Join Shiloh, a vibrant ten-year-old autistic boy, on a thrilling family adventure to Chicago's Millennium Park in Shiloh Goes to the Park. Written by Cindy Montgomery as part of the TeachAbility Series for Autism, this heartwarming story follows Shiloh's exciting day with his family and even Eli the elephant! Navigating the challenges of a busy park, Shiloh, with the support of his loved ones, enjoys a picnic, mini-golf, and the magnificent Buckingham Fountain. This engaging tale celebrates the joys of family, the beauty of inclusion, and the unique perspective of an autistic child, offering valuable insights and relatable experiences for families and educators alike.
Review Shiloh Goes to the Park
Reading "Shiloh Goes to the Park" felt like a warm hug on a slightly chilly day. As grandparents newly navigating the world of autism with our grandson, this book offered a beacon of understanding and practical advice. The story itself is charming; following Shiloh's adventures at Millennium Park with his family and his trusty elephant, Eli, creates a relatable and engaging narrative. It's easy to see Shiloh's excitement and challenges, making the book accessible not just to parents and caregivers, but also to children themselves. This parent-child reading experience is key; it fosters communication and shared learning, allowing children to understand Shiloh's experiences and adults to learn how to support their autistic children better.
The book's true strength lies in its subtle integration of coping strategies. The way it seamlessly weaves in techniques like using noise-cancelling headphones or the comfort of a beloved stuffed animal felt natural and unobtrusive, rather than preachy or overly didactic. These aren't just thrown in as afterthoughts; they're integral to Shiloh's experience, showing how these tools can be implemented in everyday life to manage sensory overload and anxiety. This practical approach is invaluable; it provides concrete, immediately applicable advice, something desperately needed when facing the sometimes overwhelming challenges of autism. We found ourselves highlighting passages and jotting down notes, eager to implement these strategies in our interactions with our grandson.
While the book shines in its message and practicality, there were a few minor drawbacks. The missing sentence or paragraph at the beginning was jarring, a bit like starting a movie mid-scene. It disrupted the flow slightly, leaving us slightly disoriented initially. The inconsistent font size was also a minor distraction, although not enough to detract significantly from the overall experience. Personally, I would have appreciated more vibrant, full-color illustrations to further engage young readers. The black and white drawings, while adequate, felt somewhat muted compared to the energy and vibrancy of the story itself.
Despite these small imperfections, "Shiloh Goes to the Park" is a truly valuable resource. It's a heartfelt story that successfully combines entertaining narrative with practical, actionable advice. It's a book that we'll be revisiting frequently, both to reinforce the coping strategies and to continue building a stronger understanding of our grandson's world. The comfort it offers—both in its story and its helpful tips—is invaluable, and the positive impact it’s had on our family's journey is immeasurable. We wholeheartedly recommend this book to any family navigating the beautiful, sometimes challenging, world of autism.
Information
- Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.09 x 8.5 inches
- Language: English
- Print length: 33
- Publication date: 2024
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