Review #1
Reviewed by: Dr. Bob Rich - "The Australian Journal of Counselling Psychology" (number 7(2), page 16) has published a review of my book 'Stumbling upon my purpose'.
Published by: www.masterpiecefactory.com
ISBN: 1-897347-03-0
RRP: $17.49
I am a professional editor as well as a psychologist. Also, I am a professional grandfather, with a love of children. So, the little editing job I received via email was just right: a picture book for very young children who suffer from handicaps of communication.
The concept and story line were excellent, but clearly this writer was very close to illiterate. Still, I knocked the language into shape for him.
Since that first little book, I have worked closely with Chris Chaplin on a long list of projects: more picture books, chapter books to be read to older handicapped children, the design and wording of his web site www.masterpiecefactory.com (dedicated to helping multiple-handicapped children), and finally, on a book about how he coped with the problems caused by his son's haemophilia and severe autism this book.
By the time Chris wrote Stumbling Upon My Purpose, his use of English was excellent. In his own way, this black man from the ghetto (his own description) is a genius. He is certainly very good at learning, and incredibly creative.
The book starts as a very touching, beautifully written story of how Chris coped with little Christopher's problems, how he developed his own unique approach to doing far more than managing them: he has helped the boy to make gains that The Professionals would not believe. Time and again, Chris defied doctors, educators and other experts, went his own way and succeeded.
But the book is not primarily biography. It is an inspiration and example to others who carry the load of caring for a handicapped child. While it is a sample of one, Chris is careful to point out that it is meant to be used as a starting point in developing a unique approach for a unique child. I think it is brilliant for this purpose.
Many parents despair, feel resentful at fate, and buckle under the strain. Well, all of us are likely to do so from time to time. I am sure Chris has. However, he is a shining example of how to turn adversity into an opportunity for personal growth, giving and love.
The second half of this little volume contains poems and short essays by Chris on a variety of relevant topics, and an outline of the contribution his various other books can make to the education of a multiple-handicapped child.
Review #2
Reviewed by: Jan Kovarik Copy Editor
Published by: www.masterpiecefactory.com
ISBN: 1-897347-03-0
RRP: $17.49
My association with the author, Christopher Chaplin, started when he approached me with a request to help him. He had a unique idea about writing children's books, an untapped market for these books, a definite goal…and neither the writing skills nor the money to make it happen. The only true possession he had was passion, and he convinced me to accept the challenge to help him “find his voice.” His passion fueled my own passion to become his writing coach, editor, and ultimately his friend.
Stumbling Upon My Purpose is a story about a man faced with having a bi-racial son born with medical and psychological disorders, separation and then divorce from his son's mother, no money, no job, and the discovery that there were no social services available to help him cope with his son's emotional needs. Christopher managed to overcome these adversities by succeeding in creating an environment that is helping his son to overcome autism. It is from this environment that Christopher has created a series of clever and colorful children's books aimed at helping parents of children with medical, physical, and emotional challenges to cope with their own adversities. Christopher not only stumbled upon his purpose, but he also found his voice. It is a voice that is worth listening to.
Review #3
Reviewed by: Frances Savella Honours BSc, BEd, Specialist in Special
Education Teacher Toronto District School Board
Published by: www.masterpiecefactory.com
ISBN: 1-897347-03-0
RRP: $17.49
Stumbling Upon My Purpose is an inspiring and reviting account of a father’s relentless will to help his much needy son against all odds. This is a heartfelt story of a father, already struggling with many obstacles including financial burdens, racial issues, an uneventful childhood and a divorce, who gives up his own personal freedoms to enrich his son’s life, who is diagnosed with Autism and Hemophilia, through a variety of unconventional methods. It’s a story that will teach and inspire anyone who believes “they can’t do it.”
Review #4
Reviewed by: A.LaRocque-Rooney ECE, CYW, DSW
Published by: www.masterpiecefactory.com
ISBN: 1-897347-03-0
RRP: $17.49
Stumbling Upon My Purpose
Is a brief autobiographical account of this parents struggle to cope and understand his child’s autism and hemophilia. The author takes the reader through his determination to learn the roots of Autism and the coping mechanisms for both himself and his young son.
This remarkable story is an inspiration for other care-givers to expand their knowledge, and develop much needed coping and teaching skills to help those with Autism and Hemophilia The analogies are sensitive and thought provoking. Several poems speak volumes of the vast emotions and feelings the author has endured.
Parents can take solace in the knowledge they are not alone, that other face similar challenges.
The remainder of this book gives a further detailed view of each of the works written for children of all capacities, each bearing the unique stamp of Christopher Chaplin’s personal insight.
A.LaRocque-Rooney, ECE, CYW, DSW

