Wally and the Magic Acorn: A Children's Storybook about Returning the Favor

by Kate Foster

Wally and The Magic Acorn tells the adventurous and heartfelt tale of a wild pig named Wally.
One day, Wally sleepwalks to the big city. He is led by the sweet smells from his dream. As he wakes up, Wally is chased through the streets by several people. Wally runs away until he stumbles upon an old barn in the country. The barn is filled with acorns that serve as tasty treats for him. He soon meets Miranda, a kind witch that takes care of him for the rest of the winter months.
When spring arrives, Wally decides to return to his home in the mountains. Then, the following winter, he returns to visit Miranda. This time though, it is Miranda who needs Wally’s help.

55 pages, Paperback

Published November 22, 2021

About the author

As a speaker, I am authentic, passionate, and friendly in my approach. I talk sensitively but always positively and sincerely with children, with the help of an interactive PowerPoint, about autism and mental health, encouraging them to understand the internal, invisible struggles others may be having, to recognise behaviours, and how they can be a better friend to those around them, just like our canine buddies. I share my own diagnoses with the children with the aim of smashing harmful stereotypes and misinformation, ending stigmas, and passing on my confidence and belief that every child I meet has an important story to tell and deserves to be heard.

I enjoy speaking and presenting to children in schools and book clubs, both in-person and virtually, but also to adults, be that parents and carers, teachers and librarians, or other authors. I believe we can all do better in accepting and helping autistic people be their best selves in environments that allow them to comfortably participate. I provide some insight into the day-to-day life of one autistic person as well as how to identify depression as early as possible in children. Based on my own experiences, I talk openly about what we can do to support the young people in our lives in an attempt to prevent more serious problems in their futures.