Book Review and #Giveaway - Artism: The Art of Autism

I am pleased to be reviewing Artism: The Art of Autism as part of #Autism Awareness Month.  And even more pleased to be able to give away one copy to a lucky reader!
 


From the Publisher:


Artism: The Art of Autism offers an incredible glimpse into the imaginative world of people on the autism spectrum. With 54 artists from around the world representing all ages, the book shows that autism has no boundaries and manifests differently in each person diagnosed. At once inspiring and myth defying, the art spans a range of emotion and subject material. This is a must read for those who are interested in the creative potential of the human mind.
My Review:
As a mom of a preschooler with Autism, this book gives me both hope for the creativity locked inside my child and an understanding of what modes that creativity can take.  I love how rich and evocative some of the art is, and how painstakingly detailed and precise others are.  This book contains art from children and adults who are on all parts of the Autism spectrum and who all see the world in a completely different way.  One of the things I love most about the book is that you get biographies of each of the artists and glimpses into how and why autism impacts their art and their world.  Just like with every other gift, not all people on the spectrum will be artistic, but Artism showcases many who are, and shares a glimpse into each person's world.
I also love that there are artists featured from around the world and from across the spectrum.  This book is a beautiful work of art in itself and is made more personal for me because of the wonderful group of artists that it has opened my eyes to.
The book is 144 pages, 12 x 9 inches with 218 full-color illustrations and 4 essays by experts in the field. Priced at $34.95 this book makes a perfect gift for someone to display on their coffee table.
About the Author

Debra Hosseini is a mom of three children. Her youngest child, Kevin, is featured in this book. After Kevin was diagnosed with autism at age four, Debra left her full-time career as a computer analyst to become a stay at home mom and has dedicated her time to creating a better world for children and individuals with disabilities. Debra was a founding board member with several organizations that serve individuals with autism and developmental disabilities in Santa Barbara and Carpinteria, California. She now writes and curates art exhibits for people with autism and developmental disabilities.

This book is available for purchase at http://artismtoday.com

You can also win your copy here on Acting Balanced:
The Giveaway:
Rules:
Giveaway is open to US and Canadian Residents only
Mandatory Entry must be completed before other entries count.
Each entry must be made as a SEPARATE COMMENT
Giveaway will end on May 10th, 2011 at 11:59 PM and 
the winner will be chosen by Random.org, announced on Acting Balanced 
and contacted by email.
The winner will have 48 hours to claim their prize.


Mandatory Entry:
Visit artismtoday.com and tell me why you want to win this book or what you learned from the website
Bonus Entries:

+2 Bonus Entry - Follow Artism on Twitter (leave twitter name)
+2 Bonus Entry - Like The Art of Autism on Facebook 
+1 Bonus Entry - Follow Acting Balanced/Chascouponmom on Twitter (leave twitter name)
+1 Bonus Entry - Follow Acting Balanced on Google Friend Connect
+1 Bonus Entry - Like Acting Balanced on Facebook 
+1 Bonus Entry - Subscribe to Acting Balanced by email (must be completed)
+1 Bonus Entry - Grab my Autism Awareness Month event button and tell me were it is
+1 Bonus Entry - Add this giveaway to any giveaway linky and leave me the blog post's URL (3 maximum)
+3 Bonus Entry - Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link to your post
on your blog
+1 Bonus Entry - Leave a NEW comment on any non-contest post (maximum 2 per day)
+1 tweet this phrase (up to 3x per day, at least 2 hours apart)
"#WIN Artism The Art of Autism from @chascouponmom at Acting Balanced  #AUTISM  #giveaway ends 5/10