My Busy, Busy Brain: The ABCDs of ADHD

by Nicole Russell, Antoinette Thomas (Illustrator)

Overview

A resource for kids, parents, educators, and everyone else looking for insight into the experience of children with ADHD.

Nicole has ADHD and a busy, busy brain! Her special brain makes Nicole good at art, daydreaming, and exploring. Some days feel like a mental trip to outer space, on a rainbow carpet ride, with talking bumblebees . . . but sometimes, Nicole has a hard time concentrating in school. With a little courage, she learns how to get help for herself and use her voice to speak up for others.

My Busy, Busy Brain provides practical tools for children struggling with controlling their emotions, impulses, and concentration. This book is a beginner course for children curious about mental health and the challenges we feel but can't see.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781634894227
Publisher:	Wise Ink Creative Publishing
Publication date:	04/13/2021
Pages:	24
Sales rank:	505,512
Product dimensions:	9.30(w) x 9.30(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	7 - 10 Years

About the Author

Nicole Russell is a bestselling author and lead advocate for mental health, human rights and the well being of children. She serves as the cofounder and executive director of Precious Dreams Foundation, a nonprofit teaching thousands of displaced youth to self-comfort, and CEO of Pitch House Productions, her consulting agency dedicated to educating corporations on best practices for serving vulnerable populations. Since the inception of Precious Dreams Foundation, Nicole Russell's efforts have been recognized by O, The Oprah Magazine, GLAMOUR Magazine as their "Everyday Hero of the Year," and Observer as one of their "Top 20 Heroes Under 40." She also recently received a Walmart Community Playmaker Award.

Editorial Reviews

2021-04-09
A picture book explores ADHD and an accessible education.

Nicole, a brown-skinned elementary school student, has ADHD. “That means my brain is great at dreaming and exploring. I’m also really smart! But sometimes, I have a little trouble paying attention,” she explains. Cute, slightly stiff cartoons by Thomas depict a class of racially diverse children. When Nicole sits at the back of the class, she finds herself distracted by other students and the room’s decorations. Prompted by her Dad, Nicole requests a desk in the front but she becomes transfixed by the items on her Black teacher’s desk. “Mr. Oakley has a messy desk and it’s talking to me!” Nicole thinks. She announces that the desk is making it hard to concentrate because she has ADHD, and Mr. Oakley responds that “having ADHD is very normal,” and it’s time for a lesson in “the ABCDs of ADHD.” Two other children volunteer that they also have ADHD. The class assembles a list of strategies to help students focus. While this useful discussion leaves Nicole empowered, some readers may wonder whether her class will become more accessible in the wake of this conversation. Missing in Russell’s clear emphasis on self-advocacy is the idea that adults should actively support children who are experiencing difficulty in their learning environments and seek solutions. But the vivid, helpful tale offers needed representation of girls of color who may have unmet accessibility needs and go without diagnoses or advocacy.

A vibrant, informative tale about learning difficulties.

Kirkus Reviews