"The Girl Who Thought in Pictures"
Today's A Mighty Girl Community Pick is in honor of Temple Grandin's 71st birthday: "The Girl Who Thought In Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin" by Julia Finley Mosca. Doctors told Temple Grandin's mother that she'd never speak, let alone have a productive life. But her mother refused to believe it: she saw potential in her observant and creative child. As Temple grew, she learned to articulate how her mind worked: her astounding visual memory allowed her to draw whole blueprints from just one tour through a facility, and her empathy with animals helped her develop methods to improve their treatment at farms around the globe! Today a professor, she has made groundbreaking contributions to science and become a powerful voice for autistic people.
This captivating picture book biography, told in rhyming text, is an inspiring introduction to a pioneering scientist and advocate who persevered against tremendous odds. Mosca captures Grandin's unique way of thinking and how she turned her talents into a successful career, encouraging young readers to see how differences can be a source of strength. Vibrant cartoon illustrations by Daniel Rieley draw kids into Grandin's world. The book also includes a colorful timeline of events and a note from Grandin herself urging children to "keep learning, especially from your mistakes." Highly recommended for ages 5 to 9.
"The Girl Who Thought In Pictures" is available at https://www.amightygirl.com/the-girl-who-thought-in-pictures
Temple Grandin recently published a new book on inventing for kids ages 8 to 12 at https://www.amightygirl.com/calling-all-minds
For an excellent biography about Dr. Grandin for older children, we also recommend “Temple Grandin: How the Girl Who Loved Cows Embraced Autism and Changed the World” for ages 9 to 14 at https://www.amightygirl.com/temple-grandin-1
Dr. Grandin is also the author of several books, including "The Autistic Brain: Helping Different Kinds of Minds Succeed" (http://amzn.to/1MgWGWK) and the recent release "The Loving Push: How Parents and Professionals Can Help Spectrum Kids Become Successful Adults" (http://amzn.to/2iRUKjF)
For books and guides for both kids and their parents about girls with autism, check out our blog post, "A Different Way of Thinking: 20 Books About Autistic Mighty Girls" at https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=14948
And, for more books for all ages about trailblazing women of science, visit our blog post, "60 Books to Inspire Science-Loving Mighty Girls," at https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=13914
(from A Mighty Girl FB page)