PBParty Entry #2 : Tic, Tic, Stop!

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GENRE: *Diverse/Neurodiverse, Character Driven, SEL

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WORDS: 380

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Query:

Dear PB Party Agents and Editors,

I’m excited to share with you my Own Voices story of a child’s rhythmic, day-in-the-life with Tourette’s Syndrome.

Tap-tap, twitch-twitch, tic-tic, STOP! When a young, Neurodiverse child is frustrated by the rhythms of her tics, she tries her best to mask them. But, when her body becomes overwhelmed and overstimulated, she must find ways to calm her body and brain, and learn to accept the power inside her. A power stronger than any tic.

TIC, TIC, STOP is a 390-word picture book for ages 4-8, with back matter that offers practical ways to cope with tics and Tourette’s Syndrome. Think Elsa’s battle in FROZEN, to, “Conceal, don’t feel, don’t let them know,” mixed with the unexplainable need to move and let it out in WIGGLES, STOMPS AND SQUEEZES CALM MY JITTERS DOWN and SULLIVAN, WHO IS ALWAYS TOO LOUD.

I was diagnosed with Tourette’s Syndrome as a child, and grew up with the constant battle of trying to mask my tics. I wrote this story to show the diversity of tics and coping strategies, all of which are unique to each child.

As a first grade teacher in Washington, DC, my students love to ask, “WHY?” Although I can’t explain why, I can share how. I want every child, tic or no tic, to enter into what it feels like, when your body has a mind of its own, and see how taking care of our body and brain is beneficial to all of us.

I am an active member of SCBWI, Julie Hedlund’s 12 x 12 Picture Book Challenge, multiple critique groups and won PB Party Honorable Mentions in both 2021 and 2022.

Per your submission guidelines, my first 60-ish words are included. Thank you for taking the time to consider my work!

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Now that PBParty 2023 is over, the author asked me to remove the sample.

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What inspired you to write this story & what do you have in common with it:

I was inspired to write this story to share my experience dealing with Tourette’s Syndrome as both a child and an adult. Friends, students, and family members ask, “Why are you doing that?” “Are you okay?” Or, comment that they haven’t noticed it. But, I do! My body moves and operates a bit differently, and my hope is for other children to be able to empower themselves, while embracing their tics.