At our last visit to the children’s department of our local library, my kids and I checked out a handful of books about ADHD and autism (since we’ve been diagnosed with both). There were two standout books, both in the same series by the same author, so I wanted to take a minute here and recommend them.

The books are My Life with ADHD and My Life with Autism, both written by Mari Schuh and illustrated by Isabel Muñoz. They are picture books told in the first-person voice of a child with ADHD (Annabelle) and a child with autism (Zen). They’re lively, straightforward, and informative without being patronizing.

True to their titles, they have a feel of sharing an actual person’s life, rather than delivering a set of abstract characteristics. In fact, according to the backs of the books, they are based on actual children called Annabelle and Zen! I think this is a great way to write books meant to teach about special needs.

One of my daughters especially resonated with My Life with ADHD because of how very similar the details of Annabelle’s life are to hers.

There are apparently other books in this series, too:

I love that books like this exist--and I love that these particular books exist--so I wanted to share that gladness. We need all the joys we can get in these troubling times!

Thanks for reading. Wishing you books that make you feel sparkly! ✨

Anna’s River

☔️ I love these picture books about autism …