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Jasper and the Magpie: Enjoying Special Interests Together
Jasper really likes shiny metals… He loves that when the sun shines
Electrons dance reflecting light.
This makes him feel safe and calm,
And helps him sleep at night. This fun and thought-provoking rhyming storybook will delight anyone with a special interest and encourage readers to be more accepting of difference and unusual passions. The story will resonate particularly with children on the autism spectrum and their friends and family. For ages 6 and upwards.
Electrons dance reflecting light.
This makes him feel safe and calm,
And helps him sleep at night. This fun and thought-provoking rhyming storybook will delight anyone with a special interest and encourage readers to be more accepting of difference and unusual passions. The story will resonate particularly with children on the autism spectrum and their friends and family. For ages 6 and upwards.
- GenresPicture BooksChildrens
36 pages, Hardcover
First published November 21, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 27, 2015
Review 10. Jasper and the Magpie by Dan Mayfield and illustrated by Alex Merry Four stars
Jasper is a young boy with a special interest in shiny metals. He really has an interest in shiny metals. Jasper’s mind works a little differently to other people, he has problems understanding other points of view but then again other people seem to have trouble understanding his way of thinking too. As Jasper’s birthday arrives, his family gather around him and try to give him what he wants, more shiny things and some interest in his collection too.
This book is primarily about accepting other children with autism, it is a short picture book designed for children 6 and over. This would be a great book to have in any class room to be discovered or given out discretely as part of a strategy for increasing acceptance and understanding of autistic children. As it’s written as a rhyme, it does stretch things a little bit, I don’t think you can rhyme tea with peas or a few other examples that nearly rhyme but actually don’t. I really enjoyed the art work.
Jasper is a young boy with a special interest in shiny metals. He really has an interest in shiny metals. Jasper’s mind works a little differently to other people, he has problems understanding other points of view but then again other people seem to have trouble understanding his way of thinking too. As Jasper’s birthday arrives, his family gather around him and try to give him what he wants, more shiny things and some interest in his collection too.
This book is primarily about accepting other children with autism, it is a short picture book designed for children 6 and over. This would be a great book to have in any class room to be discovered or given out discretely as part of a strategy for increasing acceptance and understanding of autistic children. As it’s written as a rhyme, it does stretch things a little bit, I don’t think you can rhyme tea with peas or a few other examples that nearly rhyme but actually don’t. I really enjoyed the art work.
November 17, 2014
I received a free digital ARC via NetGalley to review.
Jasper likes to collect shiny things. Sometimes he struggles with understanding other people, but sometimes people struggle with understanding him, too. Jasper gets upset when he thinks his parents want to get rid of his collection.
Jasper and the Magpie: Enjoying Special Interests Together focuses mainly on accepting and embracing children and their passions to become better family and friends. It never explicitly states that Jasper is autistic, so it works for all children who are just a little different (and no, different doesn't mean "not normal!") from other children or even from their parents. I think every parent and child should read this book because it may help them see their children in a new light - as individuals rather than simply a "mini-me." I'm nearly 21 and I think even my parents should read this book.
This is such a beautiful tale about happiness and acceptance that it was easy to look past the occasionally slanted-too-far rhyme scheme. I genuinely hope that the actual physical copy of the book has texture samples because I really wanted to touch the shiny things (I'm a bit like Jasper in that shiny things capture my attention).
Jasper likes to collect shiny things. Sometimes he struggles with understanding other people, but sometimes people struggle with understanding him, too. Jasper gets upset when he thinks his parents want to get rid of his collection.
Jasper and the Magpie: Enjoying Special Interests Together focuses mainly on accepting and embracing children and their passions to become better family and friends. It never explicitly states that Jasper is autistic, so it works for all children who are just a little different (and no, different doesn't mean "not normal!") from other children or even from their parents. I think every parent and child should read this book because it may help them see their children in a new light - as individuals rather than simply a "mini-me." I'm nearly 21 and I think even my parents should read this book.
This is such a beautiful tale about happiness and acceptance that it was easy to look past the occasionally slanted-too-far rhyme scheme. I genuinely hope that the actual physical copy of the book has texture samples because I really wanted to touch the shiny things (I'm a bit like Jasper in that shiny things capture my attention).
November 23, 2014
'Jasper and the Magpie: Enjoying Special Interests Together' is a storybook written for those along the autism spectrum and their caregivers. When I read the synopsis, I had to check the book out, and I'm glad I did.
Jasper is a young man with an interest in shiny metals. He collects them a bit obsessively, even taking them out of the garbage. When his family tries to take them away and substitute them for other things, Jasper can't understand and can't explain well why he is upset. His parents love Jasper and figure out a way to make his love of shiny objects work for everyone in the family.
This was a good book to read. I think it would be helpful for siblings and relatives of a young person like Jasper. It doesn't demean anyone and shows how thinking a little differently is a good approach and shows love and grace to all involved. The pictures by Alex Merry work well with the story. I loved the pages with the 60 elephants that Jasper counted as he waited for a minute.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Jessica Kingsley Publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
Jasper is a young man with an interest in shiny metals. He collects them a bit obsessively, even taking them out of the garbage. When his family tries to take them away and substitute them for other things, Jasper can't understand and can't explain well why he is upset. His parents love Jasper and figure out a way to make his love of shiny objects work for everyone in the family.
