My Wandering Dreaming Mind

  • Interest Level: Kindergarten - Grade 3
  • Reading Level: Grade 3

A reassuring story about a wandering mind, attention challenges, and seeing your strengths

Sadie’s thoughts feel like they’re floating high in the clouds and pulling them back down can be hard. At school and at home, paying attention doesn’t always come easily, and keeping up with assignments, chores, and friendships can feel overwhelming. When distractions take over, Sadie notices her mistakes more than her many strengths.

With the support of her parents, Sadie learns a simple and encouraging way to recognize what makes her special. This relatable picture book helps children understand that challenges with focus don’t define who they are. Praised by the Oregon Coast Youth Book Preview Center, the story offers reassurance to children who are easily distracted while highlighting the importance of self-esteem, encouragement, and focusing on positive qualities.

Key features:

  • Relatable Child Perspective: Follows a young character who struggles with attention in a way many children will recognize.
  • Positive Self-Esteem Focus: Encourages children to notice their strengths, not just their challenges.
  • Supportive Family Message: Shows how caring adults can help children reframe from self-doubt with understanding and reassurance.
  • Conversation Starter: Opens discussion about attention, feelings, and self-confidence at home or in the classroom.
  • Helpful Adult Guidance: Includes a Note to Parents and Caregivers with information about ADHD, self-esteem, and supporting children in focusing on the positives.
  • Trusted Publisher: From Magination Press, the children’s imprint of the American Psychological Association, experts in child development and emotional well-being.
Format Your Price Add
978-1-4338-3183-6
$16.99
978-1-4338-4654-0
On pre-order until 02/01/2026
$21.99
Available at all major wholesalers and distributors. Save 25% off list price on library bound hardcovers and all eBook and eBook with Audio editions when you buy direct! Digital purchases will be accessed on Lerner Digital Bookshelf. An account will be created for you after purchase.
Interest Level Kindergarten - Grade 3
Reading Level Grade 3
Genre Picture Books
Category Diverse Books: Mental Health & Neurodiversity, Diversity, SEL: A Self-Awareness, SEL: B Self-Management, Social Emotional Learning
Copyright 2020
Publisher Magination Press, American Psychological Association
Imprint Magination Press — American Psychological Association
Language English
Number of Pages 32
Publication Date 2025-01-01
Text Type Fiction
BISACS JUV077000, JUV039140, JUV035000
Dewey [Fic]
Dimensions 8 x 10
Features Original artwork and Reviewed

Author: Merriam Sarcia Saunders

Merriam Sarcia Saunders, LMFT, is a licensed family therapist and child custody mediator specializing in helping neurodivergent families and children, specifically with ADHD, autism, anxiety, and learning disorders.

Illustrator: Tammie Lyon

Tammie Lyon is best known for illustrating the Katie Woo series. She also illustrated the Makers Make It Work book, Double or Nothing. She lives in Cincinnati, Ohio with her husband and dogs.

Reviews

Kirkus Reviews

“The positive scaffold provides a hopeful launch pad for progress. . . . This fills a needed bibliotherapy niche for families, therapists, and school counselors. . . . A positive spin for all those who struggle with executive function and those who love them.”—Kirkus Reviews

Publishers Weekly

“Whatever the writer’s capacity, time constraints, or creative mood, these pages offer a trove of ideas to spark inspiration, among them exercises and crafting activities such as list making, shape poems, hand-crafted haiku holders, dialogue practice, and journaling. A helpful and enjoyable desk-side tool.”—Publishers Weekly