Sara Leach - Penguin Days

PRAISE FOR Slug Days

by S A R A L E A C H

Illustrations by Rebecca Bender

Honors

2019 Chocolate Lily Award: Chapter Book/Early Novel nominee

2017 Foreword INDIES: Juvenile Fiction Award finalist

2018 ALA Schneider Family Book Award finalist

2018 Horn Book , August 2018 Back-to-School Horn Book Herald: Intermediate selection

2018 Huffpost 17 Childrens Books That Promote Understanding of Autism selection

2018 A Mighty Girl A Different Way of Thinking: 20 Books About Autistic Mighty Girls selection

2018 USBBY Outstanding International Books List Grades 3-6 selection

2018 CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens Starred Selection

Reviews

Slug Days wisely presents autism as neither disability nor exceptionalism. Its a fact that Lauren lives with; it shapes her encounters without necessarily limiting them. At the books core lies a wish that anyone can identify with: the need for a friend. This winsome, gentle introduction to differences will be a positive addition to school and home libraries. Foreword Reviews

Laurens narrative voice is honest, poignant, and spot-on in describing her often baffled perceptionsBenders pencil-and-digital illustrations appear on nearly every generously leaded spread. Her tender, winsome depictions of Lauren, sometimes endearingly engaged but other times steamy with anger, broaden the tale and make it accessible to even children transitioning to chapter books. This nondidactic effort is a fine, affecting addition to the literature for kids on the spectrum and for those who know those kidsin short, for just about everyone. Kirkus Reviews

A necessary addition to elementary school libraries and a potential spark for a discussion about autism, Aspergers, or simply embracing differences. School Library Journal

Benders pencil drawings readily reflect characters frustrations and other emotionsfeelings that Lauren acknowledges she has trouble recognizing. Leachs empathetic novel should both open eyes and encourage greater patience and understanding.
Publishers Weekly

Laurens happier butterfly days become something to root for, as she bonds with her baby sister and eventually makes a friend. Frequent clear pencil and digital illustrations break up the sometimes-long paragraphs and should help young readers understand Laurens emotions and others reactions. The Horn Book Magazine

First published in Canada in 2018
First published in the United States in 2019

Text copyright 2018 Sara Leach

Illustration copyright 2018 Rebecca Bender

This edition copyright 2020 Pajama Press Inc.

This is a first edition.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system

or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior written consent of the publisher

or a licence from The Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency (Access Copyright). For an Access

Copyright licence, visit www.accesscopyright.ca or call toll free 1.800.893.5777.

The publisher gratefully acknowledges the support of the Canada Council for the Arts and the

Ontario Arts Council for its publishing program. We acknowledge the financial support of the

Government of Canada through the Canada Book Fund (CBF) for our publishing activities.

Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication

Leach, Sara, 1971-, author

Penguin days / by Sara Leach ; illustrations by Rebecca Bender.

ISBN 978-1-77278-053-6 (hardcover)

I. Bender, Rebecca, illustrator II. Title.

PS8623.E253P46 2018 jC813.6 C2018-902710-X

Publisher Cataloging-in-Publication Data (U.S.)

Names: Leach, Sara, 1971-, author. | Bender, Rebecca, 1980-, illustrator.

Title: Penguin Days / by Sara Leach; illustrations by Rebecca Bender.

Description: Toronto, Ontario Canada: Pajama Press, 2018. | Summary: Lauren, who has Autism Spectrum Disorder, reluctantly takes on the role of flower girl in her aunts wedding. While its difficult to break her familiar routines and deal with unfamiliar cousins and scratchy dresses, Lauren eventually decides that having an extended family is worth the bother -- Provided by publisher.

Identifiers: ISBN 978-1-77278-053-6 (hardcover)

Subjects: LCSH: Extended families Juvenile fiction. | Autism spectrum disorders Juvenile fiction. | Weddings Juvenile fiction. | BISAC: JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Special needs. | JUVENILE FICTION / Family / Marriage & Divorce. | JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Emotions & Feelings.

Classification: LCC PZ7.L433Pe |DDC [E] dc23

Original art created with pencil and digital media
Cover and book designRebecca Bender

Manufactured by Friesens

Printed in Canada

Pajama Press Inc.

181 Carlaw Ave. Suite 251 Toronto, Ontario Canada, M4M 2S1

Distributed in Canada by UTP Distribution

5201 Dufferin Street Toronto, Ontario Canada, M3H 5T8

Distributed in the U.S. by Ingram Publisher

1 Ingram Blvd. La Vergne, TN 37086, USA

It took us two days, eight movies, four chapter books, and three throw-ups to reach Auntie Josss house. Mom only flipped her lid twice. Lexi needed twelve diaper changes. Dad kept turning up the sound on the radio and telling us wed be there soon.

Auntie Joss lived in Lincoln, North Dakota, where it was as flat as our school field. Without all the kids. And with more corn. There were no mountains or oceans, but we did see some tall buildings. Dad said they were grain elevators. I didnt understand why grain would have to go up and down an elevator, but Dad said he didnt know how they worked and was too tired from driving to think about it.

Lincoln, North Dakota, is a long, long way from home, I said.

It is, Mom said. But were going for a very important reason. Auntie Joss is getting married, and youre going to be a flower girl.

Dad turned down the radio. Its an extra-special wedding because it will take place in the field behind Auntie Josss farmhouse.

Youll walk down the aisle in front of Auntie Joss, and lead her to Charlie, said Mom.

I stuck my hand out the window and let the hot air wave it up and down. You already told me twice. Auntie Joss should get married at our house. We have flowers in our backyard, not elevators.

Dad turned the radio back up.

At last we arrived at Auntie Josss house. She came running across the grass and pressed a wet kiss on my cheek.