Pedro Goes to School – a Story about a Boy with Autism by Amy Arnold

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My friend Amy Arnold from The Monarch School has written a great new book called “Pedro Goes to School“. It’s a fantastic and simply explained book for children to help them understand how an autistic child thinks, and even more than that it helps to teach children how to act around an autistic child. And honestly I think it is a good book for children to read even when they don’t know someone with autism. It really helps kids to understand why another child might be shy, or quiet, or loud, or unsociable and how to act around them. I think social skills is a lost “art” per se in many families today. Pedro Goes to School is a great way to teach children that we are all different.   


My son has to overcome a lot of social situations much like a child with Asperger’s or other social hindrances and this book has been a great help to him. It has really made him think about other children’s feelings, or even how to act when he doesn’t understand what another child is doing. He can relate to Pedro because just like Pedro he loves to go to the playground, sometimes he does not like loud noises, he doesn’t like to be teased, and he wants friends to make him happy. I love how Amy portrays Pedro as your average little boy who thinks differently – because in essence that describes an autistic child well. There is nothing “wrong” with him/her – they are differently abled and think differently than other children. But many children don’t understand that – it is up to us to teach them.


Believe it or not we have not actually talked to our son about the word autism before we read “Pedro Goes to School”. Reading this with our son really helped to teach him about autism and how to react when other children are acting differently than he is. I loved how as we read through the story it sounded exactly like our son. It was so easy to talk with him about the how Pedro might be feeling and compare it to how my son feels in the same situation. 

This is also a great book for teachers to understand a little better of how your autistic students may be feeling and the right way to approach them. If you or your children want to learn more about what it is like to be friends with a child with autism this is a great book to get. It is a story about a little boy who wants to make friends and play with other kids but doesn’t always know how to. I think that if other children understood autism a little bit more and how to react to children who have autism like would be a little bit easier for both sides! 


A little bit about the author Amy Arnold:
Mrs. Amy Arnold, M.S.Ed., has spent her life serving children with special needs. In 2009, she co-founded The Monarch School, a nonprofit organization that helps students with autism and spectrum disorders.

Disclosure: I was not compensated for this review. I received this book to read with my family in order to form my own opinions. All opinions are my own.

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13 Comments

  1. Teresha@Marlie and Me says:

    The book sounds like a wonderful teaching tool for adults and children alike of all abilities!

  2. Carrie with Children says:

    I'm a special needs mama and this sounds like a great book! I think it's important for children to understand that while we all may have differences, we are all still the same! Kudos to Mrs. Arnold!

  3. So great that there are books that teach on such specific topics! What a great idea!

  4. JDaniel4's Mom says:

    This sounds like a wonderful book. More and more children struggle with this. What a great way to share what they are going through!

  5. AlexandraFunFit says:

    One of my kids is on an IEP, so I'm always glad when there's info/ books showing how all kids are the same in essence, yet have different strengths & needs. Kudos for this book.

  6. Lisa Cash Hanson says:

    It is so important to teach children about this subject and how to help other children. It will go a long way in creating an atmosphere where they are kind to each other. This is a great book.

  7. Heather McDougle says:

    This sounds like a great book and a great teaching tool. I'll have to put it on my list of books to buy.

  8. LOVE MELISSA:) says:

    This book sounds truly wonderful! It would be great for some of my patients and friends kids! Thank yoU!

  9. This sounds like a fantastic read. My Nephew has asbergers and had a terrible childhood. Wish this book was around for him when he was growing up 🙂

  10. This sounds like a really helpful book – thanks for sharing!

  11. http://livingatthewhiteheadszoo.blogspot.com/ says:

    This sounds like a great book to share.

  12. The Queen of Swag says:

    great post. sounds great!

  13. KymberlyWE says:

    Great teachers are great parents and vice versa. Way to go!

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