What Color is Monday? by Carrie Cariello

One day last fall Jack asked me, “What color do you see for Monday?” as I heaved a chicken into the oven. “What?” I said distractedly, turning from the oven to slice some potatoes at the counter. It was late afternoon, and I was preparing dinner while also managing the demands of homework and tired toddlers. “Do you see days as colors?”

Raising five children would be challenge enough for most parents, but when one of them has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, the adventures become even more fascinating. In this moving--and often funny--memoir, author Carrie Cariello invites us to take a peek into exactly what it takes to get through each day with four boys and one girl, and shows us the beauty and wonder of a child who views the world through a different lens. ~~ synopsis from Goodreads

My thoughts about What Color is Monday? ~~

Let me preface my thoughts about this amazing book by giving you a little background about me. I have always been interested in children with special needs. I started volunteering while in high school and started college with the intention of becoming a special ed teacher. Long story short, that didn't happen but I did continue working with special needs children and adults for many years.

Needless to say, this is an area that has always held my interest, and my heart. Autism is on the rise and affects more and more children and families every year. I have a very dear friend whose son is autistic and I am sure everyone reading this has also been touched by it, either directly as a family member or by knowing someone who has autism in their lives.

Carrie has written this incredible and inspiring story about her family which consists of mom, dad, and their 5 children, one of whom, Jack, who was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. I had 4 children myself so I know how challenging that can be, in of itself. Then you add a child who needs extra attention to the mix and life can become difficult.

I love marking parts of the books I read that really speak to me. And there were so many in this book. Here are a just a few I marked.

'Although bound together by a spectrum disorder diagnosis, autistic people are essentially like snowflakes: all similar yet essentially unique.'

I love that - like snowflakes!!

'From that point forward I resolved to never reduce Jack to a mere paper boy, but instead to spring him to life in all of his autistic glory, to really see him for who he is. Because underneath all of the diagnostic testing and medical terminology was a beautiful, sweet boy struggling to shine. Behind the relentless stimming, the horrific tantrums, and - perhaps worst of all - the silence, was my Jack.

As his mother, it's my job to make sure the world sees him too.'

It's nice to have Mom in there fighting for you, isn't it?

'He's beautiful inside and out, even on paper.'

And the following is something we should all aspire to, every day: show up, stand up, and stretch without breaking.

'But then I take a deep breath and remember: that's life with a special needs kiddo. Every day you have to show up, stand up, and stretch without breaking.'

And this one ~~

'I've learned to notice things I might not otherwise see.'

And I love quirky!

'All in all, we're a quirky group. I guess the question is this: where does quirky end and autism end?'

What Color is Monday? is an amazing look at an amazing family and is an inspiration to all of us that life is good and autism, while challenging, can enrich lives.

About the author

I live in Southern New Hampshire with my husband, Joe, and our five children.

My four boys and one daughter range in age from three to nine. And no, my daughter is not the fifth child. She is the fourth. We thought she was our last but sometimes urologists cancel important appointments, so there you have it.

My second son, Jack, has autism. A lot of times he makes me laugh, sometimes he makes me cry, but mostly he just makes me watch and wonder.

Right now I stay home with my children. Once again there’s lots of laughter and some crying, but mostly it’s great fun. Until it’s not.

I’ve just started writing a book called What Color is Monday?, chronicling our colorful life with an autistic child.

In my past life, I earned an MBA from Canisius College in the fabulous city of Buffalo, New York and worked in marketing for a company called Lehigh Construction Group, Inc.

I cannot live without books, Bikram yoga, or date night.

Connect with Carrie

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

Buy the book

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Publication Date: April 22, 2013
Publisher: Riddle Brook Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-9847927-3-3
Price: $16.00
Pages: 228

A portion of the proceeds from
What Color is Monday?
will be donated to Autism Speaks

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