Next Level: A Hymn in Gratitude for Neurodiversity

by Samara Cole Doyon, Kaylani Juanita (Illustrator)

From the award-winning team behind Magnificent Homespun Brown, Samara Cole Doyon and Coretta Scott King Award Honoree Kaylani Juanita, comes a song of gratitude for those who see the world in a different way. Told from the loving perspective of a mother of a child with autism, Next Level shows the full humanity of people who move through the world and communicate in their own unique, complete, and powerful way. Doyon's powerful love letter to her son invites us to "level up" and see our shared humanity in new and limitless dimensions. Full Color

Genres: Picture Books, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Childrens, Family, Love

32 pages, Hardcover

Published April 16, 2024

About the author

Samara Cole Doyon is both a second--generation Haitian American and a deeply rooted Mainer, with half of the roots of her family tree reaching generations deep into the soil of the Pine Tree State. She is a freelance writer, teacher, wife, and mother. She has been a regular contributor at Black Girl In Maine Media and has been featured in the "Deep Water" poetry column of the Portland Press Herald.

Reviews

[Raudah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful Children's book talking about Autism from point of view of a mother.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Age: 4+
Activism: Disability and Autistic advocacy
Identity: Autistic

What an absolute joy this book is. Written by a neurodivergent mother of neurodivergent children, a mother and her masculine-presenting child go through a normal day attending church, waiting for the bus, and ending their day with a bath and snuggles. While the written words celebrate the unique worldview and sensory experiences of the child (addressed as "you," the mother speaking to him) the progression of this simple day really stood out to me as a beautiful, powerful embrace. Perhaps amplified by the author's note saying, "It still sometimes feels like a radical act to show up with my child in the larger world, allowing and encouraging him to take up space within his own community."

And what a perfect illustrator to capture this autistic child's movements, feelings, and experience with the world, especially his mental connection to the star shape as the shape repeats throughout the book.

A really, really wonderful addition to the spectrum of autistic voices in children's literature.

[McKenzie Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

For more bookish opinions, visit my blog: Craft-Cycle

Another fantastic book from Doyon and Juanita. An absolutely gorgeous story that celebrates the value of different ways of thinking, neurodiversity, and challenging the status quo.

This lyrical story follows a mother and child as they communicate and interact with each other throughout the day, spending time together and learning from one another while not worrying about the onlookers who do not try to understand their different ways of thinking.

As always, Juanita's artwork is phenomenal. Gorgeous illustrations that really capture the love, gratitude, and joy expressed in the text.

Such a sweet book with eye-catching illustrations, a soothing rhythm, and wonderful messages of acceptance and the value of different ways of experiencing and interacting with the world.

[Karol Silverstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

How utterly refreshing to read a joyous picture book about a neurodivergent child, written by a neurodivergent parent! So often these books are written by neurotypical parents who really do mean well. But they tend to downplay the child's diagnosis so that he or she isn't seen as different, when, in the real world, maybe the child is different and maybe that's wonderful?

In particular, I appreciated the author's note at the end of the book. Doyon acknowledges that, while a neurodivergent child's behavior can sometimes seem disruptive in public places, she asks neurotypical readers to just imagine how overwhelming the situation might be for the child. Raising a fuss or shaming the parent helps no one.

Next Level: A Hymn in Gratitude for Neurodiversity is a beautiful story of the unshakable bond between a child and parent that celebrates the child's unique spirit. Brava!

[Kathy Temean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a much-needed book. Your book points out how some children are different from no fault of their own. This a heartwarming story about a mother who sees her autistic child as a gift and lets her son move through the world and communicate in his own unique, complete, and powerful way. It reads like a powerful love letter from a caring mom to her son.

I love Kaylani Juanita's illustrations, especially how she used the wind, leaves, and birds to mimic the movement of the energetic Little boy. The last page is beautiful, with its muted nighttime colors. The bedroom lamp projecting stars around the room is perfectly soft and sweet and takes the story to the next level.

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe the low readership on this! I picked this up on a whim at the library, and I just loved it. Books that uplift and celebrate neurodiversity, especially in children, are so important. It's so necessary to combat the pervasive negativity towards autistic people and their behaviors/the ways they exist in the world. Autistic people have a right to exist in the ways they are most comfortable and I love the way this book affirms that, using lovely, poetic language, and drawings that do an amazing job of representing emotion in a physical space.


Also totally irrelevant to the books content but this book smelled so good lmao. As a lifelong book smeller I appreciated that

[Louise Aamodt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This interesting picture book surprised me by how many emotions it evoked as I read: curiosity, empathy, curiosity, and even defensiveness. The main character is a neurodiverse child who experiences the world in a different way, and rather than being lesser, it's a next level experience. More intense. More captivating. It helped me think of some special needs kids I know in a whole different way. The artwork is spot-on accurate as the mother implements little techniques to meet her son's needs, and it's portrayed just as naturally as any other mom's interactions. A great book for all ages.

[Gabrielle Stoller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness, as someone who has a very good friend with a nonverbal (yet very communicative child), I am SO thankful for this book. It is a book that celebrates a child for WHO THEY ARE. It isn't a book that seeks to pity that child. It doesn't want to erase away their neurodiversity. Rather they are celebrated. As is the caregiver. It is EXCELLENT

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was written by the author for her son who is autistic. The book deals with how others perceive people who are different/neurodivergent. This book would be best for an individual read, not a group read. Some readers may take issue with the naked little boy butt on one page. An overall good read that will make you more aware of those around you. (Diamond 25-26)

[Amanda Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author and illustrator truly capture the experience of raising a neurodivergent child. The book says it's a hymn and in Destiny its call number is 782.42, but there is no mention in the book where to find the music.

[Melanie Gaum · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC from Edelweiss.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that this book exists and I can't wait to see more like it.

[A.C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poem style, not bad but also doesn't go into detail about things. could be good for an individual read than a group read.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I use the word joyful too often in reviews, but it is the perfect word for this book. It is joyful and affirming with unbelievably cute illustrations.

[Jj · Rating 5 out of 5]

So well-done in every way, and unquestionably a much-needed representation of neurodiversity that is very real and difficult and beautiful all at once.

[Amity · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolutely lovely and much-needed. 5/5

[Wendy Gardiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don’t miss the author’s note! This book is a celebration of neurodiversity with joyous illustrations that complement the lyrical text.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

A poetic picture book about a boy with autism trying to get through his day and not letting others views of him get him down. elementary and up

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mother celebrates the uniqueness of her neurodivergent son.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had a nice cadence to it, and I love that it’s written in second person as an ode from a mother to her child. It contrasts the judgement she and her child receive from others with the love and celebration she creates for her child.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Danielleis currently reading
which I saw on my 'recent Updates page' Danielleis currently reading
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A really wonderful telling about a topic, behaviors that are often not understood.
A book worth reading by anyone, adults included, who is near or just to increase awarness, a family/community for which neurodiversity is present. (of gosh, I don't know how to phrase that)
The author's note is an added value.