Picture book for children with autism a success

Her son seduce Marijn (7) a book, didn't work either Vliegenthart for years. ,, The story not often closed his experiential world, the colors were too bright, or the figure on each page in the book made eye contact, '' tells Vliegenthart. ,, Especially that last one was too overwhelming for him. Even the crosses of Miffy had too much impact. ''

A search for suitable books for her son earned Vliegenthart nothing on.,, there are books that talk about autistic children, but not in content connect to the experiences of these children. Half a year ago I thought: Why am I writing itself is not a children's book, Marijn like that? '' After two weeks was the book with 12 pages. The drawings also made them yourself. ,, The writing went without saying. Unconsciously I have very well with my son picked up what he wants to read and what is not. ''

Clearly the most important thing in the book is a clear story. In many children's books, Think, steps are skipped. Says the main character, for example, that he or she is going to do shopping, then they stand the next picture in the supermarket. In a child with autism calls that a lot of questions, '' explains Vliegenthart. , Then another half hour, Marijn could by questions. ' But Mommy, how are they at the supermarket? With the bicycle, car? What color had the car then? And where did they parked? ' In this book are such things. ''

The drawings are made with pencil and used only in the book earth tones. Also, the main character, Saartje, no man but a squirrel. , Here, I have deliberately chosen so that the children can make no comparison with himself. Also, the book is written in verse, in order to stimulate language development. ''

The second part of Saartje appears in March, the third in June. ,, The publishing house, Graviant, is so excited that soon the English translation appears. Work is now underway on the Italian and Spanish translation. They consider even a Frisian version. ''

Vliegenthart presents Saartje Saturday 27 February at bookstore the cricket in Alblasserdam.

Source: AD.nl/Maren Verbunt/© Cees van der Wal