Susanna Moses

Meet Monica. An adorable little girl with a wild imagination and a curious nature. She gets into everything Monica is creative, intelligent and funny. She loves to play, but usually all alone. Monica does not talk, so it is difficult for her to make friends. Children do not understand why she cannot speak and sometimes tease her. They call her cruel names and tell her that she is weird. What other's think is different about Monica, is actually unique. Monica has Autism. Join Monica on her many adventures and experience what it is like to live with autism. You will gain an understanding of autism and learn to appreciate these amazing individuals. Monica Moses was diagnosed with severe Autism Spectrum Disorder by age three. Today, she has been re-assessed and was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome or high functioning autism. Her remarkable healing has spanned over 18 years and continues today. Susanna Moses, Monica's mom, wrote this first book for the Monica's Silent World series in 2001 when Monica was still non-verbal. You can read more about their incredible story inside this book. The publishing of Monica's Silent World took over 12 years. Susanna was in search of the perfect illustrator. Who would have ever imagined that the artist would be Monica herself? You can read more about this inside too. For more information and/or to invite Susanna and Monica Moses to speak at your event, please visit www.susannamoses.com - www.cartooncool.org and www.handinhand4autism.org

Meet Nectar, the product of four year-old Sofia's imagination. After witnessing some children tease her big sister Monica, who has autism, Sofia created Nectar and his cute group of buggy buddies. She used them to process what she had experienced and as a tool to help other children her age learn about the effects of bullying. Sofia, Monica and their mom, worked together to develop a story at a Pre-K to Second grade level, that teaches the importance of choices. Join Nectar and his pals to learn why it is always best to "BEE NICE". Nectar The Unique Bumble Bee, is interactive and can easily be used as an enhancement for anti-bullying campaigns. The story promotes responsibility and respect by offering the young audience the opportunity to make the choice to "BEE NICE" to others. This story reinforces working hard, pride in a job well done and believing in oneself no matter what others may say. Included are discussion questions to engage the listeners in open dialog about different abilities and bullying. Also included are a ribbon and an official member of the BEE NICE CLUB certificate for each child to decorate, sign and keep. Sofia, Monica and their mom, Susanna hope that Nectar's image and story will captivate and influence children from a young age, to be respectful of other people's feelings. They desire that children not simply learn to accept differences, but to perceive diverseness positively . Everyone can be a friend to others if they choose to Read the story and find out what all the BUZZ is about