Candice Samons

My name is Candice Samons, and I’m a proud mom to my wonderful 5-year-old daughter, Taylor, who has been the inspiration behind my book series Taylor's Tales. Our journey with her autism began when she was 18 months old, and we are on a quest to show others that being different is perfectly fine. The books can be read in any order and aim to help children understand some of the characteristics of autism. I would like to encourage children to celebrate the beauty of being different, while recognizing their own special talents. The stories are inspired by our experience with Taylor's journey through autism, highlighting what it means to be non-verbal and how some children use stimming as a way to express their energy and emotions. A key message I want to convey is that even though Taylor is non-verbal, she has her own unique way of communicating and has a lot to teach us. The stories in the series include; ‘Out of My Shell: Taylor’s Tale of Friendship’ - A story about friendship and learning valuable life lessons ‘Discovering the World: Taylor’s Tale of Sensory Exploration’ - Exploring the sensory world through sight, sound, taste, smell and touch - this story also includes the need for glasses and hearing aids ‘Finding My Feet: Taylor’s Tale of Starting School’ - Starting school in an Autism Class and learning to regulate in a new environment 'A Time to Heal: Taylor's Tale of Recovery' - A doctor's visit and overnight stay in hospital that is not as scary as once imagined The stories include the main character Taylor the Turtle, an inquisitive and adventurous creature. She loves excitement and seeks out new experiences. Being autistic, she initially uses her shell as a protective barrier from the outside world. She finds it difficult to make eye contact with other animals and she struggles to form friendships since she hasn't yet learned to speak. As Taylor embarks on each of the adventures, she encounters various animals and forms new friendships, while discovering important lessons that help her navigate life's obstacles. Throughout her journey, she gradually emerges from her shell, learns to embrace her differences, and recognizes her own uniqueness as a strength. She also discovers that she has valuable insights to offer her new friends, even without using spoken words. I hope you find as much joy in reading these books as I have found in writing them. Always remember to celebrate your uniqueness and embrace your differences, staying true to who you are!