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Arabella Carter-Johnson
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Iris Grace Hardcover – 25 Feb. 2016

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 691 ratings
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'Ever since we came home with Thula, this precious magical kitten has cast a spell over Iris. They sit beside each other as Iris paints, and new doorways to communication have been opened, doors we had previously feared might be locked forever.'

Iris Grace is six years old and severely autistic. For the first few years of her life she barely communicated at all - she hardly ever looked up when her parents walked into a room, she rarely smiled or spoke. Her mother Arabella despaired - Iris seemed to be trapped in her own world, unreachable.

Then one day the family decided to get a cat, Thula, with whom Iris had an immediate affinity. She appeared to open up and communicate with Thula in a way that she hadn't done before. The little girl who seemed to be lost in her own world slowly blossomed. Iris is an extraordinarily gifted artist who sees the world in a profoundly vivid and visceral way, and with Thula by her side, she will sit and paint for hours.

This book isn't the story of a genius or child prodigy (although Iris is almost certainly both of those things), this is the story of how a remarkable bond between a cat and a child saved a family.

Beautifully written, readers will be spellbound by the story of Iris Grace and her devoted pet cat Thula.

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  1. Print length
    368 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Penguin
  4. Publication date
    25 Feb. 2016
  5. Dimensions
    18.59 x 3.43 x 23.44 cm
  6. ISBN-10
    1405923644
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1405923644
  8. See all details
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Product description

From the Inside Flap

Iris Grace is six years old and severely autistic. For the first few years of her life she barely communicated at all - she hardly ever looked up when her mother walked into a room, she rarely smiled or spoke. Her mother Arabella despaired - Iris seemed to be trapped in her own world, unreachable.
Then one day the family decided to get a cat, Thula, with whom Iris had an immediate affinity. Iris seemed to open up and communicate with Thula in a way that she hadn't done before. Arabella watched, amazed, as Iris gently told Thula it was bedtime or led her out into the garden to enjoy the sunshine. The little girl who seemed to be lost in her own world slowly blossomed. Iris grew in confidence and began to explore the world around her.

This bond with Thula isn't the only remarkable thing about Iris. She's also an extraordinarily gifted artist who sees the natural world in a profoundly vivid and visceral way. With Thula by her side, she'll sit and paint for hours, and her creations are incredible. But this book isn't the story of a genius or child prodigy (although Iris is almost certainly both of those things), this is the story of how a remarkable bond between a cat and a child saved a family.

Beautifully written, readers will be spellbound by the story of Iris Grace and her devoted pet cat Thula.

From the Back Cover

Ever since we came home with Thula, this precious magical kitten has cast a spell over Iris. They sit beside each other as Iris paints, and new doorways to communication have been opened, doors we had previoulsy feared might be locked forever.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin (25 Feb. 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 368 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1405923644
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1405923644
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 18.59 x 3.43 x 23.44 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 691 ratings

About the author

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Arabella Carter-Johnson

Arabella Carter-Johnson

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
691 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book inspiring and heartwarming. They praise the writing as wonderful and spellbinding. The book provides a great insight into autism and the relationship between a cat and an autistic child. Readers appreciate the beautiful photographs and the cat's role in helping the girl. Overall, it is a warm and open look at a young family.

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Inspirational contentPacingWritten contentInsight into autismPhotographyCat contentWarmthIris grace
60 customers mention ‘Inspirational content’60 positive0 negative

Customers find the book inspirational and engaging. They appreciate the insight into autism struggles and acceptance. Readers praise the parents' efforts to make Iris's world wonderful through home schooling, visiting musicians, and a social club. The book is described as charming and gently informative.

