Children’s book author Vanessa Guevara will read and discuss her recent release on autism and play at a special storytime Wednesday morning at Vroman’s Bookstore.
The free, 45-minute event is scheduled for 11 a.m. at the bookstore’s main location, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., according to the Vroman’s event listing. Guevara will read and discuss “When We Play: Understanding Autism Through the Joy of Play,” a picture book told through the voice of a sibling about two neurodivergent children at play.
The book was published in October 2025 by Purple Diamond Press, with illustrations by Ratu Megawangi. It runs 34 pages and retails for $13.99 in paperback. Vroman’s lists the book for readers ages 2 to 6.
According to Vroman’s, Guevara is a mother of two with a master’s in applied behavioral analysis. The store says she has worked with the neurodivergent community for more than 15 years. The Vroman’s listing also notes that, in her spare time, Guevara enjoys group workout classes and reading.
The publisher’s description says the book “celebrates the different ways children connect, especially those who experience the world through a neurodivergent lens.” Told from the perspective of a loving sibling, the publisher’s copy says, the story explores what play looks like “in all its forms: spinning, singing, running, sitting quietly, or just being side by side.”
A bilingual Spanish-English edition titled “Cuando Jugamos: Entendiendo el Autismo con la Alegría de Jugar” is also available, according to the author ‘s website.
The Vroman’s announcement invites families to “join author Vanessa Guevara for a special storytime on June 10th at 11am.” The event is listed as both a Children’s Event and a Storytime. No ticket or RSVP is indicated on the event page.
Vroman’s, founded in Pasadena in 1894, is Southern California’s oldest independent bookstore. The store hosts regular Wednesday morning storytimes for young children and adds guest-author readings on selected dates throughout the year.
For event details, the store can be reached at 626-449-5320. More about the author and her book is at booksbyvanessa.com, where Guevara introduces herself as “a wife, mother, and debut author of When We Play — a heartfelt children’s book that celebrates the beautiful differences in how kids express joy, connection, and play.”
Guevara, on her author page, describes the book as “a celebration of differences, a window into neurodivergent experiences, and a heartfelt reminder that every way of playing is meaningful.”
