eating pizza backwards, and other adventures: a mom, a daughter, a life unexpected

by Eileen Flood O'Connor

Parenting brings a world of joy and challenge. Raising a special needs child only magnifies the highs and lows that all parents experience. This beautiful collection of essays spotlights and celebrates the unique perspective differently abled children offer all who love and care for them. 

Eileen Flood O'Connor, whose oldest child has an autism spectrum disorder, pens an anthology of essays that detail the many ways her daughter has given her family a new outlook on everything from grocery shopping to grieving a grandparent - or beloved service dog. O'Connor brings honesty, humor and deep wells of gratitude to her stories about raising a special needs child alongside three younger brothers. 

"These delicately woven essays tell the story of a mother and daughter gently guiding each other - and us - to seek out joy and wonder everywhere. Their family's story is exactly the gift we need right now," writes Annabel Monaghan, USA bestselling author of Nora Goes Off Script. 

eating pizza backwards and other adventures ... a mom, a daughter, a life unexpected is for anyone who has ever been thrown a curveball and looking to find a silver lining or two. 

193 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 24, 2025

Reviews

[Sarah Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

So wonderful to read my aunt’s book about her life with her daughter Erin 💛 a beautiful and nuanced collection of stories

[Erin Svare · Rating 5 out of 5]

It made me laugh and smile, and it made me cry. Throughout the beautiful collection of essays, I found myself nodding a lot because these stories remind me of my niece and my sister. My niece is 11 and has the same diagnoses as Erin. My sister Emily read the book and recommended it to our family. I’m very grateful she did and I’m even more grateful that Eileen wrote this book. When you love someone unique, you realize how challenging it is for their family to do things that some take for granted. My sister and brother in law have two neurotypical children who are loyal, dependable, loving and supportive of their sister. But it’s not always easy. Eileen’s collection of essays are brave, relatable, and written eloquently with refreshing humor and love. I loved every page.

[Margaret Emory]

How could I and the other library ladies not respond when Erin and the wonderful Pedro made their visits to the Children’s Room. Rarely did we see such enthusiasm for books or the attention to detail that Erin exhibited. Of course there was a pie on the book’s cover and one of the dictionaries definitely was blue. Eileen Flood O’Connor is highly observant too as she records the small moments that make up her days with Erin and shares both the joys and the difficulties of mothering a beloved, though different, daughter. “eating pizza backwards” will remind every parent to take a breath during the tough times and to cherish and dwell in all the others.

[Cliona · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you need a book that will inspire you to find the awe in simple things - look no further because Erin is the expert at that and her Mom Eileen tells her story so beautifully. Savor every story….. they are the best!

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

The beautiful little things. Amazing book, amazing author! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️