"...Iris's story is inspirational and I am so glad her mum and dad are sharing it with us...." Read more

"...was doing a wonderful job of looking after Iris and making her world a wonderful place...." Read more

"...story of love and hardship together with the determination to overcome the problems involved. Iris Grace is a child with Autism...." Read more

"...Her life has been enriched by home schooling, visiting musicians, a social club set up by her family so that Iris Grace has learnt to be more..." Read more

41 customers mention ‘Pacing’41 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's pacing. They find the parents and daughter inspiring. The way the mother interacts with her daughter is wonderful. The book is interesting for parents with child development issues, art enthusiasts, and autism enthusiasts. It provides empathy for the whole family.

"...turn was also helping her parents in her way, and so a strong bond has bound the family, including Thula, together, and I am sure that the strides..." Read more

"...using speech, to play with other children and to manage social situations admirably...." Read more

"The story of a wonderful little human being and astonishing parents which has moved me to the point where I will never quite be the same...." Read more

"...and (in my opinion) the most stunning artwork imaginable from a truly gifted child. I'd seen a breif programme on TV about this book / little..." Read more

35 customers mention ‘Written content’35 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's writing. They find it well-crafted with emotion and insight. The story is described as heartwarming and spellbinding.

"This book is a real gem,beautifully written and presented with wonderful pictures and charming illustrations...." Read more

"...The book is very well written and the photos so beautiful that I bought a second copy as a gift...." Read more

"A beautifully presented and well written book. Iris' paintings are stunning and really make the book...." Read more

"...Really well written & glorious photographs. Bought a copy for my sister...." Read more

15 customers mention ‘Insight into autism’15 positive0 negative

Customers find the book provides insights into autism. They appreciate the example of listening to an autistic child and the part a cat played in helping their daughter.

"...It is of course about dealing with autism, the work and the wonder, the pain and the pleasure...." Read more

"...has opened the door to a far more positive and yet realistic view of what autism means...." Read more

"...A warm and positive account of living with autism." Read more

"Gripping read! I couldn't put it down. A real insight into Autism. What wonderful parents; such heart warming love is fantastic to read !..." Read more

12 customers mention ‘Photography’12 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the photography in the book. They say it's well-written and they bought a copy for their sister.

"Very good book quality, nice pictures throughout the book. This book gives insight into​ the family life who has got a little girl with autism...." Read more

"...Really well written & glorious photographs. Bought a copy for my sister...." Read more

"...Very well written impressive book and lovely pictures, a very good pleasurable purchase." Read more

"...Extremely well written, with some excellent photography - best £12 I've spent in a long time." Read more

7 customers mention ‘Cat content’7 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the cat content. They find the pet cat magical and enriching, with an incredible relationship. The introduction of the cat is lovely, and it becomes a faithful furry friend to help the girl navigate life's challenges.

"...About discovering Iris on their journey and about a magical cat who enchants and enriches Iris's life...." Read more

"...an astounding little girl, her wonderful mum, an incredible relationship with her pet cat and (in my opinion) the most stunning artwork imaginable..." Read more

"...What a lucky little girl to have such a fabulous family and faithful furry friend to help her navigate life's challanges. A must read!..." Read more

"...begin to cope with every day life with amazing Thula by her side, amazing cat." Read more

5 customers mention ‘Warmth’5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's warmth. They find the bond between the cat and cold amazing.

"...A warm and positive account of living with autism." Read more

"This is so amazing , the bond between the cat and cold is great , but he efforts mum and dad go to just get a happy child is dedication , stuff..." Read more

"It is a warm and open look at a young family struggling to learn about autism and how to reach their young daughter who appeared to be caught in a..." Read more

"...with everything to get the help Iris needed and deserved was very warming, sometimes sad...." Read more

4 customers mention ‘Iris grace’4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book about Iris Grace. They find it an insightful look into the world of Iris and appreciate Arabella's caring for her.

