St Dennis author Lisa Marie Wooding and the boy who couldn’t talk
People kept telling Lisa Marie Wooding it was a shame. Her son Alexander couldn’t speak, and some people, often from the older generation, saw only sadness in that.
She saw something else. So she wrote a book about him.
That was over two years ago. Lisa Marie, who lives in a small hamlet just outside St Dennis, has now written and illustrated six children’s books under her own brand, Little Big Me Books. They cover autism, communication, emotions and understanding ourselves and others, and they’ve been bought by schools and nurseries around the world.
A book about what Alexander can do
“I wanted to celebrate how wonderful Alexander is despite not being able to talk,” Lisa Marie said. “It concentrates on all the positive qualities he has, instead of focussing on the negative.”
The result was I Can’t Talk: My Non-Verbal Life, written to help children understand neurodivergent people. Its success sparked more ideas, and more books followed.
Lisa Marie draws every picture herself.
“I’m not an artist but I feel that the childlike illustrations may appeal to children, as all the stories are written in the perspective of a child.”
The six Little Big Me Books
Each one is written and illustrated by Lisa Marie, and each takes a different angle on understanding ourselves and each other.
I Can’t Talk: My Non-Verbal Life
A gentle story about Alexander, a little boy who finds talking difficult and communicates in his own way. The message is that not being able to speak doesn’t mean you have nothing to say.
My Cat Is Autistic
A little boy tells the story of his autistic cat, Simba. It looks at sensory differences, routines, communication and the things that can make the world feel overwhelming, and celebrates what makes each of us unique.
It Makes Perfect Sense!
A colourful look at sensory “heaven” and “hell” through the eyes of children who experience the world differently, and why something that feels fine to one person can feel completely different to another.
The Star
A story about being yourself, hiding parts of who you are and the pressure to fit in. Children shouldn’t have to change who they are to be accepted.
Choo Choo Choo, I Can Do It Too!
A joyful celebration of milestones and the different pace at which children pick up new skills, encouraging them to be proud of their own achievements without comparing themselves to others.
The Very Useful Pumpkin
A fun, accessible story about difference and acceptance, and how the things that make us different can be the things that make us brilliant.
The books are aimed at young children. But Lisa Marie says older children may enjoy them too, and some adults might get something from them as well.
Family life on the page
Lisa Marie has lived in Cornwall all her life, apart from a spell away at university. Her two children, Eva and Alexander, sit at the heart of everything she writes.
“Being a mum has shown me just how different children’s needs, communication styles and experiences can be,” she said. “I’ve seen the importance of patience, understanding and looking beyond what we see on the surface.”
She wants children to grow up knowing they don’t have to be the same as everyone else to be valued.
“I hope my books help make those conversations easier for families.”
A diagnosis of her own
Earlier this year, Lisa Marie received her own autism diagnosis.
“I never knew that I was autistic until I started seeing things through my children. Understanding them has enabled me to understand myself so much better.”
She calls the diagnosis a significant moment, one that let her look back at many experiences in her life in a new way. And she believes it has strengthened what Little Big Me Books is trying to say.
“I understand even more now how important it is for children to feel accepted and understood from an early age, rather than spending years wondering why they experience the world differently,” she said.
“I don’t want children to feel they need to change who they are to fit in. I want them to see that being different isn’t something to be ashamed of.”
From Cornwall to Canada
I Can’t Talk: My Non-Verbal Life has now reached more than 1,000 readers and picked up over 30 reviews on Amazon, with copies sold in America, Canada and Australia.
Independent bookshops have shown an interest in stocking the books, and all six titles can be found on the shelves at No1 Book Stop at Par Market.
“One of the most special things is when somebody tells me that a book has helped them explain something to a child, or that a child has recognised themselves in one of the characters,” Lisa Marie said.
Where to find the books
All six titles are available on Amazon. Search for Lisa Marie Wooding or the name of the book.
You can also follow Little Big Me Books on Facebook and Instagram for illustrations and news of new releases.
What comes next
Lisa Marie is working on a Christmas-themed children’s book, with plenty more ideas waiting behind it. She’d love to see Little Big Me Books reach more schools, nurseries, libraries and independent bookshops.
“I knew I always wanted to help people, particularly children. Writing these stories has made me realise this is how I can do that.”
And the big ambition?
“My dream would be to see my books displayed in a Waterstones window one day!”
Read Next
- ChristmasSaltash kicks things off on Friday 13 November.
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