Shine Artist's Book by Amber Stoner
This piece is featured in the February 2025 issue of The Fore Edge, a quarterly newsletter from MCBA that highlights new artist’s books and zines for collections, universities, and libraries. If you are interested in receiving this newsletter, there is a sign up available here. Past featured pieces can be viewed here.
“I wrote Shine to try to explain what it means to be differently abled in this world. As a late-diagnosed autistic person, I'm still trying to figure that out. This book holds anger, acceptance and joy. The Japanese stab binding references the ladder in the story. The gold of the calligraphy on the cover represents autism (the chemical symbol for gold is Au). The back cover represents solid support. The font is Garamond (my favorite), except for the ladder climber comments which are in Arial, a common, typical font.
Shine is a little awkward, which is appropriate, until you figure out how to hold it. Hold Shine in your left hand, letting the spine nestle in your palm, with your fingers along the solid back and your thumb resting on the front. Turn the pages with your right hand, crease them open, if needed. Alternately, rest Shine on a table or your lap and read one page at a time.
Shine is printed on ivory paper with one paragraph on each page and plenty of space for resting, slowing down, and even rereading. I reread Shine every time I make a batch of books. This book is how I hope to be, a reminder to me of how I’ve struggled and to say ‘no’ with no shame because I often forget.
This book is for autistic people, the people who love them, and anyone who wants to better understand different experiences.” - Amber Dawn Stoner
3” x 11”
*Consignment item. Not eligible for 10% membership discount. All consignment purchases are final and non-refundable once shipped.
This piece is featured in the February 2025 issue of The Fore Edge, a quarterly newsletter from MCBA that highlights new artist’s books and zines for collections, universities, and libraries. If you are interested in receiving this newsletter, there is a sign up available here. Past featured pieces can be viewed here.
“I wrote Shine to try to explain what it means to be differently abled in this world. As a late-diagnosed autistic person, I'm still trying to figure that out. This book holds anger, acceptance and joy. The Japanese stab binding references the ladder in the story. The gold of the calligraphy on the cover represents autism (the chemical symbol for gold is Au). The back cover represents solid support. The font is Garamond (my favorite), except for the ladder climber comments which are in Arial, a common, typical font.
Shine is a little awkward, which is appropriate, until you figure out how to hold it. Hold Shine in your left hand, letting the spine nestle in your palm, with your fingers along the solid back and your thumb resting on the front. Turn the pages with your right hand, crease them open, if needed. Alternately, rest Shine on a table or your lap and read one page at a time.
Shine is printed on ivory paper with one paragraph on each page and plenty of space for resting, slowing down, and even rereading. I reread Shine every time I make a batch of books. This book is how I hope to be, a reminder to me of how I’ve struggled and to say ‘no’ with no shame because I often forget.
This book is for autistic people, the people who love them, and anyone who wants to better understand different experiences.” - Amber Dawn Stoner
3” x 11”
*Consignment item. Not eligible for 10% membership discount. All consignment purchases are final and non-refundable once shipped.
This piece is featured in the February 2025 issue of The Fore Edge, a quarterly newsletter from MCBA that highlights new artist’s books and zines for collections, universities, and libraries. If you are interested in receiving this newsletter, there is a sign up available here. Past featured pieces can be viewed here.
“I wrote Shine to try to explain what it means to be differently abled in this world. As a late-diagnosed autistic person, I'm still trying to figure that out. This book holds anger, acceptance and joy. The Japanese stab binding references the ladder in the story. The gold of the calligraphy on the cover represents autism (the chemical symbol for gold is Au). The back cover represents solid support. The font is Garamond (my favorite), except for the ladder climber comments which are in Arial, a common, typical font.
Shine is a little awkward, which is appropriate, until you figure out how to hold it. Hold Shine in your left hand, letting the spine nestle in your palm, with your fingers along the solid back and your thumb resting on the front. Turn the pages with your right hand, crease them open, if needed. Alternately, rest Shine on a table or your lap and read one page at a time.
Shine is printed on ivory paper with one paragraph on each page and plenty of space for resting, slowing down, and even rereading. I reread Shine every time I make a batch of books. This book is how I hope to be, a reminder to me of how I’ve struggled and to say ‘no’ with no shame because I often forget.
This book is for autistic people, the people who love them, and anyone who wants to better understand different experiences.” - Amber Dawn Stoner
3” x 11”
*Consignment item. Not eligible for 10% membership discount. All consignment purchases are final and non-refundable once shipped.
Amber Dawn Stoner (she/her) is a writer and book artist in Minnesota. As a child, she wrote in a tree by the Mississippi River. As an adult, writing outside and about nature continues to deepen her connection to people, places, plants and all sorts of critters. Her monthly column, Nature Nearby, appears in the Eden Prairie Local News (eplocalnews.org). She is at work on her first memoir titled Go to the River.
