Written by Naoki Higashida when he was only thirteen, this remarkable book provi
des a rare insight into the often baffling behaviour of autistic children. Using
a question and answer format, Naoki explains things like why he talks loudly or
repeats the same questions, what causes him to have panic attacks, and why he l
ikes to jump. He also shows the way he thinks and feels about his world - other
people, nature, time and beauty, and himself.
Abundantly proving that people
with autism do possess imagination, humour and empathy, he also makes clear how
badly they need our compassion, patience and understanding. David Mitchell and h
is wife have translated Naoki's book so that it might help others dealing with a
utism and generally illuminate a little-understood condition. It gives us an exc
eptional chance to enter the mind of another and see the world from a strange an
d fascinating perspective.
The book also features eleven original illustratio
ns, inspired by Naoki's words, by the artistic duo Kai and Sunny.
