Every Brain Is Beautiful - A Book Review

From the moment I opened Every Brain Is Beautiful by Sara Furlong, I felt like I was being wrapped in the softest, most understanding hug. This gentle, heartwarming picture book is a treasure for all children—but especially for autistic children—because it embraces difference with pure honesty and love. The book doesn't push or preach. It simply is. And in that, it speaks volumes.

Sara Furlong’s writing is soothing, clear, and full of kindness. The story doesn’t follow a traditional narrative so much as it flows, almost like a lullaby. Each page introduces us to children with different ways of thinking, playing, and feeling—and every one of them is accepted exactly as they are. The message is simple, powerful, and essential: every single autistic person is different, and that’s okay. More than okay—it’s beautiful.

One part of the book that really stood out to me was a charming double-page spread showing Bunny and Puppy happily playing together with a model train set. They build tracks, giggle as the train zooms past, and share ideas in their own lovely way. On the same page, Kitty and Teddy are quietly doing their own thing—Kitty brushing the mane of a unicorn doll, and Teddy lining up some dinosaur figures. They’re not left out. They’re not lonely. They’re just content in their own play. That spread brought a lump to my throat. It captures something I wish every classroom, every playground, and every parent could understand: connection and joy look different for every child, and none of those ways are wrong.

The illustrations throughout the book are soft and full of personality. Each character feels real, not like a stereotype or symbol, but like a child you might know, or once were. The colors are calming, never overwhelming, and there's a quiet rhythm to how the story unfolds. It invites re-reading—especially on days when a child (or an adult) needs to be reminded that their way of being in the world is not just valid, but wonderful.

What I also love about Every Brain Is Beautiful is how it allows room for imagination. The unicorn, the dinosaurs, the train—they’re not just toys, but symbols of how different interests bring different kinds of joy. There’s no “right” way to play, just as there’s no one way to be autistic. The book respects the child's world and gently reassures them that their brain is exactly right for them.

This book would make a thoughtful gift for any child, but I especially recommend it for autistic children and their families. It’s a reminder that difference isn't something to overcome—it's something to celebrate. It also offers a quiet comfort to those who prefer to play alone, who feel big feelings, or who move through the world a little differently.

Every Brain Is Beautiful is more than a picture book—it’s a beautifully bound validation of identity. I’m so glad it exists.

Have you read it yet? What was your favourite page?