Q: First tell us something about yourself.
Hi, my name is Arleen McCarthy, and I am so proud to say that I am a native New Yorker. I have been a teacher in New York City for over 25 years and I am also an author of a debut children’s book, MY FRIEND JOHN.
Q: How and when did your journey start as a writer?
One day in 2019, while I was on a Study Sabbatical from teaching, I opened my laptop and just started writing a story. This story was pouring out of my heart, and it literally came out of nowhere. I just kept writing and writing (and crying) until I was finished. This story was emotional for me because it was loosely based on my own brother who has Tourette Syndrome. This story soon became my book, MY FRIEND JOHN.
Q: When did you write your first story? Is it published or not?
I wrote my first story over 20 years ago and I never published it.
Q: Tell us something more about your books.
My book, MY FRIEND JOHN is about a little boy with Tourette Syndrome and his experience at a new school. It is a story that not only brings awareness and acceptance to neurodiversity but highlights important messages about the values of kindness, leadership and friendship. It teaches young readers about the importance of being an ’upstander’ rather than a ‘bystander’.
Q: How did these stories and characters come to your mind?
Watching my brother suffer as a child really impacted me and his story inspired me to write a children’s book about it. The characters were my own creativity coming to life and I am so proud of my work.
Q: Do you want to leave any message for your readers?
Yes! Here are just a few:
*Be kind!
*Be authentic!
*Be the upstander rather than a bystander.
*Be empathetic, you never know what someone else is going through.
*Friends make you feel good.
*Friends make you feel safe!
