Video description: Sarah in backyard studio and Gracie in airstream talking to camera. Clips of sensory experiences such as nature, bubbles, and fidgets woven in as well as creative progress shots of writing and illustration.
It feels like I've stepped into the vacuum of space.
It's suddenly like, all my nerves are on fire.
All brains are different. Your brain is what makes you you. We each experience the world differently. This is called neurodiversity.
Hi, I'm Sarah.
And I'm Gracie.
I'm autistic.
I'm autistic.
And we're teaming up to co create the picture book we wish we had had growing up about how we each experience the world differently.
I had never heard someone describe it the way that it felt to me.
I didn't know everyone couldn't hear light bulbs.
We each taste, smell, see, hear and feel things in our own way. Our main goal for this project is to illustrate how different brains experience the world differently.
The book will also introduce the concept of sensory modulation, our brains automatic processes to turn the intensity of senses up or down. We will also give examples of sensory supports or accommodations that might be helpful.
This book is for both neurotypical and neurodivergent audiences so we can understand ourselves and each other better.
And we want readers to walk away with simple scripts that can be used for self advocacy or to advocate for a child or friend.
We want you and anyone else reading this book to know that your sensory experience is valid. And there's nothing wrong with you.
This book is in the early stages. We're inviting you to get involved now so that you can follow along and see how a picture book comes to life.
By supporting this project now, you'll help keep us going knowing that you're out there excited and ready to read this book. As part of your pledge you can also choose to donate a copy that will go to a school library or neurodivergent family.
Our funding goal is set to cover the projected costs which are broken down below, you can pledge for behind the scenes access or you can preorder a limited edition exclusive signed hardcover. Hardcovers in small runs are costly to produce. So the price point does reflect that.
The final book will also be available in paperback to make it as accessible as possible. (Stay tuned to order those later in the process.) We're also creating printables for kids and adults to use their creativity to illustrate their own sensory experiences.
We're taking our time to get this book right with a flexible goal of two years. This is a multi step process with multiple proofs to get the color matching just right. We won't compromise on quality to rush this out.
We're also dedicated to honoring our nervous systems and not pushing into burnout to publish this book. It's important that while we're educating readers on how to support neurodivergent brains, that we're also supporting our own.
We're both multiple neurodivergent so this is an Own Voices book, celebrate autism acceptance month by supporting this autistic author and illustrator team to create an Own Voices book
and give your inner child and the children in your life and really everyone in your life because picture books are for everyone. So give everyone in your life the picture book that you might wish you'd had growing up.
(Flapping hands) I'm so excited!
(Trilling lips and tapping the table) Here I am stimming to regulate. Who knew I did these things?