By Christopher A. Chaplin
Review #1
Reviewed by: Dr. Bob Rich
Publisher: MasterpieceFactory Inc.
ISBN-10: 1897347014
ISBN-13: 978-1897347010
This beautifully illustrated book automatically attracts the attention to little children. The story line is inherently entertaining for them, and will get frequent chuckles from the adult reading it for the small child.
However, this is far more than the usual kids’ picture book. Without ever lecturing, it provides a model for how to treat a child who is not (or not yet) capable of exercising self-discipline and restraint. When the rather oddly named little boy Bodola causes his mother endless worry and inconvenience, she reacts without anger or abuse, but rather corrects the situation and uses gentle corrective action to teach her son the lesson he needs. Patience and love are used instead of harsh discipline.
I have not previously come across a Train Butler. That must be the Canadian equivalent of a conductor, and when reading the story to my little friends, I made that translation. Other than this, I have no criticism of this lovely little addition to any pre-schooler’s home library.
Review #2
Reviewed by: Jody Felske (Teacher)
Publisher: MasterpieceFactory Inc.
ISBN-10: 1897347014
ISBN-13: 978-1897347010
Bodola is a fun and cheery story that illustrates some of the difficulties that a mother and her child that has attention deficits and compulsive behaviours face. Bodola wants more than anything to go to the store on his own like his peers do, and when his mother finally allows this, a possibly dangerous adventure ensues. The author captures Bodola’s mother’s anxiety in dealing with the situation, and offers a solution to the problem as well.
Once again, the author/art director, along with illustrator Teodora Sirko, has come up with rich illustrations with which children and parents can extrapolate. The ending of this story leaves the reader wondering what adventures Bodola might find himself partaking in next, as surely will be found in Chaplin’s future books.
Jody Felske Intermediate Teacher (Toronto District School Board)
Review #3
Reviewed by: Frances Savella Honours BSc, BEd, Specialist in Special
Education Teacher Toronto District School Board
Publisher: MasterpieceFactory Inc.
ISBN-10: 1897347014
ISBN-13: 978-1897347010
Bodola: Chips & Pop is a creatively written and illustrated story of a boy with ADHD/ Autism who embarks on an adventure of independence to buy his favorite snack; chips and pop. This beautifully crafted story captures the essence of what many children with ADHD experience; navigating through a world saturated with sounds, sights, smells, tastes and textures while concurrently dealing with preoccupations and preservations that can hold a child with ADHD prisoner. This inspiring story appeals to adults and children alike and teaches very important lessons of tolerance, acceptance and determination. Bodola: Chips and Pop clearly shows that with understanding and perseverance, we can all overcome our weaknesses.
Review #4
Reviewed by: Lisa Lorraine khan (ECE)
Bodola is a wacky, uniquely illustrated adventure story about a young boy striving for independence. This story is fast paced and the illustrations are very stimulating to the eye which provoked my audience to ask many question and make keen observations.
The children enjoyed the dynamic suspense the story offers as they waited, wondered and made interesting predictions about the outcome of Bodola’a adventure. This story was indeed the children’s favourite!
The story supports the development of language skills, as the writer has cleverly incorporated a number of “action words” to encourage little listeners to repeat.
The storyline had the children engaged from beginning to end!
Christopher Chaplin is an author who clearly demonstrates an understanding of child development! Bodola tells the story of an A.D.H.D. child’s impulsive behaviour using humour, beautiful illustrations, fun language, suspense and adventure.

By Christopher A. Chaplin
There are no reviews for this book yet.

