I have two children with autism, Nic and Izzy. My daughter, Izzy, currently doesn’t have a voice so I have had to become hers. Many people don’t quite understand her, so I decided to write a book so that her friends and teachers can understand her a little better and learn that you don’t need to be afraid of Izzy just because she’s a little different. Hopefully this book will spread a little aloha around the world and help to make this world a better place.
If you have any questions about Nic, Izzy or my book, I would love to hear from you. You can connect with me through my contact page, Goodreads, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
Be kind to one another. Mahalo.
CONNECT WITH VINCENT
In the News
About The Book
This is a funny story about a young girl named Izzy, who has autism and goes to school but still can’t talk. While she may have trouble saying things, Izzy loves to express herself using all of her senses. She loves to smell, see, hear, taste and touch just about everything and would like to share with you a glimpse of why she does the things that she does.
She knows that she is different from her friends and family, making it hard for her to be a part of our world. She sees things differently, listens differently and can behave differently, and when she wants to say something, she can sometimes get frustrated when words don’t come out. It’s not easy being Izzy, but with a little bit of understanding, a happy smile and a kind heart, maybe we can join in her adventures and be a part of her world.
Izzy is Me is written for her K-6 friends and all those who live, work or play with someone that has autism or might know someone with autism. The hope is that we all learn to better love, understand and be kind to one another and share a little more Aloha around the world.
Click here for a look inside Izzy is Me: Adventures in Autism!
About The Author
Vincent Michael dela Luna was born on June 9, 1975 in Manila, Philippines. His father, Antonio, and mother, Maria, moved the family to Hamilton, Ontario, Canada in 1977 with little more than the clothes on their backs. Vince has two younger sisters, Antonette and Jennifer.
As Vince grew older, his life took him on his own adventures. He spent time in Rome, London, Toronto, Vancouver, Manila and Honolulu. Vince then returned to Canada to live in Edmonton where he decided to publish his first book.
During a twenty-year span living in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, where he made movies and television shows, he met and married his wife, Chix, and assisted in the creation of his two most favourite people, Nic and Izzy. It was also in Vancouver, where Nic and then Izzy were both diagnosed with autism. After years of watching his children grow on opposite sides of the autism spectrum and with Izzy’s struggles increasing due to the severity of being non-verbal, Vincent recognized the need to stop working in film and start caring for his children full-time.
As Nic and Izzy went about their own adventures, they taught their father the meaning of patience, love, and understanding, and showed him the need for everyone to better understand autism, not just to rid the world of the fear and stigma of it, but simply to help everyone become better and kinder human beings.
And so, begins his first story, designed for children, to try and answer some of their endless questions about Izzy and her autism and why she does what she does.
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My Reason For Writing
I have two kids on either side of the autism spectrum. My daughter is severe, non-verbal and still in diapers at age 9. The general perception is that she has anger and behaviour issues. She does not listen. She screams for no reason. She hurts herself and attacks and fights with people trying to help her. It can be a scary and daunting experience, especially for her unprepared classmates and teachers. She does not listen to anyone without a struggle… except me. I have very few problems with her and she is typically happy, smiling and laughing around me. Many people ask me how.
Now imagine this: we crawl across the desert and arrive at an oasis. You try to ask me for some water because all you taste is dry sand and can barely breathe. Only a moan comes out of your parched mouth. Thinking you are hungry, I look at you and offer you some of the crackers I was eating. You shake your head and kindly ask once more for some much-needed water. Again, only a moan. I tilt my head, trying to understand you. I see you looking at my bag, so I reach in and offer you the map. A little frustrated now, you ask again, moaning louder. I am honestly trying to help you, so I offer you my banana. The act of trying to talk has made your throat hurt even more, it is so dry. You moan louder and longer, visibly agitated. I stand up and ask you what you want. You punch the ground. How can you make me understand? You glare at me, trying to force my mind to hear you. You scream. I hold out my hand towards you and you swat it away. You punch your head so hard it bleeds and then start pulling your hair… hard. Chunks of hair are in your hands. I try to prevent you from hurting yourself. You wail in despair. You are so thirsty. I try and help you and you just scratch and push me because I am not giving you what you are so desperately asking for.
