Celebrating Autism Awareness Month

In the spirit of friendship, awareness, and acceptance, Barnes & Noble stores across the country sponsored events about understanding autism in April 2008.  Most centered around the book Since We’re Friends by Celeste Shally and featured a special Storytime dedicated to talking with young children about how to be a friend to someone who is different.  Many stores took the opportunity to partner with local schools, special education departments, and autism organizations.

“We are pleased with the response from both booksellers and customers,” says Sarah DiFrancesco, director of community relations, “We can’t thank them enough for supporting this initiative.”  Throughout the country, about 8,500 children and their families attended these special events and celebrated Autism Awareness Month with us.

	The Storytime group at our Grandville, MI, store learned about autism.
	Miles, a therapy dog who forms special friendships with autistic children, visited our store in Austin, TX.
	In Tustin, CA, kids participated in an interactive Storytime.
	Co-anchor of My 9 News, Brenda Blackman read Since We're Friends at the Clifton, NJ, store.