Audra DeRidder has published her first children’s book, “I’m Just Too Much.” The fifth-grade teacher at Iron Mountain Public Schools hopes the book spreads a message of acceptance. DeRidder displays her book with daughter, Marilyn “May.” (ABBEY B. Photography photo via Iron Mountain Daily News)

IRON MOUNTAIN — An Iron Mountain fifth-grade teacher is addressing the importance of acceptance in her children’s book, “I’m Just Too Much.”

Audra DeRidder brings readers on a young girl’s journey of self-discovery. At the beginning of the book, Sylvie J. is going through life trying to fit in and sees herself as being “too much” for everyone. She comes to recognize that her uniqueness is what makes her happy and learns to embrace the qualities that make her special.

“I hope the book spreads a message of acceptance of self and others, and that it continues to serve as a reminder that it’s okay to be ‘too much,'” DeRidder said.

The first-time author was inspired to pen the book while going through her own experiences with her diagnosis of adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD.

“As I witnessed students go through the evaluation process, I thought back to what I was like as a child — and recognized similarities,” she said, adding she was a special education teacher at that time.

Those documented notes is what prompted her to write a children’s book, which was self-published in June with Write and Release Publishing.

As a parent and educator, her goal is to make kids feel loved and accepted for their genuine selves.

“Although we have made a lot of progress over the years, I know there’s still stigma for kids that struggle,” she said. “It’s hard when you are different from other people.”

DeRidder hopes the book inspires everyone to be themselves.

The 2015 Iron Mountain High School graduate explained that, with the exception of her husband, Ben, she hadn’t told anyone about writing the book and had no plans for it to be published.

“I felt at the time it was my therapy session,” she said. “My husband pushed me to publish it, which I’m glad that he did.”

It wasn’t until after completion, that she decided to share the news. “I’m Just Too Much” has been well received with readers.

“I have had many reach out to me to tell me that their child can relate to the Sylvie J. character, and are happy to share it with them,” DeRidder said. “I even had adults comment how it would have been nice to have a story like this before.”

A private contractor did the art for the book and chose not to be credited for the work for personal reasons.

“I would have loved to do the artwork, too, but became very frustrated,” DeRidder said.

DeRidder noted it took about a year for the whole process, from the time she wrote it to having it available for sale.

Her first book honors her late grandfather, Len Pickett, who passed on his love for writing. “He was a great storyteller and beautiful writer but had never shared his writing or published his pieces,” she said.

She made a special dedication to her daughter, Marilyn “May,” who is almost 3, and her students, telling them sometimes being “too much” is the best way to be.

The project has also sparked an interest to keep writing. “I have had some different topics come up and even started some notes for other children’s stories,” she said. “I would like to continue and see where that goes.”

DeRidder is also considering making “I’m Just Too Much” into a small series.

As much as she loves writing, she has no plans to leave teaching.

Before this, the only thing DeRidder said she had published was a research material for other teacher organizations. “Nothing fun to read,” she added.

The daughter of Kyra Scott and Shaun Pickett attended Western Michigan University, where she received her bachelor’s degree in special education. She later received her master’s degree in reading and children’s literature and is currently a fifth-grade math and science teacher at IMPS.

In her free time, she and her family enjoy exploring the beauty of the U.P.

“I’m Just Too Much” is available online, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Walmart. DeRidder hopes to eventually get her book into local retail shops.

She also plans to do events at the Dickinson County Library, as well as book signings that will be announced at a later date.