By Christopher A. Chaplin
Review #1
Reviewed by: A.LaRocque-Rooney ECE, CYW, DSW
A well written “True to life” of what happens to most couples who learn that their child may not be what most call “typical”. The story “We Are Going To Do It!” deals with situations many parents of Autistic children may encounter. The illustrations are full of life and color, and detailed enough to create conversation with children who listen to, and read this story over and over again.
I had the opportunity to share this well written book with young children who have autism and the response is very positive and requested reading time and again.
A.LaRocque-Rooney ECE, CYW, DSW
Review #2
Reviewed by: Jody Felske Intermediate Teacher (Teacher)
We’re Going to do It! is a wonderful, inspiring story of new parents learning of their first child’s dual diagnosis of hemophilia and autism. The author, Chris Chaplin, shares the strife and sorrow that accompanied this personal situation, and lends encouragement to other parents who may face similar difficulties. This book also serves as an effective vehicle through which children’s questions about these two conditions can be delicately answered.
Through creative descriptions (Nurse Prick-Helps, Dr. Fix-Your-Head) and dynamic illustrations, the story invites the reader to learn about what little Christopher has to deal with, along with his parents. This book would be a wonderful addition to any home or school library, with its meaningful story and rich, lively language.
Jody Felske Intermediate Teacher (Toronto District School Board)
Review #3
Reviewed by: Frances Savella Honours BSc, BEd, Specialist in Special
Education Teacher Toronto District School Board
We’re Going To Do It is a heart-warming, true account of a couples struggle with the acceptance that their new baby boy has been dually diagnosed with Autism and Hemophilia. Feeling the financial and emotional strain, dad and mom decide to separate and dad takes primary care of Christopher who visits his mom regularly. Christopher’s self-abusive behaviours, lack of emotional connectedness, sensory issues, fears of people and open spaces and reluctance to touch becomes the driving force that propels dad to use Christopher’s gifts to work diligently and relentlessness in allowing Christopher to live a joyful, fearless and wholesome existence. This is a must read! It is a testimonial that all one needs to make a difference is love, determination and an unrelentless will to beat the odds. This heartfelt story will touch your heart and inspire encouragement and faith!
Frances Savella Honours BSc, BEd, Specialist in Special
Education Teacher Toronto District School Board
Review #4
Reviewed by: Lisa Lorraine khan (ECE)
I have had the pleasure of supporting many parents over the years as an Early Childhood Educator and Administrator of a large daycare centre, in coming to terms with a diagnosis of autism. Parents often have difficulties in accepting that their child is not "perfect" and will at times go through a long phase of denial. We as professionals, support the parent by lending a shoulder to cry on, providing resources and working with their child at the centre with the aide of Resource Teachers and consultants from various agencies. This book will be added to the resource package that I will offer to parents as they face the challenges ahead.
We’re Going to Do It is written in simple language with captivating illustrations that can be read to children as young as two and a half. It depicts the birth of Christopher in a responsible manner appropriate for a young audience. It is “real” without being unnecessarily graphic.
This story is inspirational to parents who have had to face the same challenges and a comfort in knowing that they are not isolated in their emotional responses to their circumstances. For an autistic child the same holds true as they will probably relate to the same fears and anxieties that little Christopher demonstrates in the story.



By Christopher A. Chaplin
Review #1
Reviewed by: Lisa Lorraine khan (ECE) says,
The author uses the power of repetition as he introduces a clever phrase to help his daughter overcome her anxiety when having to face the challenge of making a new friend.
As I shared this story with a small group of kinder gardeners, I was delighted by their response. The children were attentive, perceptive (they quickly observed the characters from another of Chaplin’s books in the illustrations) and provoked to ask questions. They eagerly repeated the phrase “act alive and say high five” as the story was read and throughout the afternoon.
Mr. Chaplin has uniquely provided, through this story, an innovative way to help a child learn a new social skill which may inspire parents and teachers to follow suit when dealing with introverted children.
Review #2
Reviewed by: Heather Wilson, (RMT, PSW) says,
"Act Alive and Say High-Five" is a book written with the goal in mind of helping a shy girl face the fear and anxiety of dealing with the outside world. Her father is able to help her come up with a new way of responding to strangers that opens her up to the possibility of making new friends in a way that she can feel comfortable doing. A heart warming, beautiful, fun and above all else; do able.


Comments
Caroline Ganz (parent). says
"You have uncovered the treasure of life - thanks for persevering and revealing this truth to others."
Andree Perreault (ECE and perent of a ADHD child). says
"This book is a true inspiring story of courage, unconditional love and determination against all odds."
Tara Stephen (teacher). says
"Christopher A. Chaplin has filled a niche for the parents, siblings, teachers, caregivers and classmates of special needs children. It was a joy to stumble onto picture books that clearly explain and creatively illustrate the perspective of parent and child. The world of autism, ADHD and other diagnoses can challenge and baffle those who come in contact with them each day. Chaplin's stories are written in such a way as to allow the reader to gently enter this unique world. They are a comfortable read-aloud with plenty of opportunity for discussion at the level of the listener.
Sharing from his own experiences, Chaplin’s books are an invaluable educational tool for families and teachers trying to understand the difficulties these precious little ones may encounter in a seemingly ordinary daily routine. Every school, daycare and doctors office should have copies as a gentle way to inform and educate adults, and to sensitively answer the questions of children."
Tara Stephen
-Literacy Co-ordinator & Elementary Teacher with Toronto District School Board
-President of Centennial Child Care Centre Board of Directors
- Mother of three