Spring 2025

My Whirling Twirling Motor

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

Charlie feels like he has a whirling, twirling motor running inside him . . . all the time! He doesn’t WANT to have so much energy, but sometimes he just can’t settle down.

When his mom wants to talk to him, he figures he’s in trouble . . . but she has a surprise for him instead. Included is a Note to Parents, Caregivers, and Teachers with more information on hyperactivity, ADHD, behavior management, and helping children focus on the positives.

Format Your Price Add
978-1-4338-2936-9
$13.49
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 2019
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, JUV013060
Dimensions 8 x 10
Features Note to adults, Original artwork, Reviewed, and Starred Reviews

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

School Library Journal

“The story reinforces that his being overactive and impulsive is not intentional and does not make him bad. The young narrator eventually internalizes his parents’ focus on his accomplishments, rather than his challenges, and he wonders what positive things he will do tomorrow. . . . A must-have for young readers with any type of behavior difficulty and their caregivers.”—starred, School Library Journal

Kirkus Reviews

“A practical, sensitive depiction of a child with ADHD facing challenges and receiving affirmation . . . . Compassionate, helpful, and wise.”—Kirkus Reviews