LOST INSIDE MY HEAD

In this tale translated from French, a young boy with ADHD describes his thought processes.

Life is full of distractions, but for someone with attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), all those distractions can seem chaotic and lead to paralysis as well as low self-esteem. In Vincent’s case it keeps him from concentrating or completing simple tasks. But it also allows his imagination to blossom. After being unable to complete a recitation task in school, Vincent, a light-skinned boy, feels discouraged and seeks a solution to his concentration problems. By dividing his brain into various rooms, he’s able to find a quiet place to help him focus. The text meanders a bit, but its weaknesses are countered by strong artwork that allows readers a glimpse into the various “rooms” in Vincent’s brain. There’s even a chute meant to send away “all the not-so-nice things people say,” with an illustration filled with those negative comments. One of the most telling and relatable double-page spreads features a plethora of crows attacking him and urging him to be “like everyone else.” Eventually, Vincent accepts that he isn’t like others but has his own particular strengths and ways of navigating life, a reassuring message for anyone whose brain functions differently.

A wild ride inside an imaginative but easily distracted brain.