Ever wonder what is going through the mind of an autistic child? What do they see? What do they hear? How do they relate to the world?
Well luckily Kristy Gray, a high-energy, devoted and loving mother of two boys, has gone a long way toward illuminating those very questions. In her new children's book "The Magically Brilliant Boy," Kristy gives you a glimpse into the world of her autistic son, Zachary, and indeed into the worlds of other autistic children.
But this is not only a "children's" book. Through raising her son, building a core relationship with him and having a true understanding of his entire being, Kristy has drawn on that knowledge and has written an informative book for adults as well. At last, we have a tiny peek into the autistic child's mind and come away with a better grasp of how and what they see and how they relate to the world and to us.
As a lover of life, family, and core values, Kristy works hard to maintain a humble existence while pushing herself forward to fulfilling all her dreams. As a mom that has raised a child with Autism, Kristy has opened up her world to you with "The Magically Brilliant Boy" and invited you into her daily life with her son. She does not claim to be an expert, simply a mom with a lifetime of experience.
Her family's journey with Autism began when her youngest son was diagnosed at the age of 21/2. Kristy says, "His diagnosis reshaped our family, yet has blessed us beyond words. As a parent, an Autistic diagnosis for your child is nothing you can ever be prepared for and quite frankly can shake you down to your core. We, personally, found ourselves grieving the life we had planned. There were some very emotional and pretty difficult days, but our hearts were full and a new life began. It's true that no parent ever knows what the future holds for their children. That could never be more true than for a parent with a child or young adult with Autism. However, to know my son is to know pure joy and innocence. That, alone, is where I draw strength when the going gets tough."
"The Magically Brilliant Boy" is a story born from Kristy's heart and truly inspired by her son's life. One day, when he was very young, they were walking home from the beach, hand in hand and swinging their arms, enjoying the sunshine. He looked up at his mother and said, with an innocent expression, "The moon makes the tide go in and out, but love makes the world go 'round!" It was in that moment, through her happy tears, that Kristy recognized the magic that was just beneath the surface of her perfectly imperfect unique son.
Beautifully illustrated by New Jersey artist, Deborah Burow, the art in "The Magically Brilliant Boy" contributes immensely to the overall concept and completes the insight into Autism. Deborah drew on her early work as an educator working with autistic children to bring Kristy's words to life.
Kristy lives with her husband of 24 years, JR, and their two sons in northern New Jersey and is currently at work on her next book.
Deborah lives on the New Jersey shore which inspires her to paint joy from her heart. More of her art can be seen at deborahburowart.com and on fineartamerica.com as well as at various art fairs around the country.
