Heather Lyn Davis is the award-winning, best-selling author of over 6 books including, Into Justin’s World, I Can Sleep When The Wind Blows, Freddy the Fox will not Share His Thoughts, Meet Jane and Bobby: A Book for Foster Children by Foster Children, The Blomes, the Smooms and the Impossible Bridge and more.

Heather lives in beautiful Eagle, Idaho where she and her husband Roman raised their 8 children. Her journey to become a mom of 8 has been a bumpy one that has included infertility, being a foster parent, adoption, and special needs parenting. She now has a big family of 2 biological children and 6 adopted children. Reading stories to her children was important for bonding and teaching her children. Now as an award-winning and best-selling author, Heather loves to write stories that teach important lessons in a way that children and adults will both enjoy.

This one-on-one interview shares Heather Lyn Davis’ background and experience in writing Into Justin’s World.

Tell us about Into Justin’s World.

Into Justin’s World is an inclusive children’s book that allows children with special needs the chance to see themselves in the story.

The book centers on a young boy named Justin who doesn’t see the world the way other people do. For him, sounds are too loud, textures are overwhelming, and water . . . that’s a hard no!

One day, on a walk by the river with his family, Justin meets a new fish friend who invites him on a magical adventure on the beautiful Boise River. He meets many animals and learns to see the beauty and magic around him that he couldn’t see before.

Written in an engaging, rhyming verse, the book offers readers insight into Justin’s world–one driven by his special needs and unique way of looking at the world–and will open their eyes to just how different his world is.

What inspired you to write Into Justin’s World?

There is a growing movement in children’s books to include more diversity among the characters and I love this!

Unfortunately, one group that has been largely left out is children with special needs.

Into Justin’s World is told from the perspective of my autistic son, Justin, which is important because it features a main character who has sensory sensitivities and other special needs. 

The book doesn’t focus on his special needs; it simply shows him as he is, in a fun book children will love!

I have advocated for children and adults with special needs for 25 years. Justin joined my family 22 years ago. He struggles with many things but there is magic and beauty in his world. I have often wished other people could really see him and understand how he sees the world. I hope this book will help other individuals with disabilities feel seen, and help neurotypical people understand them better and really see them.

How did your background and experience influence your writing?

I am a mother of eight children.

When my children were young, we all loved to read together and we read so many amazing children’s books. I learned that one of the best ways I could teach important lessons was through stories.

Now that my children are grown, I love writing stories for children, and I try to write the kind of stories I wish we had when my children were younger.

What is one message you would like readers to remember?

Because Justin looks like other people, it can be hard to tell right away that his brain doesn’t think the way other brains think. Simple things like washing his hands, feeling the wind in his hair, or too many people talking at the same time can feel overwhelming. People are generally nice, but they can be unkind or judgmental when he acts in a way they don’t understand.

My goal in writing this book is to help readers understand how the world looks and feels to children with sensory overload, and to give children like my son a chance to see themselves in a fun story.

Purchasing the Book

A powerful book with an important message, Into Justin’s World is available for sale on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other online bookstores.

Readers, parents, educators and book clubs are encouraged to visit the author’s website for more information about the book and updates on new book releases: https://heathershelpfulstories.com/

Connect with Heather Lyn Davis

https://heathershelpfulstories.com/

https://www.facebook.com/icansleepwhenthewindblows

https://www.instagram.com/heathershelpfulstories/

https://twitter.com/FrugalMom8

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