Like countless grade three students before her, Emma Felix went to school recently, eager to show off her new book.
But this one was different. Emma’s classmates at Drayton Heights Public School were likely shocked to discover her name on the cover. She is the illustrator and author of My Hands, one of the the newest books from Publish America.
It’s not often a 7-year-old girl becomes a published author, but the accomplishment is even more impressive considering she was diagnosed earlier this year with autism.
Emma never intended to publish a book – the collection of drawings and explanations was originally given to her mom, Elizabeth, as a birthday present. But Elizabeth decided to inquire about getting it printed.
“It was important for me to validate to Emma her accomplishment,” Elizabeth said. “I wanted so desperately to say ‘this is what your hard work has done.’ She did it all on her own.”
So Elizabeth did some research and asked officials at Publish America, which usually does not publish authors any younger than 18, if they could direct her to a company that would be interested in the book. Publish America however, asked to see the book, and shortly thereafter offered to publish it.
“Emma is an enchanting and creative little girl,” said Shawn Street, public relations officer with Publish America. “Despite [her] heart-wrenching diagnosis, Emma’s fierce determination and perseverance to achieve her goals and succeed have shown that no mountains are too high to climb … My Hands is a tribute to Emma’s love of drawing and reading.”
Elizabeth was ecstatic when she heard My Hands would be published, but Emma was at first a bit skeptical.
“She was convinced they had stolen her book,” Elizabeth said with a laugh. She added that Emma is now excited about the book and has even asked for it to be read as her bedtime story.
Elizabeth said the book is a major accomplishment for her daughter, who took to drawing very early on.
Emma started to draw at age two and within a year understood the proportion and three dimensional shape of human faces, yet she always struggled with reading, writing, and even communicating – she did not speak until she was almost four years old.
Originally diagnosed with expressive language disorder and ADHD, Emma was diagnosed just this April with autism.
But with the help of her grade two teacher, Krista Douglas, and her current teacher Amanda Parker, Emma went from a Kindergarten reading level to a grade three level in just eight months.
“Krista Douglas was instrumental in Emma’s dramatic academic improvement. She was the one that spearheaded Emma’s assessment and listened to my concerns …. She truly is amazing,” Elizabeth said of Douglas, who she credits most with her daughter’s advancements.
“Her current teacher Amanda, has picked up that torch and has essentially carried on where Krista left off … I cannot tell you the significant difference a good teacher makes with children, especially children like Emma.”
But Douglas said the credit should go to Emma alone.
“I think it’s wonderful she went ahead and did it on her own,” Douglas said of the book. “She’s a fantastic kid. She’s got a lot of initiative in her and she’s a hard worker.”
Elizabeth noted her daughter’s recent advancements go far beyond just reading – Emma now attempts to write and talk more, and will seek out other children to play with, something she never used to do.
“It’s amazing how much confidence she has now,” said Elizabeth, who is currently trying to get My Hands sold at the Chapters store in Kitchener.
To order a copy of the book, visit publishamerica.com.
