A Highland city official is writing children’s books to teach acceptance and kindness to children with autism.
Toya Smith, a former Highland city councilor who now serves on the Highland Plan Commission, has written a series of books about the character Arti: “Arti the Super Kid,” “Arti & Ken Friends in Harmony” and “Arti the Superkid’s Furry Friend.” She also wrote “The Sun Didn’t Shine,” described as “a heartwarming story about finding light in the darkest of places,” about a child who bounces between foster homes before meeting a new friend at school.
“I came up with Arti the Superkid to honor people on the autism spectrum in my personal life,” she said. “They may feel weird or different. That’s what motivated me to make the Arti books. I want to encourage people on the autism spectrum and remind them that it’s important to be kind.”
After finding an illustrator, she wrote the books for several years, inspired by people with autism, including a nephew and a young man who is not related to her but calls her aunt. It always bothered her when she heard that people didn’t want to play with them or be friends with them at school.
People also read…
Smith created the character Arti, whom she describes as a smart child with autism spectrum disorder who loves to read and explore.
“People need to understand that they’re not weird just because they’re on the spectrum,” she said. “My main goal is to encourage people to be kind. A lot of young people on the spectrum don’t know how to handle this situation. They don’t have the tools to do so. Being kind helps a lot.”
She always wanted to be a journalist, but had a preference for children’s books such as “The Cat in the Hat”.
Smith, who also executive produced the film “Can’t Get Right,” now playing on Tubi, was motivated to write children’s books in part by an infamous incident in which she was hurled with racial slurs after a Highland City Council Zoom meeting was hijacked.
“I was a grown woman, but this hurt me more than I thought it would. It affected me so much. I didn’t think it would affect me so much, but it really bothered me,” she said. “I always thought about how it would affect a young person to be bullied like that. I didn’t want them to feel hurt by being treated differently. I want to stand up for the kids. It makes me feel good when I can change the heart of a child or parent and show them the importance of being kind. It makes me feel good when I can change it even a little bit.”
All four books are available on Amazon and at Lake County Public Library branches.
Smith will hold a book signing on Saturday, August 24, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Miles Books, 2819 Jewett Ave. in Highland.
She will also appear in schools and read her works.
For more information, please email [email protected].