"...they live in, and I thought that Arabella was doing a wonderful job of looking after Iris and making her world a wonderful place...." Read more

"Amazing book. Very inspirational! !!!! It is a fascinating insight into the world of Iris." Read more

"A great book about Iris Grace...." Read more

"Iris Grace...." Read more

Beautiful book…
5 out of 5 stars
Beautiful book…
Ok I haven’t read this yet. In fact I was in my local St Giles Hospice Bookshop today and saw this standing on top of the shelf. I took it off, the cover intrigued me. I glanced inside and read the inside flap for the description and found it was about an autistic girl and her bond with a cat. That caught my attention. A book about an autistic girl. So many books are always about autistic boys. So I flicked through it. The cover was aesthetically pleasing to touch as it is feels like art paper. It’s slightly worn being second hand but the whole book has a scrapbook feel to it with the illustration’s. I read bits here and there. I looked at it and thought if I don’t buy this it will be in my head when I get home and I won’t be able to get it out of my head and then will have to rush down here the next day to buy it cos that has happened to me before and when the book has been sold I get really upset and can’t rest until I get a copy. So I bought it. I’m autistic. Diagnosed late when I was 44. So my whole life I’ve been labelled awkward, anti social, introverted and just plain weird. Now I know why I’m different I can be myself instead of being what society expects. Despite not having read this book yet. I just know it’s special cos when I settled down to look at the books I acquired today I opened it up and on the front in the top right hand corner is my name. I was astounded and felt like it was left standing on that shelf just for me. I can’t wait to read it and it’s now top of the pile of books I’ve got stacked up on the end of my bed to read. I have over a 1000 books. So little space but I can’t stop buying them. This was meant for me though. Also it involves a cat and my beloved cat, Misty, is always in my heart and I miss her every day so I know how much you can bond with a cat.
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Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Steph
    5.0 out of 5 stars Recommended.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 March 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This book is a real gem,beautifully written and presented with wonderful pictures and charming illustrations. I first read a feature on Iris Grace and her family in a national magazine and was moved by their story and wanted to know more. I work with children and have come across a few with autism. I know the difficulties/traumatic times the families have to face. Iris's story is inspirational and I am so glad her mum and dad are sharing it with us.Themselves have an interesting background travelling and looking after horses...and then an angel akas cat comes into their lives!. I have really enjoyed reading this book and I wish this special family all the very best.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Squirreltz
    5.0 out of 5 stars Open, honest, humble, heartfelt story of an amazing child, her cat and frankly awesome parents.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 April 2016
    Verified Purchase
    You might choose this book for many reasons; perhaps you have an autistic child in your life, you adore cats, or the concept of therapy animals, or are looking for parenting inspiration, or you simply heard it was a good story.
    I am left felling both bereft (that this book has finished) and the greatest delight in my own children who whilst not autistic (one has ADHD as do I) for the things they can do easily that this family have worked so hard to achieve with their daughter.
    Her art is something else entirely; I found myself trying to refocus what my mind told me I was looking at (trees,water, a storm) and imagine what she had seen as she painted it - knowing my own Aspergic brother (total opposite end of spectrum to Iris) sees things on a totally different plane at times. I'm still sure I have missed the real beauty of her paintings, by being blind to her way of seeing the world.
    I have learned, laughed, sobbed and read this book far later in the night than I ought to. Arabella doesn't rose-tint the story, although we are spared her own hardship as we can read the hardest parts swiftly whilst she and her husband had to endure them. The love of your child keeps you going, but it doesn't make it any easier.
    I am humbled by the story she has so beautifully shared with us, with so many parallels I can see in my own parenting.
    I simply pray that this story reaches more of those, regular and professional alike, who simply don't understand the rightful needs of the ASD child, nor children in general it often seems.
    Thankyou for this book! I will find your website and Facebook x
    3 people found this helpful
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  • lindo
    5.0 out of 5 stars Iris Grace
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 March 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Having read a short piece about the book in a magazine, I was interested in reading the whole book. I found it to be a very inspiring book, and I was full of admiration for Iris Grace, and the way that her mother was trying hard to make the world an understandable place to be. I know that autistic children struggle to make a meaning of the world that they live in, and I thought that Arabella was doing a wonderful job of looking after Iris and making her world a wonderful place. A most important member of the family is Thula the cat, who arrived as a kitten and immediately formed a bond with Iris, and became a guide, companion, helper and most important of all a devoted friend to Iris, who in her turn became a devoted companion of Thula. The book is worth reading, whether the reader has knowledge of autistic children or not, as it is such a reassuring book. Iris in her turn was also helping her parents in her way, and so a strong bond has bound the family, including Thula, together, and I am sure that the strides made in this book will continue as Iris grows.
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  • David Catherall
    5.0 out of 5 stars A book to raise your child by.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 March 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This is a book which combines a very powerful story of love and hardship together with the determination to overcome the problems involved.

