Bowen Bartholomew Crisp is a thinker. He’s not a fast thinker however, needing time to consider a question and all the possible answers carefully.

When he is five he is asked the colour of the ocean. Bowen thinks about his answer. The ocean is many colours from when it’s clear stretched out across the sand to white tipped waves, green-blue deep water and then down to blacker than black far below.

His teacher has moved onto someone else’s stretched up hand.

When asked his thoughts at seven, his mind fills with a dozen thoughts and wonderings, but again, he doesn’t get to voice them.

Again and again as he grows, Bowen sees, thinks, feels and ponders so much more than those around him. Some dismiss it and some nuture it, allowing Bowen to shine.

His mum is one of these special people, watching and understanding the ways he processes problems and possibilities. She already knows what he will discover when fully grown. His differences will make a difference in the world – providing solutions no-one has even dreamed of.

I loved the way The Incredibly Busy Mind of Bartholomew Crisp is told in first person. We get to know Bowen and how he thinks. He ponders questions given him seriously, but like any child also wonders about the weird and wonderful world around him.

The ocean may be made up of a myriad of colours, but is a zebra black with white stripes, or white with black stripes?

As he grows we see stages of his life and how his way of seeing the world frustrates him or distances him from others. His mum however is watching from the wings, always there for support and understanding when he needs it. This allows Bowen to finally see that being different provides his special place in the world.

Beautifully illustrated in coloured pencil, Bowen’s story is perfect to kick off discussion about differences, empathy, understanding and acceptance of others around you. Gorgeous!

Author – Paul Russell

Illustrator – Nicky Johnston

Picture Book

See Teachers Notes here

See another book by this incredible Author/Illustrator duo

(Click on the cover)

(2021, EK Books, Exisle Publishing, Growing up, Understanding, Empathy, Differences, Questions, Answers, Wonder, School, Acceptance, Embracing differences, Self Esteem, Fitting in, ADHD, Resilience, Emotions)