Additional information
by Rasha Hamid (Author), Rachael A Rachael and Phillippa Corcutt (Illustrator)
Three autistic kids reflect on the strengths and struggles of living with autism
In Uncommonly Curious, Eternally Autistic, Elijah, Izzy, and Rio explain what it's like to live with autism. They share their special interests, show what helps when they feel overstimulated, and describe how they communicate. For now, they sometimes have to mask their autistic traits to fit in and be safe, but they believe in a future where the world will make space for them, just as they are. Together, the three children learn, play, and celebrate the many ways they are autistically amazing.
- Written by an autistic author, drawing on her own experience
- Depicts three autistic kids who explain special interests, stimming, masking, and other autistic experiences
- Celebrates autism joy and offers an empowering self-representation for autistic kids
- Helps children develop empathy and understanding with first-person storytelling from a child's perspective
The Disability Books for Kids series explores visible and invisible disability in the first person, as seen through the eyes of children and written from lived experience. The series builds allyship, challenges ableism, and celebrates difference, empowering and educating all readers. Each book includes an author's note to the reader.
Author Biography
Rasha Hamid has been a special education educator for over 20 years, working in the New York City neighborhoods of East Harlem, Hamilton Heights, and Brooklyn, and in Khartoum, Sudan. Rasha considers herself an educator-activist: someone who works to make the world more just, joyful, equitable, and sustainable through the education of students and teachers. She began creating picture books with her classes to fill the need for books reflecting her students, their experiences, and their passions. In addition to Uncommonly Curious, Eternally Autistic, Rasha is the author of Kadisa كديسة, How to Bird, and Hello, Beech Tree!. Rasha is proud to be the AuDHD (autistic + ADHD) mom of an AuDHD young adult. Autism and observing the natural world are two of Rasha's special interests. She attended New York City public schools before earning a bachelor's degree in Africana Studies and Education at Vassar College, and a master's degree in Special Education at Bank Street College of Education.
Rachael and Phillippa Corcutt are illustrators and twin sisters. They work together as an illustration collective and are currently based in Derbyshire, UK. Both sisters graduated from the University of Derby with a First Class (Hons) Degree in Illustration, specializing in illustration for children. They love to create whimsical and magical worlds inspired by nature, wildlife, and childhood memories. Their illustrations are created using gouache paints, colored pencils and digital.
