Zara's scared. She doesn't want to go to school any more. New boy Bodie Finch kicks over blocks and snatches toys and throws chairs, and she can't understand a word he says.
But when Miss Tinker arrives to share her understanding of autism, Zara sees what the world feels like for Bodie Finch. She becomes his best friend and advocate.
To everyone's surprise Bodie responds, reaching out to Zara in his own unique way.
This enchanting picture book, illustrated with vibrant full-colour collages, is based on the real-life classroom experiences of the author, early-childhood educator Candy Lawrence. It's more than just a touching story, it's a teaching resource for parents and teachers to help them open conversations with their children about the challenges of inclusion of children with autism in mainstream classrooms. The techniques used by 'Miss Tinker' are genuine, effective ways to respond to the child with autism, and the book comes with a digital teachers' and parents' handbook (co-authored with inclusion specialist Rebecca Thompson) to help caring adults to get the most out of this educational aid.
Being Friends with Bodie Finch is a comforting, helpful story for children and a valuable aid to understanding for adults. Suitable for ages 4-8, but younger and older children may also identify with Zara's difficulties.
Candy Lawrence is an autistic author with multiple teaching qualifications and over 30 years' experience in the classroom. Her unique talent for creating realistic storylines and fascinating illustrations gives her picture books an irresistible appeal to children. Candy's goal is to make vital social lessons interesting for children and easier to broach safely for their supporting adults. All her books have a subtle inclusion message, with her characters displaying a wide variety of family types, body types, abilities and a range of skin colours to allow all children to see themselves on the page. Her well-researched digital handbooks, available free with every book, provide teachers and parents with accurate information and inspiration for further activities to support learning. Candy, who has won a number of prizes for her poetry, including the Sydney Morning Herald's Great Sonnet Competition 2000, has thus far made autism, bullying and child protection easier to talk about with young children. Her books have been variously used, endorsed or distributed by Early Childhood Australia, Scholastic, Body Safety Australia and Inspired EC as well as being enthusiastically reviewed by both parents and teachers. Now retired from teaching, she lives off-grid in the forests of Northern NSW, Australia, with her partner and two beloved dogs.
