A Giant Step For Andy

A lone little boy with autism uses his gift of imagination to overcome his social fears. Discover how Andy takes that first step in finding his courage and confidence to introduce himself and meet new friends in my modern fable, A Giant Step for Andy.

Instead of playing outside with other kids, Andy spends much of his time in his room after school drawing and learning about elephants with his faithful snuggly stuffed friend, Oliphant. Sometimes though, Andy wishes he had a pal to play with him and Oliphant.

Saturdays are Andy’s favorite day of the week. That’s when he and his dad visit the elephants at the zoo. It is there that Tusker, the wise and compassionate African elephant, befriends Andy and teaches him that he CAN learn the social skills needed to meet people and make new friends.

Amazon.com Book Reviews

• Loved this book! And more importantly my son loved it too! A very inspiring and uplifting story about overcoming social challenges and a wonderful read for all children. For autistic kids the story is very validating and draws on the real socialization issues kids with autism experience (they will definitely relate to Andy!), but it’s also relevant for children that are terribly shy and introverted. A great read for all kids as it opens the door for dialogue and the need for understanding and empathy towards people that may seem different from ourselves (the parent’s perspective!). Although from my son’s perspective, it was just a very enjoyable and fun book which he wanted read over and over.
  I highly recommend this book, it is absolutely wonderful!!
  By Suzi Miller on July 7, 2015
• I am a psychotherapist and I work with children and adults with developmental disabilities. I loved this book!!! I read it with one of my clients and she just cried because she felt connected to Andy. It helped her feel so not alone and that other people understood some experiences that she had. She just hugged the book when she was done. I keep it in the very front on my bookshelf so it is easily accessible for me to use and others to see. I highly recommend this touching story!!!
  By Dawn HP on July 7, 2015
• An extremely special book for all children! A Giant Step for Andy is creative, inspiring and a lesson for all of us in the importance of self-belief and perseverance. Beautiful art and of course, who can resist elephants? Highly recommend
  By Stacy James on April 18, 2015
• This book is great, as a parent of a child with autism this shows how the most simple things in life are not that simple. I would recommend this book to everyone. Diana is awesome with the kids. She worked with my son when he was in elementary school. He is in high school and still loves her and looks for her approval. Her experience is definitely shown in this book.
  By Jo lang on November 15, 2014
• What a delightful book! There are not enough children’s books available that focus on social skills for autistic children. This is a lovely book for all children to enjoy. Cheers to Diana Jean La Fontaine for a beautiful story about a special little boy.
  By Brenda Staley on September 12, 2014
• This book is simple, sweet, delightful and poignant. Although it is written with autistic children in mind, many, if not all people have experienced some type of shyness or social insecurity in their lives that keeps them isolated from living life to the fullest. Diana Jean La Fontaine writes a delightful modern fable that is relevant for our time and particular issues of socialization not only for children but also for adults who have forgotten that there is always help and friendship when you muster up the courage to look for it. This is truly a “Hero’s Journey” for everyone!
  By Heather Kim Rodriguez on July 10, 2015
• A five star review is definitely in order for this creative and beautiful book. As a public school teacher for 40 years, I would have appreciated having this book in the school library or in my classroom. It is a heartwarming story for autistic children, their parents, and regular classroom students. It educates the reader about the struggles of an autistic child. A five star review is definitely in order for this creative and beautiful book.
  By Claudette Litz on July 18, 2016
• This book was a delight from beginning to end. This book was a delight from beginning to end. What fun to go along on this adventure with Andy. What set the book apart was the author could have written a non fiction book about a social skill. Instead, she took the reader along with Andy and embedded the lesson within the frame work of the story. Great fun! 
  By Mike on June 7, 2016