just sit and stare. When Louis would speak out of turn the students would notice that the teacher wouldn't get mad at Louis but they said if it was the other way around the other students would get in trouble. Eventually a student named Sam starts playing a game of soccer with Louis and this get Louis to show a little smile and after Louis went to draw their soccer game and kept repeating "great game". Sam then asks the teacher if him and Louis could go outside and play soccer again. The teacher lets just Sam and Louis go out and play soccer and the other student who was supposed to be looking out for Louis asks why know one else is allowed to go outside. The girl realizes that it is okay for rules to be broken for "special" people and the girl being able to watch with the teacher made her feel special as well. I thought this book was ok, I feel like it could have had more mentioning of autism, so it could help younger students better understand, but I liked how the different treatment of the students was recognized in the book, and how at the end of the day they all came together and could be supportive. I thought the illustrations were unique in a sense with the different types of dialogue incorporated coming from Louis and that the colors were very subtle and not to bright or overpowering.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2021
Looking After Louis is told from the perspective of a girl who is a classmate of Louis, a boy with autism in an inclusive classroom. At recess, Louis begins talking to a couple of boys who are passing a soccer ball around. Louis is unable to do much with the ball, but when the ball makes contact with Louis's foot, one of the boys congratulate him. When the students come into class from recess, the teacher allows Louis and the boys to go back outside and play with the soccer ball. The girl narrating the story becomes frustrated with the teacher, but she learns to be accommodating, encouraging, and understanding of Louis, and students similar to him.
Dunbar illustrates this lesson in tolerance with sketchy scenes rendered in a childlike, cartoon style; in his bright red pullover, Louis is an easily spotted figure among the other, actively posed children.
This was a great read overall. This story has a wonderful feel to it. It clearly touches on a difficult area to understand for children, but it deals with the subject of autism in a sensitive and understanding way, without losing its quality as a story. All the children in the story are well observed and I think it will appeal to an age group who are actually very interested in the differences between individuals, and are happiest when they are involved and doing something.
Dunbar illustrates this lesson in tolerance with sketchy scenes rendered in a childlike, cartoon style; in his bright red pullover, Louis is an easily spotted figure among the other, actively posed children.
This was a great read overall. This story has a wonderful feel to it. It clearly touches on a difficult area to understand for children, but it deals with the subject of autism in a sensitive and understanding way, without losing its quality as a story. All the children in the story are well observed and I think it will appeal to an age group who are actually very interested in the differences between individuals, and are happiest when they are involved and doing something.
September 13, 2018
Louis is new in class, and a little different form everyone else. He does not continue conversations, but repeats what you say. You learn at the end of the book that Louis has Autism. You see through one of his peer's eyes of a day in school for Louis. You watch him attempt to play with the other kids, try to show what he is thinking, and even what happens when he makes a friend.
This is literally the sweetest book. I love how the book is very nonjudgemental on disabilities and shows that is difficult sometimes to accept those who are different and even when somebody needs special attention to help them through their day. Though there are a few things I would change about some of their approaches, it is a great conversation starter.
I would use this in class to show my students the importance of accepting others as their our. It is a great life lesson to show that their will be students in their classes, and even one in their as we read this book, who are different than them. It may not be a disability but maybe one who does not speak the same language or one who acts differently due to their background. I would have my students discuss times of when they encountered someone different from them and what did they do.
This is literally the sweetest book. I love how the book is very nonjudgemental on disabilities and shows that is difficult sometimes to accept those who are different and even when somebody needs special attention to help them through their day. Though there are a few things I would change about some of their approaches, it is a great conversation starter.
I would use this in class to show my students the importance of accepting others as their our. It is a great life lesson to show that their will be students in their classes, and even one in their as we read this book, who are different than them. It may not be a disability but maybe one who does not speak the same language or one who acts differently due to their background. I would have my students discuss times of when they encountered someone different from them and what did they do.
March 27, 2020
Louis is a child who has autism, and he is different than other children. He even acts different than other children, he likes to draw and use all different colors, he repeats what other children say or also repeats the teacher talk, Louis watches everything and might talk in the wrong place sometime. Still, he does not get in trouble, which makes other children wonder about that. Louise loves to play soccer, and he made new friends in the end; other children were comparing themselves to Louis, and it ended in a friendly way, saying it's okay to break the rules sometimes for special people.
I would recommend Looking After Louis to teachers and parents who have an autistic child. I would also recommend it to be read in all classrooms with regular children so they become more aware of Autistic children, how they are different and how we can deal with them and take care of them. This book provides excellent examples of some specific behaviors that autistic children do, like repeating words and talking after others and being involved or like to play with other children. This book is excellent for class use. The illustrations of the book are very attractive, visually appealing, and engaging to children.
I would recommend Looking After Louis to teachers and parents who have an autistic child. I would also recommend it to be read in all classrooms with regular children so they become more aware of Autistic children, how they are different and how we can deal with them and take care of them. This book provides excellent examples of some specific behaviors that autistic children do, like repeating words and talking after others and being involved or like to play with other children. This book is excellent for class use. The illustrations of the book are very attractive, visually appealing, and engaging to children.
November 1, 2017
Looking After Louis is a story about a boy with Autism. Although the story never states that he has Autism, the signs and symptoms are shown through the dialogue of the story. I love how the story shows that classroom as an inclusion class. The story shows many scenarios that happen between Louis and his classmates and although Louis is Autistic, it shows how the students help Louis out and include him in their games. Rather than having Louis teacher helper guide Louis, the students take action and help Louis. The illustrations have a lot going on on each page, but it does a great job of following the story. Right away readers can see who Louis is because he is drawn a bit different, but similar to the other students so he does not stick out too much. I think this is a great book that depicts Autism.
November 4, 2021
This book is told from the point of view of a little girl who sits next to a boy named Louis in school. Louis has autism. The girl who sits next to Louis notices that he is a bit different and starts to wonder how she can connect with Louis. They eventually connect through the game of soccer and Louis becomes inclusive in his classroom and with his class mates. I love this book because it shows the transparency of how kids may feel dealing with a child who is a bit different than them. It also shows the true innocence of children and how sweet and kind hearted they truly are. I would recommend this book a thousand times to anyone who has a child in school with an autistic child in their classroom. It’s perfect for teaching them how to be inclusive of their peers!
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