Overview
Chef Antonio is a warm and engaging children's story that celebrates friendship, inclusion, and self confidence. Antonio feels most at home in the kitchen, where cooking allows him to express his creativity and strengths. With the support of his friend Dontay, Antonio discovers that his unique way of experiencing the world is something to be celebrated. Written for families and educators, Chef Antonio highlights social emotional themes such as empathy, acceptance, and belonging, and encourages meaningful conversations about honoring what makes each child unique. This strengths-based book about a neurodivergent child exemplifies that all children are born with gifts that can be nurtured despite any challenges.
Full Product Details
Author: Charlotte Charles
Publisher: Leaning Rock Press LLC
Imprint: Leaning Rock Press LLC
Dimensions:
Width: 20.30cm
, Height: 0.60cm
, Length: 25.40cm
Weight: 0.349kg
ISBN: 9781960596789
ISBN 10: 1960596780
Pages: 34
Publication Date: 07 March 2026
Recommended Age: From 3 to 10 years
Audience:
Children/juvenile
,
Children / Juvenile
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: In Print
This item will be ordered in for you from one of our suppliers. Upon receipt, we will promptly dispatch it out to you. For in store availability, please contact us.
Reviews
""Books about Autistic children are often written from a deficit perspective. As a therapist and special education specialist, I'm so excited to have this strengths-based book about a neurodivergent child to share with the parents I work with. This book exemplifies that all children are born with gifts that can be nurtured despite any challenges. "" - F. Taína Amaro, LCSW, PMH-C ""I love Chef Antonio. The story beautifully captures the nuance between his clear strengths and the real obstacles he faces. It offers an honest, compassionate portrayal of navigating neurodivergence through taught skills, support, and self-awareness, without minimizing the challenges or the triumphs."" - Lori Thulen, LCSW ""This is a wonderful story. Short and sweet with lots of thoughtfulness. It's relatable to everyone that feels misunderstood and how true friendship begins. A joyful read indeed."" - Rick Olejarz, Retired USAF
Author Information
Charlotte Charles is the pen name of Mary Cristofaro, who was born and raised in Hartford, Connecticut. A proud mother of two beautiful children, Mary draws much of her inspiration from both her life as a parent and her career as a special education teacher in a public school district. The inspiration for this Chef Antonio story comes especially from her son Antonio, who is on the autism spectrum and has a deep love for cooking. Through her writing, Mary hopes to celebrate creativity, inclusion, and the joy of embracing individual strengths and passions.
