Heritage Book Publishing has announced the official release of Hi, My Name Is Blayden, a children's book by Bonnie J. Fletcher inspired by her great-nephew, Blayden. The book, published in official support of Down Syndrome Indiana, offers young readers and families an intimate look at the daily life of a seventh and eighth-grade boy with Down syndrome whose personality, humor and routines bring warmth to those around him.
The story traces a single day at Northside Middle School and beyond. Readers follow Blayden as he wakes up grumpy, rides to school with his dad, whom the book describes as his hero and best friend, navigates his classes, takes the school bus home, plays video games and pitch and catch, swims, and enjoys his favorite meal from Cracker Barrel. The narrative also highlights his tech-savvy nature, his bifocals, his love of cleaning and chores, his affinity for animals, and his habit of repeating what he hears and sees.
Fletcher's connection to the material is personal. When Blayden came to live with his great-aunt Bonnie, her mother and his dad at just 17 days old, the family rallied around him, crawling on floors and hanging from doorframes to elicit a reaction and a smile. Today, Blayden is a lively middle schooler raised by his dad, and the book draws directly on those real family experiences. The release is available in paperback and eBook through major online retailers, including Amazon, and through the Heritage Book Publishing website, with a publication date of April 21, 2026.
The book's approach carries significance beyond its story. By focusing on Blayden's actual daily routine rather than clinical explanations, it brings a relatable, human-interest perspective to disability literature, a genre where representation for young readers remains limited. Families, educators and librarians seeking inclusive titles may find the emphasis on patience, family connection and individual character useful in classrooms and at home, while the official tie to Down Syndrome Indiana gives the release a community-support dimension that could encourage similar partnerships between publishers and advocacy organizations.
Fletcher, born and raised in Hope, Indiana, has spent her life dedicated to caregiving and helping others, and she wrote the book to share Blayden's story and support Down Syndrome Indiana. Her author background and the family-centered origin of the project position the title as both a personal tribute and a broader contribution to how disability is portrayed for young audiences.