This was a good book to read. I think it would be helpful for siblings and relatives of a young person like Jasper. It doesn't demean anyone and shows how thinking a little differently is a good approach and shows love and grace to all involved. The pictures by Alex Merry work well with the story. I loved the pages with the 60 elephants that Jasper counted as he waited for a minute.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Jessica Kingsley Publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
November 21, 2014
This special book helps family and friends get a deeper insight into the uniqueness of those on the spectrum. It is a story of accepting and embracing the unconventional interests of others and giving them your blessings.
Jasper is a little boy who likes to collect shiny things. He seems obsessed with it from his mom and dad's perspective. Luckily both his grandmas support him wholeheartedly and when his birthday arrives his parents have a change of mind. They decide instead of worrying about Jasper's idiosyncrasies, that perhaps Jasper may be odd or weird, they accept his love of shiny things and package up the perfect birthday gift to give to him ... guaranteed to put a huge smile on his face. Jasper not only is the recipient of an amazing material gift from his family but an even greater gift ... a gift from their heart. They bestow unconditional love to their special little boy by working with his "shiny" interests thus enriching the whole family and bringing them closer together.
The illustrations and the story are both delightful and the message very important. Both parents and children will love to share this book together.
Jasper is a little boy who likes to collect shiny things. He seems obsessed with it from his mom and dad's perspective. Luckily both his grandmas support him wholeheartedly and when his birthday arrives his parents have a change of mind. They decide instead of worrying about Jasper's idiosyncrasies, that perhaps Jasper may be odd or weird, they accept his love of shiny things and package up the perfect birthday gift to give to him ... guaranteed to put a huge smile on his face. Jasper not only is the recipient of an amazing material gift from his family but an even greater gift ... a gift from their heart. They bestow unconditional love to their special little boy by working with his "shiny" interests thus enriching the whole family and bringing them closer together.
The illustrations and the story are both delightful and the message very important. Both parents and children will love to share this book together.
April 8, 2016
Dolly Gray Children's Literature Award nominee
Jasper is fascinated with shiny things. He loves anything that shines or sparkles—even the electrons in the air that reflect the sunlight. They make him calm and happy. He collects anything he finds with a reflective surface and stores it away for safekeeping, just like a magpie. He thinks they are beautiful. His family doesn't understand. They see his treasures as dirty, as a problem, something that makes Jasper different. Jasper and his family must work together to discover the beauty of his unique perspective and interests. In the end they will all learn that one man's trash is another magpie's treasure.
This book in rhyme is a delightful read for children on and off the autism spectrum. The illustrations by Adam Merry highlight the beauty of Jasper's treasures and the color and feel of his thoughts. The book is themed mostly in blue, black, white, and silver, which gives it a unique look. Jasper’s struggle to understand other people and be understood by those he loves is compelling and leads to a beautiful resolution at the end.
Jasper is fascinated with shiny things. He loves anything that shines or sparkles—even the electrons in the air that reflect the sunlight. They make him calm and happy. He collects anything he finds with a reflective surface and stores it away for safekeeping, just like a magpie. He thinks they are beautiful. His family doesn't understand. They see his treasures as dirty, as a problem, something that makes Jasper different. Jasper and his family must work together to discover the beauty of his unique perspective and interests. In the end they will all learn that one man's trash is another magpie's treasure.
This book in rhyme is a delightful read for children on and off the autism spectrum. The illustrations by Adam Merry highlight the beauty of Jasper's treasures and the color and feel of his thoughts. The book is themed mostly in blue, black, white, and silver, which gives it a unique look. Jasper’s struggle to understand other people and be understood by those he loves is compelling and leads to a beautiful resolution at the end.
November 16, 2014
This is a story, told in rhyme
Of a boy called Jasper who all the time
Searches and collects things metal and shiny
Some are big, others are tiny
He doesn’t care if they’re dirty or clean
He doesn’t worry where they might have been
His parents worry and try to change his way
Until he has a special birthday
His presents and gifts now celebrate
His interests in shiny things to date
They find a way to work together so
His interest is shared - a great way to go
This book is fantastic and will help others to know
That interests can be shared too as you grow
And working with these interests together you’ll find
You’ll all develop a much better state of mind.
The illustrations are beautiful and dear
Helping make the text meaning even more clear
The story is fantastic and I hope that it will then
Help enjoy special interests together again.
Thanks to the author, publishers and NetGalley too
for letting me read this book in exchange for this, an honest review.
Of a boy called Jasper who all the time
Searches and collects things metal and shiny
Some are big, others are tiny
He doesn’t care if they’re dirty or clean
He doesn’t worry where they might have been
His parents worry and try to change his way
Until he has a special birthday
His presents and gifts now celebrate
His interests in shiny things to date
They find a way to work together so
His interest is shared - a great way to go
This book is fantastic and will help others to know
That interests can be shared too as you grow
And working with these interests together you’ll find
You’ll all develop a much better state of mind.
The illustrations are beautiful and dear
Helping make the text meaning even more clear
The story is fantastic and I hope that it will then
Help enjoy special interests together again.
Thanks to the author, publishers and NetGalley too
for letting me read this book in exchange for this, an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews