Z.Z. Özra has always loved visual stories and illustrated books. When she decided to write a picture book, she didn’t have to look far for inspiration. Aydin Stays Safe was created for her son who is autistic with additional needs and the story is based on his experiences. It is a book that she hopes will help other children like Aydin, understand which types of playful exploration is risky or safe.

Özra gets information for her stories both from the life of her son and from her homeschooling experience that enabled her to teach him the way that he learns. It was some of her son’s traits that drew her to see parallels in her personal history which led to her own late diagnosis of autism. She hopes young readers come away from her story with a sense of adventure and a learning lesson that stays with them long after the book is closed.

When she isn’t writing, Özra loves reading, going to the beach, and hanging out at the parks with her five children. She and her husband live with their family in Southern California. Aydin Stays Safe is her debut picture book with plans to write additional stories that expand on neurodivergent parenting and cultural representation.