Reviewed by Rama Gaind.
By Julia Finley Mosca, illustrated by Daniel Rieley, The Innovation Press, $17.99.
Once you read this, you’ll feel heartened by the real-life story of one of the world’s quirkiest science heroes! The life of an American professor of animal Science at Colorado State University Dr. Temple Grandin will inspire you.
It’s telling is also engaging — in a picture book format — aimed at five-to-nine-year-olds.
‘If you’ve ever felt different, if you’ve ever been low, if you don’t quite fit in’ then you’ve got a big lesson, there’s a name you should know. Meet Dr Grandin, who was diagnosed with autism at a young age. No one expected her to talk, let alone become one of the most powerful voices in modern science. Yet, the determined visual thinker did just that. Her unique mind allowed her to connect with animals in a special way, helping her to invent ground-breaking improvements for farms around the globe.
The solemnity surrounding this simple statement touches the soul: “I am different, not less”. There’s also earnestness in her abilities to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. The recipient of many prestigious awards and honours, Temple was able to invent ways to make “transporting safer and more comfortable for livestock. Among her most valuable contributions as an animal scientist are two inventions: the center track restrainer system, used to hold animals in a gentle upright position on the conveyor belt, and the curved loading chute depicted in this book”.
It is inspiring to realise that despite the fear of the unknown in the ‘50s and ‘60s — as a child she struggled with the unfamiliar obstacles facing an autistic child in a society ill-equipped to understand and meet her needs — she turned her supposed disadvantages into her greatest assets.
Colourfully illustrated, The Girl Who Thought In Pictures is the first book in a brand new educational series about the inspirational lives of amazing scientists. This is a long-awaited picture book for younger children.
In 2014, there was also an audible audiobook for late-elementary children titled Temple Grandin: How the Girl Who Loved Cows Embraced Autism and Changed the World by Sy Montgomery. It’s a wonderful story that was also a film in 2010 Temple Grandin, starring Claire Danes.
This latest publication tells the story of Grandin through short, appealing verse as she grew up, faced teasing and official reprimanding and eventually grew up to take on a predominantly male cattle industry, triumphantly convincing it to adopt new standards and practices that lessened the psychological and physical torment of its cows.
In addition to the illustrated rhyming tale, there’s a complete biography, fun facts, a colourful timeline of events and even a note from Temple herself!
A prominent author and speaker on both autism and animal behaviour, Dr Grandin spreads hope with her stories and speeches.
“Each person is special —
so UNIQUE are our minds.
This world needs YOUR ideas.
It takes brains of ALL kinds!”
