AN INITIATIVE OF THE REED FOUNDATION FOR AUTISM
Free Teaching Guide Available!
Click here to download lesson plans and activities.
Meet the Team
Book Developers
Jay Miletsky
Author
Luis Peres
Illustrator
Clinical Advisors
Kelli Fowler
MA, BCBA
Joseph Novak
EdD, BCBA-D, CCC-SLP, ATP
The “One Big Canvas” book series seeks to celebrate differences, showcasing how each individual, regardless of his or her own unique qualities, can be an integral part of a much larger picture.
Autism is a highly prevalent and often misunderstood neurological disability. Our hope is that these positive and engaging children’s stories will promote acceptance, understanding, and kindness for all.
The Masterpiece (Book #1), written by Jay Miletsky & illustrated by Luis Peres
Join a spunky collection of paintbrushes as they set out to create a grand masterpiece. When some of the brushes don’t cooperate, is it because they are misbehaving…or is there another reason entirely? In this story, an initiative of REED Foundation for Autism, young readers are introduced to some of the behavioral differences in their peers with autism.
Without ever mentioning any particular challenge or disability by name, this story helps children recognize and understand what autism is, and impress upon them the importance of showing kindness to those who are different, wrapped into a fun story with lighthearted, engaging characters.
Written in verse, The Masterpiece combines the lyrical rhythm of Dr. Seuss, with the playfulness of Mo Willems, in a bright, colorful fantasy world where all people, regardless of their differences, prove to be an important part of the community canvas.
Learn more about the Making of the Masterpiece and the “One Big Canvas” series.
Check out some of our 5-star reviews!
Click here to read more.
Amazing artwork! An even more amazing message of inclusion. Our world needs more books like this to teach kids to accept everyone for who they are. Highly recommend. It’s a high quality book.
As a fourth grade teacher, I am constantly looking for books that will both entertain and make my students think and grow as people. The message of this story – in which the behavior of some of the brushes might be considered disruptive or non-cooperative, but the other brushes react calmly and kindly – is presented in such a matter of fact way as it demonstrates and models appropriate and kind behavior.
Sweet rhyming book about embracing each other’s differences and working together. The illustrations are engaging and beautiful. I love how it so subtly touches on big topics and makes points without having to say it outright. It lets the kids piece things together and infer for themselves.
I just got finished reading the Masterpiece to my 11-month old. While it’s sold as a children’s book, the messages and lessons from the story are completely universal. As an elementary educator, it can be challenging to address student exceptionalities in a way that is relatable and easy to digest. This book is the perfect tool to remind students that our differences should not only be accepted but celebrated.
This is a perfect book for preschoolers through adults to introduce and relate to children with different abilities. The characters are so sweet and the metaphor of paintbrushes, each unique, creating a “masterpiece” is positive and poignant!!
The “One Big Canvas” book series seeks to celebrate differences, showcasing how each individual, regardless of his or her own unique qualities, can be an integral part of a much larger picture.
Autism is a highly prevalent and often misunderstood neurological disability. Our hope is that these positive and engaging children’s stories will promote acceptance, understanding, and kindness for all.
The Masterpiece (Book #1), written by Jay Miletsky & illustrated by Luis Peres
Join a spunky collection of paintbrushes as they set out to create a grand masterpiece. When some of the brushes don’t cooperate, is it because they are misbehaving…or is there another reason entirely? In this story, an initiative of REED Foundation for Autism, young readers are introduced to some of the behavioral differences in their peers with autism.
Without ever mentioning any particular challenge or disability by name, this story helps children recognize and understand what autism is, and impress upon them the importance of showing kindness to those who are different, wrapped into a fun story with lighthearted, engaging characters.
Written in verse, The Masterpiece combines the lyrical rhythm of Dr. Seuss, with the playfulness of Mo Willems, in a bright, colorful fantasy world where all people, regardless of their differences, prove to be an important part of the community canvas.
Learn more about the Making of the Masterpiece and the “One Big Canvas” series.
Check out some of our 5-star reviews!
Click here to read more.
Amazing artwork! An even more amazing message of inclusion. Our world needs more books like this to teach kids to accept everyone for who they are. Highly recommend. It’s a high quality book.
As a fourth grade teacher, I am constantly looking for books that will both entertain and make my students think and grow as people. The message of this story – in which the behavior of some of the brushes might be considered disruptive or non-cooperative, but the other brushes react calmly and kindly – is presented in such a matter of fact way as it demonstrates and models appropriate and kind behavior.
Sweet rhyming book about embracing each other’s differences and working together. The illustrations are engaging and beautiful. I love how it so subtly touches on big topics and makes points without having to say it outright. It lets the kids piece things together and infer for themselves.
I just got finished reading the Masterpiece to my 11-month old. While it’s sold as a children’s book, the messages and lessons from the story are completely universal. As an elementary educator, it can be challenging to address student exceptionalities in a way that is relatable and easy to digest. This book is the perfect tool to remind students that our differences should not only be accepted but celebrated.
This is a perfect book for preschoolers through adults to introduce and relate to children with different abilities. The characters are so sweet and the metaphor of paintbrushes, each unique, creating a “masterpiece” is positive and poignant!!
Free Teaching Guide Available!
Click here to download lesson plans and activities.
Meet the Team
Book Developers
Jay Miletsky
Author
Luis Peres
Illustrator
Clinical Advisors
Kelli Fowler
MA, BCBA
Joseph Novak
EdD, BCBA-D, CCC-SLP, ATP