Wings of Epoh (Hope Backwards)

Wings of Epoh
It's a children's book, first of all. But Wings of Epoh, about a young boy with autism who befriends a butterfly named Epoh ("hope" spelled backward) is heart-rending and increasingly relevant in a time that sees the disorder on the rise across the country. (Oregon has 1/3 more children diagnosed this year than last year.) Mothers can (and should) read it to their little ones. The message is mighty: Spread your wings, share your talents and find courage in the face of adversity. This tenderly written (and gorgeously illustrated) book by acclaimed author and Holocaust survivor, Gerda Weissmann Klein, is a prime example of an empathetic voice linking to a kindred emotional experience in spare, elegant prose.