Behind The Story
HOW DID IT START?
As a young parent raising my girls in New Zealand in the 90's things like social anxiety, tics, stims, OCD, and ADHD were not commonly diagnosed or even really talked about. In fact - it was all sort of hidden and frowned upon, and not accepted as it is today. As a consequence my children had a much harder time at school - and at home - than they should have. With our "Quit fussing and get your act together' style, we didn't understand the struggles or know how to provide the safe environment they desperately needed. Years later, with 3 teenagers, a new country, a lot more information and a quirky puppy in the house we took giant leaps in acknowledging and embracing the unique needs and challenges we all have. I finally acknowledged that I had been battling with my own motor tics for years, and began a journey to understand anxiety as it presented in my loved ones. I'll admit, most of it still remains a mystery to me, but I do know that children deserve to be heard, need to be accepted, and should be supported in their unique struggles.
Our sweet Pit Bull Kona provided the perfect example of an inbuilt, uncontrollable, unexplainable need. After all, he is a dog - he's not being 'dramatic', he's not 'copying others', and he's not trying to create a fuss; he just cannot get comfortable if there is a wrinkle in his rug. And after yet another funny episode of Kona cowering in fear of a plastic bag I knew we had the perfect relatable character to start a conversation with kids about the things that bother them too.
This book is the first in a collection of Kona stories designed to gently introduce these topics with kids, and encourage them to accept uniqueness in themself and others.
WHO IS IT FOR?
It's for children ages 3-6...and for Pit Bull's - especially quirky ones, and the humans who love them. It's for Mommies of kids who will only eat off the PINK plate, and Dads who just want to know their kid is okay. It's for everyone who needs things 'just so' but can't explain why. Oh, and it's for Lollys too!... and anyone who reads books to kids, especially pre-school teachers, and... well you get the picture - it's for everyone.
WHAT IS THE MESSAGE?
That it's perfectly okay to be unique! Through Kona's example and discussion prompts included in the back, children will have the opportunity to talk about what makes them uncomfortable - or comfortable - and how they can help others too.
