PreS-Gr 2–This series focuses on “own voices” storytelling, where experiences are told directly from those who have lived through them. It adds a richness to the telling, and it comes through strongly in these books. The first deals with what could be seen as ADHD, but is definitely a child who struggles with emotional regulation. Through it all, big daily emotions manifest as dinosaurs, raging bulls, or swirling hurricanes as the main character cycles through feelings. It captures the heartbreak behind lack of control, eventually resolved with family and tools to harness the feelings. Yasi and Mina’s Pomegranate Tree tackles history and world events, as it chronicles two girls living in Tehran as bombings begin. It offers an elementary-appropriate discussion of bomb shelter protocol, the effects of war, and what it feels like to emigrate for safety. VERDICT These books cover important topics from authors in the know.

Kyla and Jedidiah Mora’s Today My Brain is a Dinosaur (9781534113541, $18.99) reviews what it feels like to live with autism, ADHD, and other neurodivergencies. Illustrated by Mette Engell, it follows a young boy who wishes he could be like all the other boys. One day he may feel like a fearsome dinosaur; the next, he may be fielding a storm of inner turmoil. How the boy channels these feelings to face the world in the best possible way makes for a story of understanding for all young readers.

Wonderful illustrations give readers a glimpse into what life can feel like for kids with autism, ADHD, and other neurodivergent traits. One boy tries his hardest to do what is expected of him, but his brain just refuses to cooperate. Today it’s a dinosaur! And tomorrow, a raging bull. Who knows what might come next? He tries to cope but sinks deeper into despair as his world feels more and more unmanageable. But his family knows how to guide him back to calmer waters. (Ages 5-8)

For neurodivergent kids, Today My Brain is a Dinosaur offers something incredibly powerful: the feeling of being seen and understood. And for parents, educators, and caregivers, it provides an invaluable window into the emotional world of children navigating autism, ADHD, and other neurodivergent traits.This book is a must-read for families looking to foster empathy, connection, and self-acceptance. Because, in the end, we could all use a little more understanding—and a reminder that even on the hardest days, we are never truly alone.

A boy learns to cope with his neurodivergence…conveys a crucial takeaway about neurodivergence.