Maine writer Davene Fahy writes an entertaining and instructional young children's book about a school boy named Anthony Best, who exhibits negative behaviors in class and on the playground.
FAhy's beautifully illustrated story describes behaviors and talents exhibited by Anthony, without attaching labels to his attributes.
Anthony's young friend in the story supports him, regardless of how his aggressive or unusual behavior upsets other people. Eventually, Anthony's friend is pleasantly surprised to discover that he is an accomplished piano player. It turns out, Anthony is probably the best pianist his young friend has ever heard play.
"Anthony Best" holds the reader's interest because the child's behaviors are familiar to many who have known or worked with children with autism. Fahy writes about Anthony's behavior without attributing his actions to any particular label, but are consistent with observations of children with autism.
This presentation of Anthony as a boy with a special gift for playing the piano, in spite of being unable to control his behavior, is what makes Fahy's book an exceptional teaching story. Anthony seamlessly changes from a boy with behavior problems into a child with musical talent.
Readers are able to focus on the faithfulness of Anthony's defending friend, who learns about his special musical talent, almost by accident. While Anthony's classmates are upset by his disruptive behavior, he keeps his exceptional musical talent private, by playing the piano at home for his mother. As a beautiful story ending, we learn how Anthony really is the best boy because he has a wonderful talent for music.
A value added to Fahy's story is the succinct description about autism provided at the end of the book. This helpful addendum assists the adult reader to may be asked questions from children who either hear the story or read it for themselves.
The Cromwell Center for Disabilities Awareness teaches children in the classroom about the specialness of all people, especially those who may have a disability, either visible or invisible in nature. "Anthony Best" is an excellent story example to teach children about disabilities awareness, about understanding others, without applying negative labels to their behaviors.
"Anthony Best" is illustrated by Carol Inouye. Author Fahy is a resident of Thomaston, ME.
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