Having a highly sensitive child is a challenge, especially when she is younger. She can’t fully explain what she feels and thinks. She is unable to think abstractly about topics in the way an adult can so it can be difficult to sort out exactly what is going on. That’s why picture books for highly sensitive children can be a powerful way to help children begin to understand their hard-to-express feelings and experiences.
Picture Books for Highly Sensitive Children
Someone asked me about picture books for highly sensitive children in the comments of my post The Reality of Holiday Overwhelm for Highly Sensitive Children. I linked to a few books I found on Amazon, but mentioned I hadn’t read any of them.
Thankfully, one of the authors jumped in and offered to send me her book (all the way from Singapore!). I was so pleased to receive them so I could share more about them with my readers, many of whom have highly sensitive children who struggle with life beyond the quiet of home.
All Too Much for Oliver
Leila Boukarim wrote All Too Much for Oliver to help highly sensitive children see themselves in a story and understand how they interact with the world around them.
Illustrated by Barbara Maxham, this lovely book is a fantastic and peaceful look at the challenges and joys of life as a highly sensitive child.
The book is very simply designed to be gentle and relaxing.
There is lots of white space and the pen and watercolor illustrations are lovely.
Aiden Finds a Way
Boukarim and Maxham also collaborated on Aiden Finds a Way, a look at a boy who is overwhelmed when he goes to a special event at the firehouse.
Aiden has to work through his fears.
I can guarantee you that every child who is highly sensitive has felt just like Aiden in the illustration. So wanting to participate, but being overwhelmed by all the “other” stuff that goes with it. (Actually, plenty of highly sensitive adults struggle with the same dilemma on a regular basis.)
Both are lovely books with a strong message. The one tiny thing they didn’t address and I wish they did was the need for recovery time once a highly sensitive child gets home. That’s such an important part of being a highly sensitive person – decompressing afterwards. It doesn’t take away from me recommending the books at all. It’s simply an aspect I wish had been included.
I think they are wonderful books if you have a highly sensitive child who struggles with feeling different from other kids or simply struggles to fit into the world around her. All Too Much for Oliver and Aiden Finds a Way do an excellent job of starting the conversation about being comfortable with who you are while also taking brave steps forward and making small changes.
All Too Much for Oliver
Aiden Finds a Way
Categories: Gifted/2e Parenting• Picture Books
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