You see, in another person’s eyes, you scream, moan and hurt yourself and others for no reason. You do things that we have been taught not to do our whole lives. I am trying to help, and you will not listen. You are aggressive and it is extremely hard for us to be around you. But the thing is, it will always be harder to be you because that is your life every day. That situation would frustrate any one of us. So, I do not view my daughter as a person with behaviour issues. I see her as an intelligent person that is constantly frustrated because of communication issues.
Because I do not expect her to act and behave like everyone else, I am not frightened of her. I try to understand what she is trying to say so she has less communication issues with me. It may appear to others that I can magically control her. The truth is, she is just less frustrated with me because I tend to understand her more often than not. And the reason for that, is simple. Whenever she loses control and gets upset. I think of that little story I just told you. I imagine myself with Izzy’s never-ending frustration and that gives me unbelievable empathy, patience and understanding.
It made me wonder how much better life would be if everyone could see the world through Izzy’s eyes and perhaps gain a better understanding of her normal. Not just for autistic people but for everyone. I think Ellen DeGeneres coined it perfectly in saying, “Be kind to one another.”
So, after Oprah inspired me in Edmonton when she basically told all of us to take the first step and after talking to Temple Grandin when she also visited and showed me that many of the issues are just because most people do not understand that the autistic mind works very differently, I decided to write this children’s book in the hope that if people can learn to see the world through Izzy’s eyes and realize that she is not scary but very much like the rest of us, then the world will hopefully become a better and kinder place for everyone. And then, maybe then, people like my daughter can find happiness among you.
Reviews
Did you love Izzy is Me? If you don’t know how to express your newfound joy, here are a few suggestions:
1. Tell your friends and family 2. Please ask your local libraries for the book so that they can keep it on the shelves 2. Share your experience in a review on Amazon.com, Amazon.ca or Goodreads 3. Connect with me on social media or leave a review below
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An Amazing Story
September 8, 2024
An absolutely amazing book for all ages to read. It has humour, poetry and illustrations/pictures that are so beautiful. Honestly, I had a smile on my face when I read it 3 consecutive times in one sitting.
The great author really made it clear for everyone to understand what autism is and how, if you will follow his ways of calming down Izzy, can help a lot of people.
It also shows his real love for his family and will do anything for them.
Virginia Leon
Amazing Book and Very Informative!
September 8, 2024
My girls and I love this book. Not only it is beautifully written, it is also very informative and useful. It gives us a better understanding on what it would be like to be like Izzy. It is very easy to imagine ourselves living in Izzy’s shoes as well as her family’s. As a parent, this book teaches me to be more understanding, caring, loving, empathetic, grateful, and more faithful. This also teaches me the value and importance of family and that, like time, they should not be taken for granted.
Vincent, thank you for telling us about your family, about your beautiful Izzy. God bless!
YES, I recommend this book to everyone!
Marie Johnson
Informative, Humourous & Heartfelt
September 8, 2024
My first experience with autism was in elementary school, with a classmate. I remember then that while many of my classmates misunderstood him or even feared him, T was just trying to express himself and communicate his thoughts and feelings. This book immediately took me back to that childhood and how I wish my teachers and classmates (and I) all could’ve read this then.
Fast forward 20+ years and I now work at a post secondary school. Over the years I have worked with several autistic students, all very different from one another. Though I assist adults, this book has shaped and widened my understanding all the same, and the author has done so in an accessible, funny, sweet story.
Kids and adults both have a lot to gain and learn from this book and I am better for reading it!
Jen, Student Services Mgr
Opening a Door of Knowledge for the Rest of Us
September 8, 2024
I just finished reading the book. Thank you, Vince, for opening a door of knowledge for the rest of us. Perhaps knowledge can turn to wisdom.
Sigmund Tate
A Sweet and Beautiful Girl Named Izzy.
September 8, 2024
Izzy is Me is a children’s book about a sweet and beautiful girl named Izzy.
It was authored by someone who knows Izzy very well, her father.
The colorful cover page of the book gives everyone a preview of what Izzy and her brother Nic enjoy doing.
I read this book to my 3 1/2 year old grandson and he listened attentively , for the words used are understandable, very kid friendly.
As I turn the pages of the book, my grandson’s eyes were focused on the attractive pictures and the big characters of the letters.
