Get Lost, Zoomer! written by Katina Nadebaum, illustrated by Aleksandra Szmidt
(Little Steps Publishing)
Guest author post by Katina Nadebaum about Get Lost, Zoomer! (a picture book for 3-6 year olds) for Joy in Books at PaperbarkWords blog
When Being Different Becomes a Strength
There is something extraordinary about the way stories help children understand themselves.
A story can comfort, inspire and spark imagination. Sometimes, it can help a child recognise themselves and realise that the things that make them different aren’t necessarily things they need to change.
That belief sits at the heart of why I write.
After years in the corporate world, I now write picture books exploring the messy, marvellous reality of neurodiversity, without labels. My writing is shaped by my lived experience of ADHD, my advocacy for neurodiversity, and a desire to reach children who are so often told they are too loud, too busy, too emotional or too different.
I want my stories to offer them a different message.
Finding Zoomer
The idea for Get Lost, Zoomer! began with a squirrel. Squirrels are curious, clever and constantly on the move. They leap, explore, change direction and notice things others might miss. They don’t travel in straight lines, and somehow, along the way, they help forests grow.
That felt like the perfect metaphor for the children I wanted to write for.
Zoomer is a lively, enthusiastic squirrel in Moonbeam Forest who desperately wants to help, but his impulsive energy often causes chaos—until that same energy becomes exactly what’s needed to save the day.
At its heart, Get Lost, Zoomer! speaks to every child who has ever been made to feel they are “too much.” It’s a story about belonging, friendship, and discovering that the things others misunderstand about us can sometimes become our greatest strengths.
Stories without labels
Although Get Lost, Zoomer! is inspired by neurodiversity, I wanted its emotional journey to be universal. Most of us know what it feels like to make a mistake, to be misunderstood or to wonder where we fit.
I deliberately chose not to give Zoomer a diagnostic label. I wanted children to meet him as a character first. They see his impulsivity and the mistakes he makes, but they also see his kindness, creativity and determination.
That is one of the things I love most about stories. Before we ask children to understand concepts such as neurodiversity, we can simply invite them to care about a character. Empathy can begin there.
Picture books also create opportunities for conversations between children and the adults who support them. Parents, caregivers, educators and allied health professionals can use stories to explore big feelings, difference, empathy and belonging.
Finding your own way
I’m also passionate about reaching children who find reading challenging. I want my books to be engaging, confidence-building and fun, because every child deserves the opportunity to discover the joy of getting lost in a story.
Alongside writing, I serve as a director of the nationally recognised ADHD Foundation Limited and as a member of the Neurodiversity Advisory Board at Scope Psychology. I’m also a Role Model for Books in Homes Australia.
All these parts of my life bring me back to the same idea: children receive plenty of messages about who they should be and where they should fit.
I hope my stories offer another.
You don’t have to become someone else to belong.
If a child recognises themselves in Zoomer and closes the book feeling understood, encouraged or a little more confident about who they are, then the story has done what I hoped it would.
Because sometimes the child who seems to be travelling in a different direction isn’t lost at all.
They may simply be finding their own way through the forest.
Get Lost, Zoomer! at Little Steps Publishing
Author Bio: Katina Nadebaum
After years in the corporate world, Katina writes picture books for children. Her work explores big feelings, misunderstood behaviours, and the quiet magic of embracing who you truly are.
Inspired by her lived experience and advocacy for neurodiversity, Katina creates stories that help every child feel seen, safe, and celebrated—especially those who experience the world a little differently. She believes traits often labelled as challenges are hidden strengths and invites young readers to honour their emotions and celebrate their uniqueness. Her debut picture book follows a spirited squirrel, reminding readers that sometimes the tiniest paws leave the biggest mark. It is a story about belonging, difference, and learning to see yourself through a kinder lens. Katina also dedicates time to serving on Boards and initiatives that support neurodiversity. She can’t wait to share her stories with you.
Katina lives in Perth, Western Australia, where she enjoys exploring life with her family—especially her son, who continually inspires her to embrace life’s surprises. She loves getting lost in a good book, tending her garden, searching for the perfect coffee spot, and planning her next travel adventure—always keeping an eye out for her next story idea.
Join Katina’s journey:
- Website: katinanadebaum.com
- Instagram: @katinanadebaum
- Facebook: Katina Nadebaum
Thanks to Romi Sharp at Books on Tour for facilitating this piece.
