Interview: Johanna Peyton
SARAH STEINBACHER: Your debut picture book ALL BRAINS WELCOME celebrates each child’s unique brain. Why is it important to celebrate neurodivergence, especially within the children’s book space?
JOHANNA PEYTON: The world is built for and around neurotypical thinkers because they represent the majority of the population. This often leaves neurodivergent children (and adults) feeling different and uncomfortable in their surroundings even before they have a diagnosis. Then once a diagnosis is made, the focus is often on how to fix things. While this is well intentioned and often helpful and needed, it frames neurodivergence in the negative – as the problem.
But neurodivergence isn’t solely a problem that needs a solution. It is a different and beautiful way of viewing the world and comes with many unique gifts. By introducing children to their neurodivergence with excitement and celebration, I believe it shines a positive light on what makes them uniquely who they are. Having children’s books that share this celebratory view helps reinforce the positivity and proud ownership of neurodivergence.
SARAH STEINBACHER: Your story promotes empathy and respecting others’ differences. How are these themes critical for children’s development?
JOHANNA PEYTON: You nailed it! It is developmentally appropriate for children to notice differences between themselves and others, and ALL BRAINS WELCOME offers them practical ways to handle those differences. Each page includes empathy tips on how to be a kind and supportive friend to those with each of these neurodivergent conditions. For example, asking before giving a hug, allowing others to work without distractions, letting others volunteer to read out loud, listening to and support what others say they need, and more.
I love this aspect of the book because it encompasses children on all sides of the neurodiversity spectrum. Children with that specific neurodivergent condition feel seen and supported while others are given practical ways to show empathy and respect. It makes me think of the phrase, “when we know better, we do better.” This part of the book offers children (and adults) ways to do just that. And while they might seem small, these acts of empathy and respect can be very powerful when received.
SARAH STEINBACHER: ALL BRAINS WELCOME covers different conditions like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and Down syndrome. What did you do to help ensure authentic representation for your characters?
JOHANNA PEYTON: To be honest, this is something that ramped up my imposter syndrome because the only neurodivergent condition I have is dyslexia. My desire with this book was to uplift those with neurodivergence and the last thing I wanted was to accidentally misrepresent a neurodivergent condition that I don’t share.
So, I utilized my research-heavy master’s degree in public health and did a TON of research. I interviewed people with varying conditions. I read picture books, adult nonfiction texts, memoirs, research studies, advocacy websites, and more. Then I asked expert readers (Child Psychologists, Occupational Therapists, Certified Academic Language Therapists, and mothers of neurodivergent children) to read my manuscript for authenticity and accuracy. And then once the art and text were combined, my publisher hired another expert reader to review the pictures and words together.
We all worked very hard to get everything right but that said, every neurodivergent brain belongs to an individual who has their own experiences, preferences and way of viewing the world. We tried to make the book as inclusive as possible, but no picture book could ever represent all the differences that make us who we are. ALL BRAINS WELCOME isn’t meant to be a complete list of neurodiversity, but rather I hope it is a celebration that inspires more learning.
SARAH STEINBACHER: How have your own experiences as a neurodivergent person influenced your writing?
JOHANNA PEYTON: This is an interesting question, because I’m never sure what influences stem from my neurodivergence and what are just parts of who I am. Maybe they are all one in the same.
Either way, finding out that I have dyslexia as an adult has given me the confidence to fully embrace what I need to be successful. For instance, I’m a slow reader. This has caused me shame for years, but now I know that it’s just part of how my brain works and I need to allocate more time to complete heavy reading tasks. I also work best in a quiet environment. As much as I want to write in trendy coffee shops, I know this isn’t a place where I’m going to be able to think clearly. I also think that my brain makes connections and notices patterns that adds to the uniqueness of my writing.
But moreover, as a neurodivergent person who wasn’t diagnosed until adulthood, I have immense empathy and admiration for neurodivergent children, including my own three children with a variety of neurodivergent conditions. As a neurodivergent adult, I have the freedom to build my world so that it is comfortable and suits me, as I partially listed above. Children don’t have that luxury. Until they can advocate for themselves, they are reliant on the grownups around them to help create spaces where they can thrive. This is a huge responsibility and privilege and one that I hope the grownup reading ALL BRAINS WELCOME will take seriously and feel empowered to do.
SARAH STEINBACHER: Do you have any organizations or resources on neurodivergence that you’d like to share?
JOHANNA PEYTON: In the past few years, I have been so excited to see the increase in neurodivergent affirming books for children. Have a great list on my website.
In the backmatter of ALL BRAINS WELCOME I’ve highlighted the following two great nonfiction picture books on neurodivergence: WONDERFULLY WIRED BRAINS: An Introduction to the World of Neurodiversity by Louise Gooding and Ruth Burrows and THIS IS MY BRAIN! A Book on Neurodiversity by Elise Gravel.
SARAH STEINBACHER: As a debut author, how are you preparing for your first book release? What steps are you taking to help market it?
JOHANNA PEYTON: Leading up to this release of this book, I heard lots of advice on book promotion. Everything from “the best way to promote your book, is by working on your next book” i.e., not doing anything, to “publishers expect authors to heavily market their book, and your next book deal will be based on those sales numbers” i.e., do everything! I think both these pieces of advice contain a variation of truth, but with limited time and money, what’s an author to do!?
Thankfully I heard a respected, multi-published author (but I can’t remember who specifically – forgive me!) give the wise advice that when it comes to book promotion, focus on the things that spark joy. This resonated most and I have tried to make it my driving focus throughout this process.
So, the things that have made cut for me are: 1) interviews like this that connect with fellow writers because I know helpful reading interviews like this has been to me as a writer; 2) reaching out to my family and friend network to encourage preorder sales because this has been the community that has been cheering me on from the start; 3) promoting the book across my social media channels, mainly Instagram, because that is exciting and creatively expressive for me; and 4) setting up readings at local bookstores and schools because connecting this book with its child readers is ultimately the whole point.
SARAH STEINBACHER: During Storystorm this year, you shared how important celebrations are to you and your family. How do you plan to celebrate your big release?
JOHANNA PEYTON: This is such a fun question! I am planning lots of small celebrations with family, friends, and other writers who have generously supported me along this journey towards publication. One of the things I’m looking forward to most is signing a big stack of preorders at BookPeople, one of Austin’s local independent bookstores. And then August 4th – the big release day – I’ll be popping some bubbly and cheering that this book is finally out in the world and in the hands of readers!
SARAH STEINBACHER: What children’s book author(s) do you most admire?
JOHANNA PEYTON: There are SO many! A few of my automatic buys in the picture book space are anything written by Liz Garton Scanlon, Pat Zietlow Miller, Deborah Underwood, Julie Fogliano, Anne Wynter, and more! In the middle grade space, I adore Erin Entrada Kelly, Dan Gemeinhart, and Kate DiCamillo among others.
SARAH STEINBACHER: What project(s) are you working on now?
JOHANNA PEYTON: I currently have two picture books on submission with my agent – one about body neutrality and one centering an unlikely friendship. fingers crossed! I am also working on a middle grade novel set at a summer camp and am constantly working on a slew of picture books in varying stages of development.
Follow Johanna through her website, Instagram, Bluesky, Threads, and X.
*****Order Johanna’s picture book, ALL BRAINS WELCOME, available now.*****
