At the Do Business Network, we love celebrating the incredible talent and collaborative achievements within our community. Today, we are shining a light on artist, illustrator, and DBN member Noriko Matsubara, who recently co-illustrated a newly published book alongside her son.
The book, The Adventures of Kody and Aron: Through the Eyes of the Wise...AKA Mum!, was written by Monique McPherson—a mother of two non-speaking autistic sons. It offers a deeply moving, raw, and honest memoir of resilience, awakening, and family connection.
A Collaborative Family Journey
For Noriko, bringing Monique’s words to visual life was a deeply meaningful experience, made even more special by collaborating with her son on the artwork. Working together, they created illustrations that capture the heart and emotion of Monique’s family journey.
Reflecting on the project, Noriko shared:
"Illustrating this book opened my eyes to a world I knew little about, and I'm grateful to Monique for sharing her family's experiences so honestly."
Why You Should Read It
The Adventures of Kody and Aron is now available on Kindle and in paperback. Noriko recommends the book not only to parents of autistic children or those close to someone with autism, but to anyone seeking a deeper understanding of neurodiversity. It provides a rare and valuable window into perspectives and daily experiences that many outside the community may never encounter.
Support Local & Discover the Book
We are immensely proud to see our DBN members lending their creative talents to such meaningful, impactful projects.
You can find and order The Adventures of Kody and Aron here:
To explore more of Noriko’s original artwork, children’s book illustrations, and creative workshops, visit her website at norikoart.com.
