July 22, 2019

And You Can Love Me- Book Tour

July 22, 2019

And You Can Love Me is a story for everyone who loves someone with ASD (autism spectrum disorder). It is the fictional story of Ethan, a nonverbal autistic child, based on the author’s observations and experiences with her grandson. The bounce of a ball is not only a metaphor, but also how the author imagines that the child is releasing his innermost physical and emotional challenges. It is a love story that can be recognized by parents, caregivers and teachers; a story that embraces Ethan, a nonverbal child, who may never/or not yet be able to write his own story, yet he lives it every day and tells it by his actions and by bouncing a ball — any ball, any size, any color.

And You Can Love Me is also a picture book that a child with ASD may, in some way, recognize within himself/herself. It doesn’t try to explain, define or even educate; it is merely Ethan’s story – the story of one particular nonverbal autistic child; one of the many stories that will add to the persity of ASD stories.

ACCLAIM FOR AND YOU CAN LOVE ME

“As a mother and grandmother, this story speaks to me about the power of unconditional love we bring to any situation. This book is an excellent resource for adults who have a child or grandchild with autism. It acknowledges the different ways a loved one with autism may communicate and reminds me that we love completely. As a former special education teacher, I am able to keep sharing with people, through this story, about the wonderful persity that we see in the world. Everyone has gifts.” –Deb Holtz is a former special education teacher, a current end-of-life doula and a mother and grandmother.

“In And You Can Love Me, Sherry Quan Lee gives us the world of Ethan, a little boy with autism. Although Ethan is mute, his daily routine of bouncing a ball and expressing his needs, as well as his interior life, are revealed through simple sketches and lovely lines, like Today I am another year of being me. A welcome and wonderful addition to the as-yet-tiny body of work about children with autism, And You Can Love Me is a beautiful, profoundly moving book.” –Alison McGhee, New York Times bestselling author of many books for children and adults. From Loving Healing Press www.LHPress.com

My Review,

And You Can Love Me is a cute short story that looks into the life of Ethan, a little boy with autism and is nonverbal. A read for all ages, and a lesson for everyone as well as it doesn’t matter who you are, how old or even mute- you can love as well as communicate.

The book gives an insight to how the day may go for someone living with a loved one with autism, and how the journey of a day goes for someone with autism themselves. While non speaking could prove to be a challenge, Ethan can show you what he wants if you take his hand, he has likes and dislikes, enjoyment with his favorite activities. Just like any other person in this world, Ethan has adventures, just his way. It’s brilliantly written, sweet and cute, fun quick read.

I think this book is a great way to open up a discussion with kids and adults alike who have some questions about autism, to have them realize while they may be different they are still the same as everyone else. We all want love, we all want to be heard, and to be understood, and we all want to live with happiness. With the insight on Ethan’s life you are reminded how precious life really is.

Available to buy from… Amazon.com Amazon.co.uk Barnes and Noble GPlay Paperback Hardcover

And You Can Love Me: A Story for Everyone Who Loves Someone with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) by Sherry Quan Lee

More books by the author

About the Author

Sherry Quan Lee, MFA, University of Minnesota, is the author of Chinese Blackbird, a memoir in verse, Love Imagined: a mixed race memoir (a Minnesota Book Award Finalist); and, editor of How Dare We! Write: a multicultural creative writing discourse. Teagan Trif Merrifield attended Minneapolis Media Arts Institute for computer modeling. Her passion is bringing what’s inside of the mind to life. And You Can Love Me is her first venture into picture book illustration. Kyra Gaylor studied education at Southwest Minnesota State University. Most of her teaching experience has been at the kindergarten and preschool levels. She loves to create. She loves to collect and repurpose vintage treasures.

You can also follow the author here… Website Author on Facebook Goodreads Amazon Author Page