We’re honored to spotlight author Julie Day, whose heartfelt stories blend magical realism with powerful representations of neurodivergent characters, sparking imagination and hope in young readers. This conversation on autism representation in kidlit is especially close to our hearts. One of our hosts, Jackie Garcia-Morales, is an autistic adult who has long championed authentic inclusion in children’s literature. From curating thoughtful title-level collaborations to spearheading introductions that lead to series acquisition by and about autistic individuals—including David Isaacman from Netflix’s Love on the Spectrum US — Jackie is a passionate advocate for authentic autistic representation. Today, we’re proud to highlight Julie’s thoughts as a fellow autistic author, setting a foundation for the conversation of how to accurately portray authentic voices of marginalized identities in children’s literature.
Julie’s work exemplifies how inclusive storytelling can celebrate neurodiversity, while also inspiring young autistic readers to see themselves as heroes of their own magical journeys. In this interview, Julie offers insight into how she crafts emotionally authentic autistic characters, avoids harmful stereotypes, and encourages others to write with care, research, and representation in mind.
Let’s keep it short and sweet—we’re jumping right in!
Question: Tell us a little about yourself and your relationship to autism. What inspired you to combine magical realism with stories about autistic children?
Julie: I was diagnosed with Asperger’s in 2011 at the age of 40. It made sense of my life for me. I had already written a few children’s books with magical elements. In fact, it was a children’s story that came second in a writing competition that started it all for me. It was about a bully who got her comeuppance through a pair of magical shoes—a story that was originally written for adults.
When I began Billy and the Sparkling Socks, I didn’t know he was autistic. I only knew that he had become “super” to his classmates through his socks. After seeing the play The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, I realized why he needed to become super—he was shy, didn’t like reading out loud, and yet, he did read. Then the magic came in, and I made his socks sparkle and take him to a world where he sees himself as a confident storyteller.
Q: How can fantasy or magical elements help young readers, especially those who are neurodivergent, explore real-life emotions and challenges?
Julie: The premise of a school uniform becoming magical and taking the character into another world that shows them they can become confident by using their skills runs through the Rainbow School series. Autistic children can imagine what their confident alter-egos would do in real life and learn from that.
Q: When writing autistic characters, how do you ensure emotional authenticity in a way that young readers can understand?
Julie: I try to remember what it was like at that age—how I behaved at school and at home. Each main character in the Rainbow School series is loosely based on me.
Q: What do you wish more writers would consider when representing neurodivergent characters in children’s books?
Julie: Get their facts right. Ask autistic children and adults about their experiences. If you’re not sure, then don’t do it. I think the most authentic books with neurodivergent characters are the ones written by neurodivergent people themselves.
Q: How do you avoid common missteps when portraying autism in your stories, and what tips do you have for others who want to write more inclusively?
Julie: I read autism magazines and social media posts by autism families. I’ve also had the chance to meet autistic children and understand that they are not all the same. My tips: do thorough research. If you can, speak with autistic adults. Get the right information from autistic voices. Don’t rely on misinformation.
Q: For authors who are not neurodivergent, what is one meaningful way they can begin to include autistic characters with care?
Julie: Research. If you know someone who is autistic or has an autistic child, then speak to them and ask their advice.
Q: How do you strike a balance between advocating for awareness and letting neurodivergent characters simply exist as joyful, complex protagonists?
Julie: I make each character different—just like in real life, each autistic child is different. We all have different abilities, strengths, and interests.
Q: What trends are you noticing—or would like to see—in how autism and mental health are represented in children’s and YA literature?
Julie: I’ve seen lots of picture books about autistic children and mental health, but not much fiction in the age range I write for—and even less for teens, especially through traditional publishers. I’m working on that. I’d like to see books that feature autistic children from a young age through to adolescence, including YA. Autistic children grow up to be autistic adults—as I know firsthand. That’s my plan.
Q: How can librarians and educators use your books as conversation starters to promote emotional wellness and neurodiversity in classrooms? Can you recommend a few other books that teachers or parents should have on their bookshelves?
Julie: Good question—I’ve already inspired one librarian to create a neurodiversity section in their children’s department. Read my book Billy and ask questions about what it’s like being autistic and what the reader learned about autism and confidence. Besides my books, the only other autistic authors I know of are Holly Smale, who wrote the Geek Girl series, and Elle McNicoll. There are others, but they aren’t as well known yet.
Q: What advice would you give to other autistic or neurodivergent writers who are looking to find their voice in the publishing world?
Julie: If you can’t get your book traditionally published, then publish it yourself. That way, you can market and promote it the way you want—and reach the readers who really need it.
Q: What do you hope children take away from your books?
Julie: I want autistic children to believe that if they find something they love—a special interest—it can help them gain confidence in life and possibly build a future career. I also want them to be able to relate to the characters in ways they often can’t in most books. And for their allistic (non-autistic) siblings, I hope my stories help them understand what it’s like for someone in their family to be autistic.
Thank you to Julie Day for sharing her insight and experiences with our storytellers! We hope her perspective encourages authors and illustrators to thoughtfully and authentically portray autistic characters in their work. Just because Autism Acceptance Month has passed doesn’t mean the conversation ends—uplifting autistic voices is something we should continue all year long. If you found this interview helpful or inspiring, please share it with others and keep advocating!
Connect with Julie here: