Local Author Jamie M. Miller Pens Second Children’s Book

“The Boy and His Wandering Wallaby” is the follow-up children’s book to 2015’s “The Boy in the Yellow Raincoat”, by author Jamie M. Miller. This is the second book in the series.
The first book in the series, titled, “The Boy in the Yellow Raincoat,” tells the story of a little boy who has a strong dislike for rain. It is because of his Sensory Processing Disorder, a condition commonly associated with autism in which the senses are not correctly perceived in the brain and can cause an ‘overload’ as well as aversions to sounds, textures, lights, smells, etc. In the story, the boy is frightened of the rain’s sounds, how it feels and the way it stings his skin. Within the comfort of his yellow raincoat and the love and story-telling from his mother, the boy learns to understand the positive purpose for rain and overcomes his fear by learning a new approach when handling what displeases him about the rain.
Much like “The Boy in the Yellow Raincoat,” “The Boy and His Wandering Wallaby” touches on characteristics of Autism and Sensory Processing Disorder and the attachment children can have with a specific object that they use for comfort, such as a stuffed animal. In the story, the boy and his wallaby share many adventures until one day, the boy wakes up to find his wallaby missing. He panics, but his mother once again comforts her son and promises to find the beloved toy while he is in school. At the end of the day, the boy returns home and waiting is his wallaby!
The picture books are aimed for ages Pre-K through First grade. Both stories were written with the intention of bringing awareness to understand Sensory Processing Disorders, autism and other disabilities. Miller’s own son and inspiration for the books are based from his own struggles with his disorders and explaining why he was ‘different’ to his peers. She hopes the books will open a line of communication between a child and the person reading the stories to them and promote anti-bullying, especially to those with adversities. The boy remains nameless to act as a relatable character so that readers can envision themselves as the star to place themselves in the situation.
For both projects, Miller collaborated with illustrator and friend, Matthew J. Corrales to bring the books to life. Corrales was up for the challenge. With his artistic talent, he recreated the characters and scenes, bringing the stories to life with vivid artwork designed to capture the attention of young children and to promote question asking.
Miller will be hosting several readings of “The Boy and his Wandering Wallaby” throughout 2017 at local libraries, elementary and preschools and other events. She will kick off the “Read across America Campaign” at John P. Faber Elementary School in Dunellen at the end of February and will post future events on her Facebook page, The Boy Series. When she isn’t writing, Miller is an employee of Bill Vince’s V.I.P. Honda in North Plainfield.
“The Boy and His Wandering Wallaby” was published in November, 2016 and along with “The Boy in the Yellow Raincoat,” both are available online in print and electronic versions through Barnes and Noble: www.barnesandboble.com Amazon: www.amazon.com and Lulu Publishing: www.lulu.com