BOOK SIGNING Holly Robinson Peete at Anderson's Bookshop, May 5

TV ACTRESS & NATIONAL AUTISM

SPOKESPERSON TO SPEAK ABOUT NEW BOOK

Anderson’s Bookshops Present Actress and National Autism Spokesperson, Holly Robinson Peete

Television fans may know Holly Robinson Peete as a TV star and celebrity who has appeared in several popular shows during her career, including “Hanging with Mr. Cooper” and “21 Jump Street,” and now, on the OWN network show, “For Peete’s Sake.” But away from her reel life in her real life, Robinson Peete is recognized as a national spokesperson for autism. She knows well the challenges of raising a son with autism, and lends her voice to others who have loved ones on the autism spectrum. To that end, she has written a personal story along with her teenage twins, Ryan and Rodney. Rodney, Robinson Peete’s son, has a lifetime of experience dealing with autism. Ryan, Robinson Peete’s daughter, offers her views as the loving sibling. As it is, young adults are bombarded with change during those tender teen years but even more so when characteristics of autism are thrown into the mix. How the Peete family copes with their family life comes across in the new book, Same But Different.

Robinson Peete will discuss her book on Thursday, May 5 at 7:00 p.m. at Anderson’s Bookshop, 123 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville. A booksigning will follow Peete’s presentation. This event is free and open to the public. To join the signing line, please purchase the author’s featured book at Anderson’s Bookshop. Information is also available at Anderson’s Bookshop online at www.andersonsbookshop.com.

ABOUT THE BOOK: 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. 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. Same But Different explores the funny, painful, and unexpected aspects of teen autism, while daring to address issues nobody talks about. Same But Different underscores tolerance, love, and the understanding that everybody's unique drumbeat is worth dancing to.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Holly Robinson Peete has devoted her life and career to autism awareness. Since 2000, when Robinson Peete learned of her son RJ’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, co-written with her daughter, Ryan Elizabeth, and illustrated by Shane Evans, received an NAACP Image Award.

Robinson Peete can be seen early 2016 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 hit comedy series Mike & Molly which came shortly after successfully launching the show The Talk as one of the original co-hosts. The Talk came on the heels of the enormous 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 shedding a national spotlight on two causes very personal to the Peete Family: autism and Parkinson’s disease.

ABOUT ANDERSON’S BOOKSHOPS: Sponsoring this upcoming program is Anderson’s Bookshops, specializing in book sales, author events, booksignings, and building a sense of community, learning and fun. The store has been helping Naperville readers for six generations. Based in downtown Naperville, the store has grown with the community. Additional locations include downtown Downers Grove, at 5112 Main Street (630) 963-2665 and 26 S. La Grange Rd. in La Grange, (708) 582-6353. A gift shop, Anderson’s Two-Doors East, at 111 W. Jefferson Ave., operates in Naperville. Key to Anderson’s success has been special author events, like the May 5 program with Holly Robinson Peete. To keep updated about other Anderson’s events, please visit www.AndersonsBookshops.com

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