As a picture book writer, lifelong reader, professional storyteller, and parent of a toddler, I spend a LOT of time thinking about children’s books. Normally, this is my (and Z’s) semi-regular review of the must-reads for parents, kiddos, and picture book writers. This time, I’m doing things a little bit differently.

I’ll just jump right in: Today, I launched my very first Kickstarter to fund my debut picture book, Marnie and the Floating Thoughts, and I’d like to invite you to support it.

Some backstory: I was diagnosed with ADHD in my mid-twenties, when I was floundering my way through my master’s thesis. Growing up, I thought that my brain was broken. That it was in some way irreparably and uniquely wrong. My poor memory, constant restlessness, and impulsivity—among other things—had me feeling isolated and ashamed. A diagnosis didn’t magically fix those things but it did give me the language to describe what was going on in my mind and made me feel so much less alone in my challenges.

Marnie and the Floating Thoughts is the book I wish I’d had when I was a kid. It features a bubbly, creative, kind young girl who just cannot seem to hold on to her many, many brilliant thoughts. It makes her life harder than it has to be, and it makes her feel like a failure. But with a little help from others and her own special spin on things, all of that can change.

I’ve written several picture book manuscripts in the last five years, all of which I love dearly and hope to share with the world one day. But the minute Marnie marched her way into my mind, I knew she was someone special. I knew she was someone I needed to introduce to you all. I’m finally ready to do that.

I picked October to launch my Kickstarter because it’s ADHD Awareness Month. What better way to celebrate neurodiversity than helping the Marnies of the world find their own unique strengths?

You can learn more about Marnie and the Floating Thoughts and pledge to order your own copy (and/or donate copies to a local nonprofit!) here. It’s a cliche, but it’s true: Every single dollar makes a difference in making this book a reality, so please consider sharing the link with others who love all things book-ish, appreciate gorgeous artwork, and/or champion mental health, creativity, and hope.

With gratitude,

Jordyn Jefferson
Learn more about my writing at www.jordynjefferson.com.