About the Book
"My name is Malory, I'm 8 years old, and I have ADHD. ADHD is short for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It can mean different things for different kids. My mom says that it's part of what makes me special. She says that because of it, I am unique. Being unique means that you are one of a kind. That doesn't mean that I'm alone though..."
Meet eight year old Malory. Malory has a learning disability, but she doesn't let that stop her from enjoying her life. Whenever she is feeling blue, her mother and father remind her of the list of those who love her. Ms. Julie, her art teacher, understands what it is like to be different. She was born Autistic. Ms.Julie encourages Malory to express herself through art.
Inspired by a true story, Written by Chelsea Radojcic, Illustrated by Leonie Cheetham, this heartwarming story inspires hope, and reminds us of the truth that we sometimes forget; our differences make us beautiful...
About the Author :
Growing up with ADHD was not easy. I spent a lot of my childhood being very misunderstood. I had a lot of feelings and emotions that weren't really seen. I didn't connect well with other children my age, due to my lack of ability to properly focus. I was fortunate enough to have a very loving and supportive family who adored me for who I was. I started writing books right away. The earliest age I remember writing my stories is 5 years old. My family always encouraged me to be true to myself. They never once made me feel like there was anything wrong with me. I did battle with different medications and that was very difficult not just on me, but on my parents as well. They always wanted what was best for me and sometimes as a parent, it is hard to know what the right thing to do is. That is why I wanted to write this book. I feel so strongly for parents and children who face learning disabilities. Whether it is ADHD, Autism, Down Syndrome, Tourettes, Dyslexia, or something else, it is a difficult road, and it can be even harder when you don't have the support or understanding of others. So many mothers, fathers, and children, deal with these things on a daily basis, and sadly, many people don't understand how much these families go through. My goal in sharing the story of Malory is to not only to show the ups and downs of how things really can be behind the scenes, but to encourage and inspire children who deal with these challenges, that yes, you are different. That is OKAY! It is a great thing to be different, it just makes you unique, and you are beautiful JUST the way that you are. Illustrator, Leonie Cheetham, loves creating artwork that is vibrant with pizazz. By using a few simple, loose lines combined with watercolour and ink, her art portrays a quirky, playful style splashed with colour. Her illustrations have appeared in travel brochures and book covers. She has also exhibited and been highly commended in children's book illustration competitions. She also enjoys commissions for personal and corporate artwork. Formerly a librarian and fitness trainer, Leonie now combines illustrating and writing, whilst pursuing her other love, exploring the colours of our world through travel and of course, sketching along the way. Leonie lives on the northern beaches of Sydney, Australia. She loves to inspire the imaginations of children and adults by showing them how magical and fun colour can be.
Review :
"I absolutely loved this story told from 8 year old Malory's point of view. She describes what having ADHD means to her, how it affects how she interacts with others, and how it affects her at school. As an educator who sees children go through these exact situations nearly every single day - being sent to the office when they are 'too much to handle', medicine making them feel yucky, etc. - I can't wait to share this story with those children and let them know that yes, they are unique, but that does not mean they are alone." HANNAH HERBERT
"This book is a jewel! The illustrations, the content, the prose. All beautiful. The content is so spot on that really touched my heart. It was like reading my own experiences as a child. How it was hard to concentrate at school, how I kept getting in trouble... " DRAGONFLY
"I am an adult with ADHD and this really speaks to me. It gives an accurate description of what it feels like to have ADHA as a child. The bad to the really bad and the good that that positive support can produce. I would highly recommend this for everyone to read. Not just for children that have ADHD but friends, classmates, relatives and parents of children with ADHD..." AMANDA
"As a parent to three children with ADHD and autism, I loved this sweet, simple story. The illustrations were precious and added to the tranquil but informative mood the story creates. It's a book that I think many children, especially children like mine, would enjoy because they can relate to Malory's and her family's experiences." BRANDIE WILEY
"The storybook format works for younger kids, and offers them a clear but gentle way to understand why they are sometimes treated a little different from other children at school or have trouble relating to other kids. Being pulled out of class, managing medications, and learning to let a label empower vs limit them is hard for a child to understand. This book breaks it down into a simple narrative and shows a child that there are other children like them. It is wonderful to see complex issues presented in a fun way that kids can relate to..." GILLIA AT HOME
"One thing I really appreciate about this book, is that there are not many books that are told from the child's perspective. A lot of people may not feel that ADHD is a big deal, but to the children who do face this, it can seem like a big deal to them. This book is a wonderful resource for kids, and instills a hopeful message..." ISABELLA TRAPP
"What I appreciate about this book is Malory's awareness about her challenges and what causes them. The author has not only discussed Malory's feelings and worries but those of the parents as well... I would put this book in the category of easy reader and encourage not only children with challenges to read this book but any child. Giving children the knowledge of what it is like to struggle through each day is a good teacher of compassion." LIBRARY_GEEK
"As my 5 year old grandson has recently been diagnosed with ADHD I decided to request ADHD And Me. Chelsea conveys the child's emotions perfectly, from being misunderstood by her class mates and some of her teaches to the turmoil her parents go through. A beautiful and heartfelt insight into the mind of a child. Highly recommended read." STEVEN MCDONALD
