Ways to Play

Cousins find common ground through play in a simple story with an instructional thrust from an autistic creative team. When "Bossy Older Cousin Emma" visits, she doesn't understand the way that neurodivergent-cued narrator Riley plays. While Emma and sister Violet bounce "from toy to toy," Riley "can play at one thing all day long"; while the cousins color inside the lines, Riley creates "squiggly spirals of wax" with sharpened crayons. Following Emma's criticisms, "the room feels too hot," but with the help of an exuberant family dog, Riley shows Emma that "there are lots of ways to play with toys." Declarative first-person text from Miller-Lachmann (She Persisted: Temple Grandin) emphasizes creative, cousin-connecting Riley's experience ("Points and spirals make beautiful pictures"), explaining how and why Riley enjoys certain activities ("If I line up my dolls and stuffies by size I know which ones fit on the chairs"). Fine-lined ink and wash artwork from Alborozo (This Old Dog) adds warmth through pale-skinned, pink-cheeked figures with wide smiles, and standout spreads of Riley's crayon swirls and the group frolicking together capture varied types of play. An author's note shares Miller-Lachmann's experience as an undiagnosed autistic child. Ages 4-7. Author's agent: Jacqui Lipton, Raven Quill Literary. (Aug.)

PreS-Gr 3--A boy named Riley introduces himself and shares his frustrations about his bossy older cousin Emma; she thinks there's only one way to play--the right way! Riley's way is wrong, wrong, wrong. Bouncing from toy to toy, organizing stuffies for a tea party, feeling like the room is too hot--these provide Riley and readers room to breathe and understand just how important different ways to play need to be for many young children. Pen, ink, and watercolor illustrations saturate each page with several spreads spilling over with images of Charlie, Riley's exuberant tail-wagging canine whose loving expressions are captured agreeably when the cousins decide to follow Riley outside to play in the backyard. Miller-Lachmann's personal experiences as an undiagnosed autistic child are reflected in this poignant story, which is accompanied by a detailed author's note. The poignant text teams together with ebullient drawings, delivering a welcome and heartwarming message for all young readers. VERDICT Many libraries will find this picture book appealing, especially if their collection of stories needs a new and welcome addition with respect to children of all abilities.--Lyn Smith