Emma Walton Hamilton is an author, editor, arts educator, arts and literacy advocate, and a parent. She has co-authored 16 children’s books with her mother, Julie Andrews, including board books, picture books and The Great American Mousical.
Eric Carle (1929-2021) was the creator of The Very Hungry Caterpillar. But that’s not the only reason why he received nearly 10,000 fan letters every year. Carle wrote or illustrated more than 70 other children’s books, including favorites such as Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? and The Very Quiet Cricket. Carle made these friendly insects and animals by painting on tissue paper, cutting out shapes, and pasting them together. The bold, eye-catching collages pop off the page in vibrant colors and rich textures. Even so, it is the “simple, simple feelings,” Carle believed, that have made his books so popular with young children.
Eric Garcia is a Washington, D.C.-based journalist focused on politics and policy and currently the senior Washington correspondent for The Independent. In our interview, Garcia talks about autism myths, recognizing the gifts and abilities of autistic people, how teachers can help their autistic students succeed and realize their potential, the role of accessible classrooms, autism and equity, how autistic people are portrayed in the media, and more.