I cannot say at this time if he fully can process that Izzy and Nic have special traits in them but it is a beginning of learning similarities and differences .
Vincent Michael dela Luna, the author, achieved two goals in writing his first book. He pictured his two children Nic and Izzy in their playful , inquisitive , moody moments but at the same time going deeper into understanding what is a developmental disorder like to children and adults.
I highly recommend this book to parents, grand parents who can add this to their collection of good reading books to their children and grandchildren.
I look forward to Vincent’s next books on Adventures in Autism.
Paulina Lagman Mendoza
Must Have Book
September 8, 2024
The illustrations are beautiful. This book should be in every classroom and read by every parent to their kids. It’s a great way to explain the autistic word to an non autistic child or even to family. Great way to see how Izzy and many other children see the world.
Wanda Davila
The Greatest Book
September 8, 2024
Is a nice book I really like it I also really like it because it was made my friends dad
Angad Rai
Loved it!
September 8, 2024
This is a really good book that comes from the point of view of a child living with ASL. Reading this book to other young children with ASL has been amazing -they get super stoked. I think it gives them a feeling that someone else understands them. Such a great book! I had to buy a second copy to give to my cousin. They loved it too and bought another to send to a friend.
Coco
Your Book is Beyond Amazing !!!
September 8, 2024
Izzy is Me is a remarkable title that warms the heart of anyone who reads it. Autism is complicated especially when children are non speaking and struggling with sleep issues. Your book offers hope as well as a positive tool for the future.
Karen Simmons
Extremely helpful explanation of non-verbal and semi-verbal autistic children
September 8, 2024
I have several autistic children in my friends and family circle, and I found this book to be a non-intimidating explanation of what it can be like for kids on the less-verbal side of the spectrum. The author explained the book as a way to help people understand his family and daughter, and he definitely succeeded with that. I’ve found other books in this category to be too preachy or informative to keep any kid’s attention, but this one is a wonderfully illustrated story about a single girl that kept my 5 year old, neurotypical, son interested. Plus, the text formatting is visual and just plain fun to look at.
Nikki
If I can say: Incredible!
September 8, 2024
I have been teaching for 20 years and I’ve worked with Autistic kids. This book is heartfelt!
What’s really incredible is that you have encompassed what it means for other children to figure out what is this thing called Autism. Now more than ever I will push this with my school and quite possibly (with the LAC teachers help) other schools as well.
Elementary School Teacher
Beautiful, Touching Story
September 8, 2024
Izzy is Me is an absolutely beautiful story that touched my heart in so many ways. The author, Vincent dela Luna, perfectly puts the reader in the shoes of an individual with Autism. This is a funny and engaging story that clearly helps both children and adults understand the daily challenges of Autism. As an educator, I am constantly learning more and more about how to support children with diverse and complex needs, and this book truly captured what my former and future students are experiencing. I would recommend that all teachers, parents and educators read Izzy is Me to the children in their care as it will help everyone relate and connect closer with a friend or peer who has Autism. I know this story will inspire many people to be more kind, thoughtful and caring each and every day.
Brianne
This beautifully illustrated book, written by a father who had to learn how to navigate the different world that his autistic daughter Izzy lives in
January 23, 2021
People find comfort in what is familiar.
When thrust into a situation that is different from the usual serenity of the sameness and order we have come to expect, our instinct is to recoil, to distance ourselves, or even to mock whoever and whatever does not conform to our expectation.
This beautifully illustrated book, written by a father who had to learn how to navigate the different world that his autistic daughter Izzy lives in, gives us insight into the richness of her world that is different, but no less interesting and valid than what we know. Just because Izzy is non-verbal does not mean she has nothing to say.
Izzy is on that not-too-easy path to finding her voice. May this book illuminate the way for anyone who wishes to experience her world as her friend.
Nelia Ruiz Cortez
Best Book to buy
January 22, 2021
Inspiring, engaging and very useful…different and interesting..excellent and i throughly recommend it to anyone👌.. it is a must read😇
Priya
A sweet and lovely book chronicling the daily activities, struggles and experiences of Izzy.
January 22, 2021
I loved this sweet little book. The illustrations are beautiful, as well. I think it would be very beneficial for young children to read and understand a bit more about how people with autism live and feel.