    Iris Grace is a child with Autism. The parents were initially devastated with the problems which such a condition brings, but approached the resolution with such an open attitude that it should be a guide for other parents and carers of people with the condition.

    The book is full of images of the paintings produced by the child together with photos of a remarkably beautiful child. Seeing the smiles and images of concentration on her face makes you smile, and wish there was something to be done about this condition. The parents viewed the condition not as a hindrance to life itself, but as an opportunity to open up life to their girl, and their girl to the world.
    Such a wonderful book, such a tale of determination and struggle, but also a book to inspire anyone with a complex condition such as Autism.
    I would recommend this book to any parent, whether or not their child suffers from the condition. It demonstrates quite clearly what a child is capable of, with or without AutismIris Grace.
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • J@YD944
    5.0 out of 5 stars Iris Grace
    Reviewed in the United States on 2 November 2024
    Verified Purchase
    A lovely true story about a young couple & their journey together as they get to know one another, get married, plan a family & discover that their beautiful young daughter has autism. It’s quite apparent that both are dedicated to do all they can possibly do to give Iris Grace unconditional love & every opportunity to succeed while just being herself. With her amazing & devoted cat, Thula, by her side as a source of comfort & joy, Iris continues to flourish & grow. Beautifully written!
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars I thoroughly enjoyed this story and learned a lot about the challenges ...
    Reviewed in Canada on 22 April 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I thoroughly enjoyed this story and learned a lot about the challenges parents face with a child on the spectrum (aka a child with autism). Iris Grace is an amazing young girl and so are her parents and her best friend, Thula, their maine coon tabby cat.
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  • Dina
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wow
    Reviewed in Italy on 21 January 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Uno dei più bei libri mai letti.
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  • Amazon Kunde
    5.0 out of 5 stars Remarquable, émouvant
    Reviewed in France on 11 November 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Vous ne sortirez pas indemne à la fin de ce magnifique ouvrage. Il vous ouvre les yeux sur un handicap décrit pas à pas par une mère dotée d'un amour infini pour sa fille autiste et dont l'investissement et le combat de tous les instants aura permis à son enfant de se révéler dès son plus jeune âge à travers un don surnaturel pour la peinture.
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  • Kathleen
    5.0 out of 5 stars Kaufempfehlung!
    Reviewed in Germany on 22 March 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Ich habe dieses Buch gekauft, weil ich mich im Rahmen meiner Ausbildung mit dem Thema Autismus näher bschäftigen möchte. Schon beim Auspacken war ich total begeistert vom Buch. Es ist so schön gemacht, der Umschlag, dir Zeichnungen und Fotos, einfach traumhaft. Da bekommt man richtig Lust es direkt zu lesen. Gesagt getan, ich habe direkt begonnen. Anfangs hatte ich Zweifel weil es ja auf Englisch geschrieben ist. Aber es ist sehr leicht geschrieben und selbst wenn man sich das ein oder andere Wort nicht übersetzen kann, ist der Zusammenhang zu verstehen. Und ich bin kein Englischprofi. Ich bin gespannt wie die Geschichte ist:)
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