I Am Odd, I Am New

(Hardback)

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Description

Through the eyes of 10-year-old Benjamin Giroux, being odd is different, and different is a good thing. This is what the then fifth-grader hoped to convey in his poem, beginning every few sentences with "I am," about what it is like to live with autism. Inspired by a school assignment, Benjamin's raw and emotional words poured out onto the page, but when he feared they were not any good, his parents shared the poem with friends and family. Little did they know that it would go viral and end up inspiring thousands of strangers who identified with him to share their support. Now for the first time, Benjamin's iconic poem "I Am Odd, I Am New," comes to life in this lovingly illustrated picture book with a foreword written by the National Autism Association. So whether you know the poem, or it is new to you, discover how Benjamin's honesty will reassure children of all ages that it's okay to be different. AGES: 5 to 8 AUTHOR: Benjamin Giroux has been featured on many websites, in the Huffington Post, and on the Today Show and Good Morning America. He was named Poet Laureate of Plattsburgh, New York, and has also been the face of the National Autism Association's antibullying campaign. His poem has been translated into several languages. Roz MacLean is an award-winning Canadian illustrator and children's writer. She especially loves making art about themes that are important to her, like exploring emotions and diverse ways of being in the world. She has written and illustrated two books, The Body Book and Violet's Cloudy Day. SELLING POINTS: . Featuring a foreword by the National Autism Association, this extraordinary picture book shows readers the world through the eyes of a boy with autism . Children will be reassured that everyone is different, and that different is a quality we should all embrace . Written by a 10-year-old boy on the autism spectrum, this Schiffer Kids by Kids title is part of our program designed to create books by kids for kids

Reviews

"Written when the autistic author was 10, Girouxs poetic exploration of being/feeling different from the perspective of living on the spectrum brings to light that being neurodivergent is not the same as being broken or less. Being different is not an insurmountable obstacle to experiencing life but rather a gift to experience more."
-- Kirkus Starred Review
"Benjamin Giroux's goal when writing his poem was to have society understand that being odd is different, and different is a good thing."
-- Today
"A 10-year-old New York boy who was given a school assignment ended up touching the hearts of thousands after writing a moving poem that gives an inside look into his life with autism."
-- The Daily Mail
"Later, paper airplanes soar with the suggestion that different shouldnt mean separate, providing an answer to the poems hopeful concluding sentiments about finding where one belongs."
-- Publisher's Weekly
this illustrated book and its powerful message will be an invaluable resource for creative writing teachers. With unique clarity, it provides a childs perspective of the world that will inspire genuine empathy in KS2 children reading this independently, or discussing it as a class in PSHE lessons.
-- School Reading List

Author Bio

Benjamin Girouxis the author of the poem I Am Odd, I Am New. The poem, now also a picture book (I Am Odd, I Am New), has received a Kirkus Reviews starred review and was named a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year. Benjamin is also an award-winning songwriter, was named poet laureate of Plattsburgh, New York, and has been the face of the National Autism Associations antibullying campaign. He has been featured in theHuffington Post and on theToday ShowandGood Morning America. His poem has been translated into several languages and made into a critically acclaimed music video, releasing in April 2022. Benjamin lives in upstate New York with his parents and pet snake, Monty. Roz MacLean is an award-winning Canadian illustrator and children's writer. She especially loves making art about themes that are important to her, like exploring emotions and diverse ways of being in the world. She has written and illustrated two books,The Body Book and Violet's Cloudy Day.