WISCONSIN— The Wisconsin teens behind the Children's book Mila and the Too Hard Hoop share their creative gifts— while reminding us that if at first, you don't succeed try, try and try again. 

What You Need To Know

  • The month of April is Autism Acceptance Month

  • Children's book "Mila and the Too Hard Hoop" inspires kids with positive messages of encouragement 

  • Both the author and illustrator of the book are Wisconsin teens on the autism spectrum

  • They want other kids to know they can do anything if they believe themselves 

 

If you pass 14-year-old Keira Thompson her basketball, she makes shooting hoops and dribbling look easy, but she'll be the first to tell you that getting here took a lot of practice.

Keira is a teen on the autism spectrum. 

"I couldn't dribble the ball so it was hard for me. I wanted to teach kids not to give up," she said. "I couldn't dribble the ball so it was hard for me. I wanted to teach kids not to give up," she said. 

When the pandemic hit, Keira, like most other Wisconsinites, found herself with extra time on her hands. She had time for more than just basketball. 

She ended up taking her nimble, quick basketball hands to her computer. Keira was on a mission to make a difference. 

"I love reading books and I have a lot of ideas and I wanted to share them," Keira said.

Within six months, Kiera published her first children's book: "Mila and the Too Hard Hoop." 

"It was written by none other than Keira," her friend Miguel Angel Rosales explained.

Miguel, who is also on the autism spectrum, illustrated the book.

The book, based on Keira's life, and of course, basketball, follows Mila. Mila is a colorful monster who wants nothing more than to play basketball. The only problem is, she can't make a basket. With the support of those around her, Mila learns that even though life gets tough, anything is possible if she believes in herself. 

Keira learned just that through experience on the courts. So when she decided she wanted to be a published author, believing in herself was the best place to start. 

Weekly, Keira sent Miguel emails with detailed instructions of what she wanted and he brought her ideas to life. Together, Keira and Miguel share their gifts while inspiring others to never give up.

And while they worked together to teach acceptace, Miguel ended up learning a few things about himself along the way. For instance, he learned not only how to collaborate, but that he loves being a part of a great team.

"I'd gladly work with Keira again," he said. 

That's another wonderful part of this teen team— they're living proof of the message they want to spread to other kids. 

[I want others to] "believe in themselves, as Mila does, and it's okay to say that something is hard," Keira said. "But it's not okay to give up on yourself."

Check out their work, here.