Iris Grace: How Thula the Cat Saved a Little Girl and Her Family

Should be a mandatory read for everyone who has or works with autistic children/adults

Somewhere between three and four stars. If you do not love pets and / or kids, deduct one star for each non-liked subject.

As a pet owner and parent, I know how fascinating these topics are to us personally, but also remember from my single years how tedious these subjects can be to the non-fan.

Iris Grace is essentially a cute kid interacting with cute cat story, and it is a lengthy one with many details. The book could have been much shorter, but if you like the story, you will probably not mind the added detail. If you are a non-pet owner (or even a non-cat owner) and don't have kids, you will be tapping your feet by the end of the second chapter.

As a study of autism in a child, the story is also interesting, especially to those with autistic kids in their immediate or extended families. The moderately happy outcome here may of course not be applicable to many cases, but the singular facts here are appealing and encouraging.

As a model of how pets can help autistic kids, Iris Grace is maybe a tad optimistic, as the kitty here is an absolute genius, and a very patient and empathic cat. I've owned five cats in my life, and none of them were even half this smart or patient. Most became stupefied when they got a paper bag over their heads, and most had pretty modest patience with kids. So please do not read this and run out and get a cat to try to socialize an autistic child - this would be unfair to both cat and kid. The optimistic results here undoubtedly are pretty unique, but may have some general applicability in other specific cases.

The illustrations in the book are fascinating and well-done, and those, plus my generally fondness for kids and cats nudge this one into four star territory. Could have used far more aggressive editing though, but if you are part of the target audience here, this won't matter so much to you.

This book is wonderful! I could not put it down and was sad when I finished. Iris's story is a must read. Her parents are extraordinary.

Arabella Carter-Johnson’s daughter Iris Grace is on the autism spectrum; she is unpredictable in new situations, not very verbal, seemingly in her own shell, coming out of it only when she wants to.

One way Iris Grace expresses herself is through art, specifically painting. My review copy of Iris Grace contains black and white versions of a number of Iris Grace’s paintings.

As any parents would, Iris Grace’s parents, Arabella and PJ, work tirelessly to try to do what’s best for their child. Should she attend a regular school, be taught at home, or something else entirely? What therapies help Iris Grace?
Realizing that Iris Grace loves nature and animals and has done well with other families’ pets, her parents want to adopt a pet for her – but not just any pet. Because Iris is on the autism spectrum, the pet must meet very specific criteria. Thula, a Maine Coon cat, meets these criteria, and, once Thula comes to live with the family, Iris Grace and her cat are inseparable. Thula becomes important in Iris’s therapy. However, I’m disappointed in how much of this work takes place prior to Thula’s adoption; Thula’s mention in the subtitle makes readers want more about Thula than they actually get.

Overall, though, this work tells about a twice-exceptional child – gifted and autistic (her art IS a form of giftedness) – and how she and her parents cope. All parents and teachers could benefit from reading this work.

Reading a delightful book Iris Grace: How Thule the cat saved a little girl and her family by Arabella Carter-Johnson

Written by her mother in prose so artfully chosen as to approach poetry. For me such gifts of writing are best enjoyed when read aloud to loved ones.

At times I transition from weeping to full hearty belly laughs!

This book is a rare treasure that you simply must purchase in hardback and enjoy. The illustrations are priceless!

Mothers devotion to helping an autistic daughter

We love this book. Well written and beautiful story. We even bought a print and have it hanging on our wall

A very heartfelt book.