Bernie Thinks in Boxes by Jess Horn illustrated by Zoe Bennett

Bernie keeps a sense of control over her life by putting the things in her world into boxes in her mind. She has a school box filled with the classmates, the teacher and school routines and equipment. She has Nanna box filled with the enjoyment of shared times at Nanna's house, nighttime stories and the love of Nanna's dog. She even has boxes for meals - certain things belong in each meal box - breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Inevitably there comes a day when her boxes are disrupted. Bernie sees her teacher at the grocery store. 

"Bernie did not talk to Miss Williams that day."

Mum gives her eggs for dinner.

"Bernie had gone to bed hungry that night."

Then comes the biggest problem of all. Toby from school is having his birthday party at the park. 

"But the park was where Bernie played with Molly. Molly was in Bernie's Park Box. Her school friends were not. And nor were parties."

The whole situation is way too overwhelming for Bernie and she just runs away from the party. How can she make this up to her friend Toby? Is there a way to do something at school that is "just a little bit outside the box"?

At times I think I am a little like Bernie. I do like order and I do look for patterns and I do tend to group things into categories or compartments. I am also sometimes puzzled when friends do this to me - putting their own friends into groups. While I hear about these other people I am never 'allowed' to meet them - sorry I am not expressing this very well. I guess in some ways even as an adult I related to young Bernie. Is she shy or 'on the spectrum' or perhaps autistic? I don't think that matters. This is a book many younger children will relate to and for others it might give them a glimpse into the life of a classmate who reacts differently. 

I am really glad we have this book to share with groups of young children and also side by side with a young reader. I do hope it is a CBCA Early Childhood notable and perhaps even makes the shortlist. Jess Horn talks about her book with Paperbark Words. This is a debut picture book for Jess Horn. She also talks about her book here with JustKidLit. 

I previously talked about Ruby's Repair Cafe illustrated by Zoe Bennett. 

Bernie Thinks in Boxes is a beautifully told story and a valuable conversation starter that encourages and empowers children to embrace their individuality. In a picture book market where the topic of diversity is being widely recognised, Bernie Thinks in Boxes is a standout. Story Links

These companion books that show it is okay to sort things into categories but of course Bernie thinks in boxes also shows that being flexible and thinking about things in a different way does not have to be too scary. We all have to cope with change in our lives.

All Sorts

What's inside?