A FOXG1 Mom Turns Author: How Amber Partisano's Journey Inspired Our Fox Rocks

When Amber Partisano’s youngest daughter, Tessa, was diagnosed with FOXG1 syndrome in March of 2023, it was a moment that changed her family’s life forever. The early days after the diagnosis were filled with grief, confusion, and questions, but over time, Amber and her family found their way to a place of acceptance and hope. While they still have difficult days, they’ve learned to embrace the journey and focus on the joy Tessa brings to their lives.

“We still cry and question things, and we still get mad,” Amber shares honestly. “But oddly enough, we’ve started to understand and accept a little bit—and maybe even see the big picture, just a smidge.” Through it all, Amber has chosen to focus on the gratitude and joy that Tessa brings to her family. “We laugh a lot, appreciate the little things, and thank God that he gave us precious Tessa, the gift of this beautiful little girl. We could not be more lucky that he chose us.”

This balance between struggle and gratitude has not only shaped Amber’s outlook on life but also inspired her to find new ways to process her emotions—leading her to discover the healing power of writing.

The Journey to Our Fox Rocks

As a veteran elementary educator and lifelong lover of books, Amber had always dreamed of writing her own. “It was a bucket list item,” she says. After Tessa’s diagnosis, Amber started a blog to channel her emotions and document everything she was learning. The blog became a creative outlet—a space where she could share her story and connect with others. Over time, that blog inspired her to take the next step: writing a children’s book.

But turning that dream into reality required an extraordinary amount of dedication. While Amber knew little about publishing when she started, a chance connection made all the difference. One of her coworkers had recently published a book and introduced Amber to their publisher, helping her take the first big step toward bringing her vision to life. From there, Amber spent months researching the publishing process and learning everything she could about the industry—all while balancing a full-time teaching career, being a mom to Tessa and four other children, and navigating the daily chaos that comes with raising a family.

“It wasn’t easy,” Amber admits, “but I was so passionate about getting this story and its message out there. I wanted families to see the beauty of love and collaboration and to understand that being different is not only okay—it’s something special.”

Her debut book, Our Fox Rocks, is a metaphorical tale inspired by Tessa’s life and her family’s journey. In the story, Fox, a woodland animal born a little different from the others, finds love, care, and acceptance from her forest family. The story celebrates the unique bond between Fox and her family members—represented by woodland animals like Owl, Deer, Squirrel, and Hedgehog, each inspired by one of Amber’s other four children.

“I wanted to capture the relationships Tessa has with her siblings,” Amber explains. “Each of my kids interacts with her in their own unique way, and I wanted to show how those bonds work together to help her thrive. When I started researching woodland animals, I realized how perfectly their traits matched my children’s personalities.”

At the heart of the book is an important message: being different is not just okay—it’s something to celebrate. But Our Fox Rocks is also a story about the incredible bonds FOXG1 children share with their caretakers and the love and teamwork that helps them thrive. Amber hopes her story resonates not only with FOXG1 families but also with families everywhere, teaching children that everyone’s version of “normal” is unique and valid—and that a strong, supportive family can make all the difference.

A Milestone Moment

January 7th, 2024 marked a milestone for Amber. It was the day all pre-ordered copies of Our Fox Rocks were sent out to readers—a moment made even more special because it’s just three months before Tessa’s third birthday. “It felt like such a significant day,” Amber shares. “Knowing that people were getting their physical books in the mail was such an incredible feeling.”

Amber has already started to see how her story is connecting with others. She recently read the book to her second-grade students, and their reaction blew her away. “They were so into the story,” she recalls. “There’s a tagline that appears every few pages, and by the end, they were chanting it with me. It was amazing to see how excited they were about the story.”

One student was so inspired that he went home and told his family about the book. His family ended up pre-ordering a copy—a small but meaningful moment that showed Amber how her story is already making an impact.

A Lesson in Slowing Down

As Amber reflects on her journey with Tessa, she speaks about one of the greatest gifts her daughter has given her: the ability to slow down and truly live in the moment. “I’ve always been incredibly driven and focused on achieving the next goal,” she shares. “But Tessa has taught me that life isn’t about racing to the finish line—it’s about pausing to notice the beauty in the little moments.”

For Amber, this shift in perspective has been life-changing. “With Tessa, every milestone, no matter how small, is a celebration. It’s taught me to appreciate things I once might have overlooked—her smile, her laughter, the quiet moments we share as a family. She’s shown me the value of being present, of soaking in the here and now. It’s a lesson I think all of us could learn, and it’s one of the most profound ways Tessa has enriched my life.”

Amber has even brought this new perspective into her classroom. At circle time each day, she makes sure her students have the chance to connect with one another, communicate, and check in. “It’s so important for kids to feel seen and heard,” she says. “Taking a few moments to pause and connect each day has made such a difference—not just for my students, but for me as well.”

This newfound appreciation for life’s small joys has transformed how Amber approaches parenting, teaching, and even her writing. “Tessa’s presence reminds me daily to slow down, breathe, and be grateful for the present. That’s a gift I’ll carry with me forever.”

Looking Ahead: Spreading the Message

While Our Fox Rocks is still new, Amber has big dreams for its future. She hopes to see the book in libraries and bookstores, where it can reach even more families and educators. “I think it has such an important message,” she says. “I want it to help people understand the beauty of love, collaboration, and inclusivity.”

Get Your Copy of Our Fox Rocks and Connect with Amber

Amber’s book is now available for purchase, and it’s a must-read for families, educators, and anyone who values stories of love, inclusivity, and perseverance. To learn more about Amber’s journey and stay connected, check out her blog here and follow her on Instagram and Facebook here.

Ready to bring this inspiring story to your home? You can order Our Fox Rocks at Barnes & Noble and Amazon.