🟢 Book Review: Too Sticky by Jen Malia
RATING: 🟢 Recommended
REVIEWER: Jevin Morris
REVIEW METHODOLOGY: Louise Derman-Spark's Guide for Selecting Anti-Bias Children's Books from the Social Justice Books Project, Teaching for Change
Holly loved experiments. But not today. She didn’t want to touch anything sticky like slime.
Sensory issues are one of the most common challenges that many autistic people experience, but with a couple of accommodations, life can be made so much easier. Author Jen Malia and Illustrator Joanne Lew-Vriethoff explore this in Too Sticky! Sensory issues with Autism. This story centers around an autistic girl named Holly who struggles with loud noises and sticky things. When Holly remembers that her science class will have an experiment where students make slime, she can’t help but be anxious.
Holly initially struggles with the experiment but is ultimately pushed to stick with it by her teacher, who assures Holly that she can help Holly wash the slime off her hands after the experiment. It’s through the support of her teacher and her classmates that Holly is able to participate in the experiment, and she learns that slime isn’t too sticky and is fun to play with. The story of Too Sticky! showcases how neurotypical adults and peers can show support to autistic children and how that support can help autistic children learn and cope with intense feelings.Â
It is important to note that the support and encouragement Holly receives comes close to pushing her to her limits, and that those encouraging autistic children to go beyond their comfort zone should be mindful that they aren’t doing so in an unhealthy manner. Being autistic myself, the story brought up memories of when I was young and was pressured into science experiments that set off my sensory issues, as well. In those situations, very little support was offered to me, which made them immensely difficult. Too Sticky! Sensory Issues with Autism showcases the accommodations that I wish I had back then, while offering an endearing story with great art that’ll make you fall in love with Holly along the way.
ABOUT THE REVIEWER
REVIEWER BIO: Jevin Morris was a student at Portland State University and took Zapoura Newton-Calvert's Anti-Bias Education course. Their volunteer work was a partnership with Reading Is Resistance and the Social Justice Books Project from Teaching for Change.
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