A DOUBLE Good News Day!

I love days that have good news and I DOUBLE love days that have DOUBLE good news!  And ya know what, I got me one of them. :)

Yesterday my dear friend Stark.Raving.Mad.Mommy posted on my Facebook letting me know that I had the honor of being included on Babble.com's Top 30 Autism Blogs.  I was, in all honesty, totally surprised and very flattered!  So a big thank you to the Babble panel who nominated HLW3B and selected me for the list!  If you have not seen the full list, please take a minute to go through each blog - it is worth the time!

Oh Ya Baby!

I am going to add to their list though, so please forgive me.  There was one blog I love that should be included on that list, in my (not so) humble opinion, and I feel it deserves a shoutout.  Any guesses which one?  Yep, that's right...

Try Defying Gravity written by the talented and insightful Alysia Butler!  So, as far as I am concerned, her blog is the UNofficial #31. :)  Also, in case you are wondering, the hilarious Stark.Raving.Mad.Mommy isn't on the list ONLY because she was on the panel for Babble nominating and judging, and it is just poor form to insist you make your own list.  Bummer.

But being included on the Babble.com Top 30 Autism Blogs list is just the first part of the DOUBLE good news!


The second part of the DOUBLE good news was finding a package in the mail from my amazing publisher Sensory World (there are SO MANY titles there that you should check out - including my other book Sensational Journeys inspired by this blog and all of my readers' stories!)!  Just what was in that package?!!

Hot off the press - the first copies of 

That's me giving a 'WooHoo!' - you just can't hear me....

This is Gabriel Making Sense of School 2nd Edition!!

I am so excited to have the 2nd Edition of this book - my labor of love inspired by my amazing son Gabriel - that I can barely sit still in this chair and type!

This is Gabriel has been completely rewritten, but remains true to its original content by providing straightforward, simple information and definitions of SPD and all of the senses, plus still discusses the challenges our sensory kids face in the classroom while providing simple ways to help them meet their sensory needs.  HOWEVER....

Now the story is told by Gabriel himself.  Such a cute twist providing children an easier way to connect with our sensory kiddos.  It now gives a first-person (or first-hand sensory-kiddo) account of what it feels like for Gabriel to deal with his sensory issues in school and how much he needs understanding and support from those around him. Like all of our kids! This version also includes....

The 8th sense: Interoception!  

See the 2nd Edition banner up top?!

That's a win, right?!!  With an adorable new illustration from the amazingly talented Brandon Fall who not only did all of the illustrations for both editions of this book, but is responsible for the entire layout and cover design.  His new Interoception illustration, which depicts Gabriel rushing into the bathroom, will have your sensory child - and his/her classmates - giggling and nodding with understanding.

Another of my personal favorite parts of the 2nd Edition of This is Gabriel are the incredibly supportive quotes on the back cover.  You'll have to get your hands on a copy to see what Carol Kranowitz and Erik Linthorst said about this book!  A big thank you to both of them - I feel humbled to have their praise and support!

This is a full circle moment for me.  Watching my book go from a dream to a self-published reality in March of 2010 was something I will never forget.  But joining forces with Autism/Sensory publisher Future Horizons and their Sensory World imprint has been amazing.  I am very proud to be a part of the Sensory World family of authors, such amazing people doing amazing things to provide education, resources and understanding for our children and those that care for them.  I am truly proud to have them publishing This is Gabriel 2nd Edition where it will have the opportunity to reach a wider audience - through which it can help give way to a wider understanding of Sensory Processing Disorder.  Education leads to acceptance...for all of our kids.

So here's to a good day my friends - with DOUBLE good news!  Be sure to check out HLW3B on Facebook (we really have a lot of fun there!), the Babble Top 30 Autism Blogs (plus TDG) and look for the official release of This is Gabriel Making Sense of School 2nd Edition (you can preorder now!).

Wishing you all many DOUBLE good news days!
H