I've recently started drafting this board book idea called "Hello at the Farm."
I have a five year old son with autism, and he's non verbal. I wanted to create a simple board book that emphasizes non verbal communication with a variety of ways animals might say hello without the typical animal noise references.
My hope is that this would be fun for all kids to act out and engage with, but also provide a fun experience for kids like my son, Ollie. I'd love feedback on the design as well as whether I should try to pitch a publisher or try to sell on kick starter (or other suggestions).
Community Engagement
2025 MassCultural Council Creative Experience grant, Bridgewater, MA $5000
For inclusive after school arts programming for students who face barriers accessing typical after-school programming
For inclusive after school arts programming for students who face barriers accessing typical after-school programming
2024 MassCultural Council Local Grant, Bridgewater, MA, $400
Funded an inclusive story time event at the Bridgewater Public Library on June 27, 2024
Funded an inclusive story time event at the Bridgewater Public Library on June 27, 2024
2025 Sensational Story Time Yoga Event featuring Hello at the Farm hosted by The Arc of the South Shore, Did a reading and sing along prior to yoga activity, July 31, 2025.
2025 Story Time event at the Leddy Preschool in Taunton, MA. Completed eight presentations over two days for over 200 preschool students and provided inclusive and adaptive reading materials for students as needed. May 2025.
2025 Volunteer at the Whitman-Hanson Special Education Parents Advisory Committee Resource Fair providing free Hello at the Farm themed crafts to do at the craft table or for families to take and complete at home. March 2025.
2025 “Learning Tools for Non-Speakers: Co-creating a picture book and resources for speech therapists working with non-speaking children,” Design Principles and Practices Conference, February 2025.
2024 “Hello at the Farm: Collaborating with Speech Language Pathologists to Create a Picture Book for Children with Communication Disorders,” Integrating Arts and Design into Healthcare Research to Support Health and Wellness, presenter, SECAC Annual Conference, Atlanta, GA, October 2024.
2024 Participant in the Raising Harts Sensory Friendly Halloween event. Handed out candy from a Hello at the Farm themed table display. October 2024.
2024 Hello at the Farm reading and sing along hosted by Community Autism Resources at Pony Town Express in East Bridgewater, MA, September 2024.
2024 Book Reading and Signing at Storybook Cove in Hanover, MA on August 6, 2024.
2024 Inclusive Story Time event at the Bridgewater Public Library in Bridgewater, MA on June 27, 2024. The event included ABA specialists, headphones, and fidgets for participants needing extra support. Craft activities and book signing accompanied the presentation.
Design Awards
2021 Creatively You Design Competition Winner, Collaboration with Brit+Co. and Bounty Paper Towels to create custom paper towel design, $5000
2021 Health+Wellness Design Award, Book Cover and Info Graphics, Graphic Design USA