Lynn and Jonathan share their inspiring journey of creating "Robby the Dyslexic Taxi and the Airport Adventure," a children's book that gives a voice to those with Dyslexia and promotes understanding among young readers.

The story emerged during the COVID-19 lockdown as a family project, reflecting their collective experiences and challenges with Dyslexia.

Jonathan, who has been personally affected by Dyslexia, discusses the importance of representation in children's literature and how they aimed to create discussions around differences rather than stigmas.

The duo emphasizes their self-publishing journey, the lessons learned, and plans to expand the "Creative Cab Company" series.

Their heartfelt conversation underscores the value of creativity, community support, and storytelling in fostering empathy and connection among readers of all backgrounds.

Jonathan Greenberg was diagnosed with Dyslexia as a young child. While Jon always knew that he learned differently than others, he did not let it personify who he was. 

Like most kids, Jonathan had a bookshelf full of books; however, since Jon couldn't read them at first, he became captivated by the artwork and illustrations of every one of them.

Jonathan worked hard and overcame his disability; however, his love for art developed into his passion. 

Jonathan is a graduate student at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, so it was a natural evolution for him to collaborate with his mother, an advocate for neurodiverse children, to co-author and illustrate a children's book. He is currently working on his MFA, Master of Fine Arts.

Jonathan looks forward to continuing to create and illustrate stories with neurodiverse characters and expanding his artistic endeavours through other mediums.

Lynn Greenberg has focused her life on being a champion for children. As a trained Attorney, Lynn spent her time in the legal world practicing family law, providing pro bono work for kids, and advocating on their behalf.

When her youngest son Jonathan was diagnosed with Dyslexia, becoming his advocate, as well as others, came easy. Understanding how to gather facts and create strategic plans, Lynn developed a road map to success for her son and has since become an active supporter of all neurodivergent children.

Writing a children's book with Jonathan was simply the natural progression for Lynn. Robby the Dyslexic Taxi and the Airport Adventure was born out of Lynn's desire for neurodivergent children to see themselves as characters in a storyline. 

Lynn plans to continue creating stories relatable for all children.

Lynn and Jonathan delve into the heartwarming journey behind their children's book, "Robbie the Dyslexic Taxi and the Airport Adventure."

The conversation opens with Jonathan sharing how the pandemic lockdown spurred their creative collaboration. He highlights their challenges and how baking bread and gardening led to brainstorming ideas for a children's book.

John's personal experience with Dyslexia becomes a central theme, revealing the family's commitment to supporting him through his educational struggles.

The duo emphasizes the lack of representation for dyslexic children in literature, expressing their desire to create a voice for those who often feel unheard.

The discussion evolves as they address the importance of representation in children's literature.

Papa Rick, Adventures in the Heart of Children's Book Authors podcast host, recounts a touching moment with her granddaughter, with whom he had shared Lynn and Joanthan's book.

Papa Rick's granddaughter recognized Dyslexia from school, illuminating how societal awareness has progressed.

This segment highlights the book's aim to foster discussions about differences and inclusivity among young readers as the conversation flows into the logistics of self-publishing.

Both Lynn and Jonathan share insights into their publishing journey, the decision to self-publish due to the lengthy processes typically associated with traditional publishing, and the various platforms they utilized for distribution. Their experiences reflect a passionate commitment to ensuring that their story reaches as many children as possible, emphasizing the joy they found in creating and sharing their work.

The episode culminates in discussing the future of their creative endeavours, with John hinting at the next character in their upcoming series, who will represent ADHD.

The mother-son duo shares their experiences and lessons learned, encouraging aspiring authors to find their passion and pursue it relentlessly.

They stress the importance of community support and the understanding that challenges can be met with resilience and creativity.

Their story is a testament to the power of family collaboration and the impact of storytelling in addressing real-world issues, making it a compelling listen for anyone interested in children's literature and the journeys of authors behind the stories.

Takeaways:

• The motivation behind writing Robbie the Dyslexic Taxi stemmed from personal family experiences with Dyslexia.
• Joint efforts during the pandemic led to creating a children's book project.
• Robbie's character was inspired by John's experience with Dyslexia and the support from his family.
• The book aims to create conversations about differences, fostering understanding among children.
• Self-publishing options allowed the authors to reach a wider audience during COVID-19.
• The Creative Cab Company symbolizes creativity in neurodiversity, highlighting diverse ways of thinking.

Social Links referenced in this episode:

• Website: creativecabcompany.com
• Book Funnel: https://BookHip.com/KKXWJRD
• Facebook: Creative Cab Co. - https://www.facebook.com/creativecabcomp
• https://www.instagram.com/creativecabcompany/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynn-greenberg-a4845071/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-greenberg-594599201/

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• IngramSpark
• Amazon
• KDP
• Creative Cab Company
• Cloud Printer
• Bookshop.org
• Canva
• Creative Child magazine

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