Additional information
by Helen Docherty (Author), Taylor Barron (Illustrator)
A poignant and much-needed story about a young girl with sensory overload, perfect for neurodivergent young readers - as well as the communities who support them.
When Melodie's family surprises her with a day out, she REALLY doesn't want to go. The market is SO SMELLY, the bathrooms are SO LOUD, the food is always SO MUSHY, and the lights are SO BRIGHT. What was supposed to be fun is actually making her feel . . . stressed out. Can she block out the things that bother her and end her day in a calmer place? Inspired by Helen's daughter's experiences of sensory overload, this story will resonate with neurodivergent young readers who want to learn to self-soothe when they feel overwhelmed, with helpful advice at the back for neurodivergent families (including key terms such as masking, stims and sensory overload.)Author Biography
Helen Docherty is an award-winning children's writer based in the UK. Her previous books include The Snatchabook, The Storybook Knight, Someone Just Like You, The Bee Who Loved Words, The Screen Thief, All The Things We Carry and more. Helen has helped many disadvantaged young people create their own books through her work with community projects in her hometown of Swansea, Wales, including Best Start and Storyopolis, a non-profit children's literacy project. Her books have been translated into 27 languages.
Taylor Barron is an artist and illustrator who spends her time between Seattle, USA and Paris, France. She specializes in children's books, murals, editorial work, and character design. Taylor has a passion for activism and feels that using her art to communicate about these messages is important. Themes of feminism, environmentalism, mental health and neurodivergence often appear in her work. Her previous books include How Are You, Verity?, On the Bright Side and Your Life Matters.
Number of Pages: 32
Dimensions: 0.5 x 10.1 x 8.1 IN
Illustrated: Yes
Publication Date: September 30, 2025
