About Little Lotus Books
& the team
Little Lotus Books is a boutique Australian children’s publisher creating sensory-rich, thoughtfully designed stories that support confidence, self-regulation, and emotional wellbeing.
Founded by a nature-loving, neurodivergent Occupational Therapist and mother on the Sunshine Coast, our books are grounded in the belief that every child deserves stories that truly meet them where they are.
Guided by Sage, our gentle companion, Little Lotus Books explores tender and challenging experiences — including identity, school avoidance, friendships, and big feelings, through mindful, nature-based storytelling that feels safe, curious, and empowering.
Created with neurodivergent children at heart, our stories are for all children, nurturing empathy, emotional literacy, and self-trust while celebrating each child’s unique way of experiencing the world.
Our books invite children to slow down, tune into their bodies, and find calm and connection through nature — encouraging time away from screens and back into the world around them.
Designed for home, classrooms, and therapy spaces, Little Lotus Books can be shared as calming read-alouds, conversation starters, or gentle grounding tools. Each story honours strengths, acceptance, and belonging.
Thoughtfully produced using FSC-certified printing, our books care for both children and the natural world they grow within.
Jodi Haywood is a mother, author, paediatric Occupational Therapist, nature-lover, and proud owner of a delightfully neurospicy brain.
By day, Jodi runs Lotus Therapy, a paediatric allied health practice in Gympie, where she supports children and families and reads a lot of children’s books, the best ones with heart, honesty, and a little bit of dirt under the nails. By night (and often with a cup of tea in the garden), she dreams up stories that support neurodivergent children feel safe, celebrated, and truly seen.
Jodi’s stories are deeply inspired by her children, her clients, and her own journey of self-discovery. As a neurodivergent mother and therapist, she brings a neuroaffirming lens to every page, celebrating the beauty of different minds, bodies, and ways of being.
Her love of nature, community, and connection shines through in every heartfelt book — creating stories that are gentle, grounding, and full of wonder.
Jodi Haywood Author
Diana Maksymenko, is a Ukrainian-born illustrator with a background in architecture and city planning. After moving to sunny Los Angeles, she traded blueprints for sketchbooks, following her heart into the colorful world of children’s books.
Her work is known for its joyful, expressive style and ability to capture the wonder, warmth, and imagination of childhood. Drawing inspiration from her architectural roots, Diana brings structure and storytelling together — crafting worlds where creativity and curiosity shine through every page.
Her illustrations have appeared in children’s books, magazines, and publications around the globe, delighting readers with a blend of whimsy, emotion, and thoughtful design. When she’s not sketching, Diana can often be found exploring the city with her sketchbook in hand, dreaming up new adventures to bring to life.
uxmaksymdesign.com
Diana Maksymenko Illustrator
Elizabeth Gilmore is a Creativity Consultant specialising in editing and proofreading picture books and early readers. With over 10 years' experience across various industries, she has happily settled into the KidLit world, where her heart's work truly lies.
Elizabeth loves nurturing writers as they grow into authors and takes great joy in seeing others shine. She is based in Bass Coast, Australia, where she lives with her husband and two children.
www.elizabethgilmore.com
Elizabeth Gilmore Editor
Sage is the heart and inspiration behind our stories. While the character isn’t a dog, they share Sage’s deep love of nature, care for others, joyful spirit, and the same beautiful brown wavy hair with a white stripe.
In real life, Sage is a 2-year-old Spoodle training to be a therapy dog. She loves playing in the garden with her brothers, Cavoodles Lui and Rio, and spending time with her teenage human sisters, Tylah and Marlee.
Gentle, loyal, and full of love, Sage has a natural ability to sense when comfort is needed. She embodies acceptance, patience, and kindness — reminding us that love, care, and connection are at the heart of everything we do, and inviting you to journey through the garden and beyond.