Katie Finds Her Voice: A Story About Autism

Amy McCoy (Author) Heather Bell (Illustrator)

Katie’s first-grade class is preparing for Autism Awareness and Acceptance Day. She already knows a lot about autism because her older brother Mikey is autistic. But when Miss Magee asks Katie to share what she knows with the rest of the class, Katie isn’t sure what to do. Can she overcome her fear of speaking in front of a group? What if her words get stuck?

As Katie balances her role as an advocate for her brother with conquering her own challenges, she shares the different ways people with autism engage with the world around them. Through Katie’s eyes, readers learn that people with autism want love and acceptance just like everyone else.

Simply Skye

Pamela Morgan (Author) Heather Bell (Illustrator)

Avi’s doll Skye is not a boy or a girl. Neither is Avi. But what will their family think? Avi uses Skye to explore gender expression and identity and also to discover how their family will react to Avi’s own nonbinary identity. Breaking gender stereotypes, Avi’s clothing choices and actions show their brother, sister, and parents who they really are as their family gradually understands and accepts Avi’s identity.

Mac and Cheese and the Personal Space Invader

Jolene Gutiérrez (Author)  Heather Bell (Illustrator)

Mac and Cheese are the class guinea pigs, and Oliver is their biggest fan. He loves taking care of them and learning about them. Oliver is a very scientific kid and carries around a notebook to write observations and sketch things he notices. He’s struggling to make friends, though, so he watches Mac and Cheese because they’re the best friends he knows. He sees them snuggling and cuddling with each other and assumes that to be a good friend, he’ll need to get cuddly with his classmates. With the help of his classmates, teacher, and a hula hoop, Oliver learns about personal space.

Why is Mommy Crying? -explaining early pregnancy loss to young children

I. Cori Baill, M.D. (Author) Heather Bell (Illustrator)

One is often at a loss how to engage with those in grief, whether adult or child. Because miscarriage affects about a third of pregnancies, most readers likely know someone who has experienced this sadness. This beautifully illustrated, inclusive, nondenominational picture book helps recipients of every age know that the door is open, and a caring person is on the other side. Written by an experienced physician, Why is Mommy Crying? comforts in the context of family and the larger universe. Young ones are also helped in navigating their fears. The young protagonist, Max, uses his imagination, and accompanied by his stuffed animal, Mink, begins to understand what has made his mother sad. His imagery and ideas offer a gentle springboard to discuss with children and the adults who love them the broader concepts surrounding grief and recovery. The author acknowledges nondenominational religious language is employed in the explanation to the child. And hopefully the story can lead to further discussions around values and beliefs in addition to its primary objective of a loving story offering condolence.