TV personalit brings new book to Naperville
Television fans may know Holly Robinson Peete from such shows as "Hanging with Mr. Cooper" and "21 Jump Street," and now on the network show "For Peete's Sake."
But away from the reel, in her real life, Robinson Peete is recognized as a national spokeswoman for autism.
Knowing well the challenges of raising a son with autism, Robinson Peete has written her personal story along with her teenage twins, Ryan and Rodney. Rodney has a lifetime of experience dealing with autism. Ryan, Robinson Peete's daughter, offers her views as the loving sibling.
How the Peete family copes with their family life comes across in the new book "Same But Different."
Robinson Peete will discuss her book at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 5, at Anderson's Bookshop, 123 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville. A book signing will follow Peete's presentation.
This event is free and open to the public. To join the signing line, purchase the author's featured book at Anderson's Bookshop. Information is also available at Anderson's Bookshop online at www.andersonsbookshop.com.
Being a teen is hard enough. But when you have autism - or when your brother or sister is struggling with the condition - life can be challenging, as Robinson Peete's book tells. It's one thing when you're a kid in grade school and a play date goes south due to autism in a family. Or when you're a little kid and a vacation or holiday turns less-than-happy because of an autistic family member.
But being a teen with autism can get pretty hairy - especially when you're up against dating, parties, sports, body changes, school, and other kids who just don't "get" you.
In this powerful book, teenagers Ryan Elizabeth Peete and her twin brother, Rodney, who has autism, share their experiences of what it means to be a teen living with autism.
Robinson Peete has devoted her life and career to autism awareness. Since 2000, when Robinson Peete learned of her son's autism diagnosis, she has worked tirelessly to help families everywhere who are raising children with autism.
Robinson Peete is the wife of former NFL quarterback Rodney Peete, and the working mother of four children. With her husband, Robinson Peete founded the HollyRod Foundation, dedicated to offering help through compassionate care to families living with autism and Parkinson's disease.
Her picture book about living with autism, "My Brother Charlie," cowritten with her daughter, Ryan Elizabeth, and illustrated by Shane Evans, received an NAACP Image Award.
Robinson Peete can be seen alongside her family in the highly anticipated new docu-series "For Peete's Sake" on the OWN network. She also has a recurring role on the hit comedy series "Mike & Molly."
That role came shortly after she successfully launched the show "The Talk" as one of the original co-hosts. "The Talk" came on the heels of the success Robinson Peete had on the third season of NBC's "Celebrity Apprentice."
Making it all the way to the finals, Robinson Peete set a fundraising record for her charity, HollyRod Foundation, highlighting her philanthropic prowess and shining a national spotlight on two causes very personal to the Peete Family: autism and Parkinson's disease.