Shantel Woodland lives in Spokane, Washington, with her husband and three children. With degrees in anthropology, teaching, and curriculum and instruction, she spends her days teaching kindergarten and mentoring future educators. Inspired by conversations with her students about her daughter’s special needs, Shantel writes stories that encourage empathy, inclusion, and hope for families navigating autism. In her free time, she enjoys live music, painting, reading, and watching cooking shows with her family.
Q: What inspired the idea behind your book?
A: As a teacher, I get the unique opportunity to create relationships with many children and families. With that privilege, I often find myself talking about my own family and having to describe my daughter’s differences. Students ask things like “Why can’t your daughter talk?” or “Why does your daughter have to go to a special school?” If families don’t have a special needs connection, school is often the first place a child sees or interacts with someone who is different from them in that way.
The purpose behind Milly’s character is to provide visibility and promote acceptance and inclusion of autistic people and their families. Children don’t innately understand the complexity of befriending someone with special needs, but creating those friendships benefits everyone. Milly has a lot in common with other kids, but she needs additional support to care for her sensory processing issues, her speech delay, and the rigidity that comes with her autism.
When I wrote this book, I hoped it would be a good conversation starter or visual aid for adults who are trying to help children understand what autism is. Additionally, I wanted to provide a book where autistic children can see themselves in print.
Q: As an author, what tips would you give anyone who wants to get into writing?
A: First, don’t let those wonderful ideas float away from you. Keep a notebook and a pen with you at all times so that when the perfect phrasing or a brilliant thought floats into your brain, you can write it down.
Second, stop doubting yourself. You will never have the perfect words, and it will never be the perfect time, but there is always someone out there who needs to read what you have to say.
Q: What is your favorite book?
A: This feels like an impossible question to answer! There are so many great books to choose from. If I want to embrace nostalgia, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is my favorite read from childhood. If I want to stay up all night reading, then I’ll pick up anything by Jeff Wheeler. His Harbinger series is my go-to. My favorite children’s book is The Story of Little Babaji by Helen Bannerman.
Q: Was your main character modeled after anyone in your life?
A: Milly is modeled after my daughter. She is the light of my life, but we have had to overcome many struggles related to her autism. Being her mom has made me a better person, friend, and educator.
Q: What is your favorite part of the writing process?
A: I love sharing my writing with my children and my students. When I come up with an idea that brings me joy, sharing that with others I care about is so rewarding.
Q: Do you believe that being a “good writer” is a developed skill or a natural talent?
A: I think it takes a little bit of both, but being a good writer comes from being passionate about the subject you are writing about.
Q: Do you have a favorite book, poem, TV, or movie quote?
A: My favorite poem is “Welcome to Holland” by Emily Perl Kingsley. Becoming a special needs mom turned my life upside down. This poem reminds me of the importance of embracing my journey.
Q: Would you write another book (or are you already writing another book)?
A: I am currently working on the second installment in the Milly series. It is called Milly and the Squish Cat. It explores Milly’s sensory needs and how she learns boundaries with other children and her best friend, Loaf the cat.
Q: Is there an author you look up to, and why?
A: I look up to Jeff Wheeler. He has written multiple book series that have caused me to lose sleep because I couldn’t put them down. He is a successful self-published author who was able to leave his nine-to-five.
Q: If there were an apocalypse and you could only take five books into your doomsday bunker, what would they be?
A:
Well, the real question is which five book series I would bring to my bunker. I would bring these (and the other books in each series, too, of course):
1. Storm Glass by Jeff Wheeler
2. Abhorsen by Garth Nix
3. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J. K. Rowling
4. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
5. Fablehaven by Brandon Mull
Learn more about Shantel Woodland and her debut children's novel, Milly Has the Most Fun, here. Coming soon April 28, 2026!