Charlie makes a splash!

K-Gr 2--This gentle family narrative, a follow-up to My Brother Charlie, is told from the point of view of Charlie, a young boy who has autism. Along with his mother, father, and twin sister Callie, he engages in a variety of enjoyable activities. With a deep affinity for water, Charlie particularly relishes swimming, walking in the rain, visiting the aquarium, washing hands, and taking baths. The lyrical text, replete with poetic phrases celebrating the tactility of water, affords a powerful impression of the sensory rhythms of RJ Peete's own experience with autism. In his digital art, Evans depicts stylized Black characters with enormous eyes. The swirl and flow of water in the surrounding environment looks as warm and inviting to readers as it must to Charlie. VERDICT A positive and informative look at autistic experience through a child-friendly lens.--Jonah Dragan

An autistic boy shares his love of the water. Charlie has a twin sister named Callie. The two share a lot, but they are different. For one thing, Charlie is autistic, while Callie isn't. Callie supports Charlie, mostly by simply letting her brother be himself. Another thing that helps Charlie is water; he loves going out in the rain or to the lakeside or pool. "Water makes my heart smile." Callie is by his side through it all. When the twins and their parents go to the aquarium, Charlie shares his extensive fish-related knowledge and savors the feeling of being wrapped up in comforting, swirling waterscapes. His family lets him feel like he's "swimming in an ocean of love." Evans' illustrations give lovely texture and color to the many water incarnations and appropriately reveal wonder through Charlie's big brown eyes. This honest, affirming book was co-written by Robinson Peete, of My Brother Charlie (2010), and her son, Peete, who is autistic and whose sister, Ryan Elizabeth Peete, helped write the previous book. An extensive author's note from Robinson Peete describes the personal inspiration for this story along with some sage advice for families of autistic individuals. In a separate note, Peete discusses being on the autism spectrum and, in Autism 101, lists helpful tips aimed at people who aren't autistic. Charlie and his family, like their real-life authorial counterparts, are Black. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A warm portrayal of the life of an autistic child who is supported by a loving family. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.