The Boy Who Loves to Lick the Wind

A touching story of friendship, told and illustrated with warmth and empathy.

The boy next door loves to lick the wind. “You should try it,” says his mum. “All the best winds are at the beach.”

And so begins an amazing afternoon by the sea for two boys. One doesn’t always speak with words and likes throwing stones – the other likes to collect shells and make sandcastles. But the sea works its magic and by the end of the day the boys discover they both love to lick the wind – together.

"What a kind, beautiful book.  The Boy Who Loves to Lick the Wind addresses autism with tact, wit and positivity. Recommended for anyone directly affected by autism – and for everyone else too." David Mitchell author, and translator of The Reason I Jump (now an award-winning feature film) 

"Beautifully illustrated...will help other children to be more understanding and accepting of autism." Temple Grandin, author of Thinking in Pictures 

"This book should be on every library shelf and in every classroom." Elizabeth Laird 

"What a joyous, beautifully written book that so lovingly and accurately describes the world of an autistic boy. I absolutely loved it." Chitra Ramaswamy, author and journalist 

"A wonderful story exploring friendship and the joy that comes from embracing each other's uniqueness.  Sensitively told, with joyful illustrations, this story captures both what it is like to be autistic and what it is like to be friends with someone with autism.  A powerful, heartfelt story which deserves to be read by many, many children.” Catherine Ward, author of The Emerald Forest 

"A joyous slice-of-life story where the lives of two different boys overlap exactly where friendship begins." Bruna de Luca, author of I’m Not Cute, I’m Dangerous

"This story about a friendship between a boy who likes to collect shells and another who doesn’t always speak with words, will help readers to understand autism spectrum disorder."

"This beautifully illustrated picture book story follows two boys, one with autism, as they share a seaside adventure of friendship and bonding. Through throwing stones, collecting shells, and licking the wind they find common ground and understanding. Suitable for children aged 4+, this subtle and inclusive story will help teachers discuss empathy and acceptance with EYFS and KS1 classes. Highly recommended."

"Written in a warm, lucid style that’s well suited to sharing and reading aloud, Yu Rong’s compelling, high-contrast illustrations add further depth and emotion — all of which adds up to a book that will speak to all children in beautiful ways."

"This is a touching and empathetic picture story book showing how friendship and acceptance grows through understanding. We hope it will help children and adults understand neuro-diverse traits and behaviour in themselves and others."

"The story, related and illustrated with great empathy, is an ideal way to introduce neurodivergence to primary school children."

"There’s no shortage of children’s books addressing themes of neurodiversity, but this one is particularly special thanks to the gorgeous illustration and tenderness of the text... The scenes of the two boys splashing around on the beach are so good you can almost feel the wind in your hair and taste the sea spray on your tongue. A story about empathy, acceptance and the joy of the seaside."

"A heart-warming, quiet yet powerful story about forming new friendships, playing in nature and embracing differences."

“This magical story of the bond that blossoms between an autistic boy who doesn’t always speak with words and his shell-collecting neighbour radiates empathy and the joy of friendship."

"The blossoming friendship, which is at the very heart of the book, is beautifully captured in the loose-limbed freedom of the expressive illustrations... It’s a great big hug of a book that promotes kindness and empathy through great storytelling. And it invites readers to be curious and open to differences, just like the boy in the story."

"Fiona Carswell has an autistic son, so she knows what she is writing about in this her first book, though she does a lot of other writing in her work in book promotion. She also promotes Autism Awareness Week in Scotland every year, and there is a page at the back explaining about autism, and how some people are different, but she emphasises that we are all different from each other in some ways. Yu Rong’s illustrations have twice been shortlisted for the Yoto Kate Greenaway/Carnegie Medal, in 2022 and 2023, and she illustrates this story of inclusivity and friendship with warmth and sensitivity."

Fiona Carswell is the mother of two boys – one autistic and the other neurotypical – and lives in East Lothian, Scotland. By day, she is a publicist in the Arts & Books sector, promoting (other people’s) books, literary prizes, book festivals, cultural projects, venues and events, in between school runs, swimming lessons and cooking up endless batches of macaroni cheese to fill two hungry boys.

Yu Rong has degrees in Chinese Painting and Contemporary Art from Nanjing Normal University and in Communication and Design from the Royal College of Art, London. Deeply versed in traditional Chinese art, she has won numerous international awards including the BIB Golden Apple and the Chen Bochui International Children's Literature Award. Yu Rong's books include Snowflake in my Pocket (with Rachel Bright), Tracks of a Panda (with Nick Dawson) and Shu Lin's Grandpa (with Matt Goodfellow, Otter-Barry Books), shortlisted for the Yoto Kate Greenaway Medal 2022. Yu Rong lives in Cambridgeshire.

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