Cornish 4-Year-Old Co-Authors Book on Neurodiversity

Cornish Child, 4, Becomes Published Author Tomorrow

A four-year-old from Cornwall is set to become one of the youngest published authors in the UK, as a new picture book co-created with his mother is released on Friday 20th March.

Elias Grace, now five, has worked alongside his mother Joanna Grace on My Daddy is Not Autistic (but my Mummy is), a book that explores life in a neurodiverse family through a child’s eyes.

A Young Voice at the Centre

The book brings together Elias’ imaginative illustrations and often humorous words with Joanna’s lived experience as an autistic parent. It follows Elias’ perspective growing up with his autistic mother and brother, and his non-autistic father.

Using bright, colourful drawings, Elias reflects on the differences he notices between his parents and what it means to have different kinds of brains. His story is supported by Joanna’s commentary, which looks at parenting across different neurotypes and how understanding can grow.

Elias’ involvement makes him one of the youngest published authors in the UK, with his work offering a rare insight into neurodiversity from such an early age.

Elias is incredibly excited as seen in a recent unboxing video shown above.  

Exploring Neurodiversity Through Storytelling

The book aims to help children and families engage with neurodiversity in a way that is accessible and engaging. It includes a foreword by neurodiversity advocate, author and former teacher Chris Bonnello.

Chris said:
“The more I’ve worked with children – neurotypical, autistic or otherwise – the more I’ve come to value how important it is to enable people to use their own voices from an early age. This book is full of the ‘small’ things that Elias has noticed about his family, and he uses them very well to present pictures (quite literally) about what life is like with family members who see the world differently. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did, and as much as it deserves to be enjoyed.”

The book also explores the Double Empathy Problem, highlighting that challenges often come from differences in understanding rather than the type of brain someone has.

Life in Cornwall

Joanna, who is autistic, is the founder of The Sensory Projects and works as a sensory engagement and inclusion specialist. She has previously worked as a special school teacher, foster carer and support worker for people with disabilities and neurological differences.

She grew up on a boat at sea and now lives in rural Cornwall, close to the ocean.

Elias is described as energetic and kind, with a love for dancing, scooters and building imaginative creations, including a car track from his bedroom window into the garden.

Available Now

My Daddy is Not Autistic (but my Mummy is) is published by Routledge and will be available from Friday 20th March.

It can be found on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/3NzFgRp