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Robbins, Rose

Talking Is Not My Thing

32 pp. | Eerdmans | August, 2020 | Trade ISBN 978-0-8028-5549-7 $16.99
(2) K-3 Drawn as a sunshine-yellow, dog-like creature with a heart-shaped nose and pointy triangular ears, a nonverbal girl tells readers via a thought bubble: "I don't speak. But my brother finds it easy!" During spaghetti dinner, TV-watching with Grandma, read-aloud time, and tooth-brushing, the girl's thoughts and her brother's words are in sync, with the girl's gestures and facial expressions aiding communication. But when it's pajama time, the girl notices that her stuffed animal, Bunny, is missing. Wailing "EEEEEEEEE!" she dashes outside to search for Bunny, startling her brother and grandmother, who don't understand what she's up to. Brother's flashlight saves the day, and the siblings' bedtime routine soon resumes its easy rhythm. Robbins eschews labels in her story, but a brief author bio notes how growing up with an autistic brother "informs and shapes her writing." With minimal text, Robbins presents challenges ("All the noises at dinner are too much. I wish I could turn my ears off"), moments of pride ("I am teaching my brother a guessing game with drawing"), and key supports, such as flashcards and bathroom help. Thick, loose-lined drawings imbued with cheerful color offer a family portrait that normalizes autism and celebrates love and connection. Pair this with Robbins's Me and My Sister for another slice-of-life story, told from the brother's perspective.
Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2021

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