Disclosure: I was sent a digital copy of this book in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Carmen Hernández to bring you this post.
Are you or your child a person who lives a bit in his or her head? Perhaps you or your child have ADHD. Or perhaps you are just an overthinker. It can be hard to go someplace new when you are. Other people may not understand your hesitation or behavior. Today we are sharing a picture book that shares how a young boy is feeling about the first day of school and how his ADHD sometimes controls his behavior. The book is In My Mind by Carmen Hernández and illustrated by HV Helmut. There is a giveaway at the end of this post.
About the Book:
In My Mind Written by Carmen Hernández and Illustrated by HV HelmutAges: 3-8 | 38 Pages | Publisher: Mascot Kids! (2026) | ISBN: 979-8891382909
Publisher’s Book Summary: Starting school is both terrifying and exciting for Camilo. He wonders what his new teacher and classmates will think of him. But, as the day unfolds, Camilo has a hard time fitting in. The classroom feels overwhelming, and he battles nerves that make it hard to focus or speak up. He gets distracted, daydreaming about far-away places, and sometimes he forgets that he is in school altogether. But as the day goes on, Camilo discovers unexpected joys.
This heartwarming story captures the challenges of a child with ADHD who has to navigate a busy first day at school.
Purchase Links:
About the Author:
Carmen Y. Hernández was born in Bogotá, Colombia, and moved to the United States at the age of five. Carmen is the first in her family of five to earn a master’s degree in general education. With fifteen years of experience as an educator, she has witnessed a growing number of students with undiagnosed cases of dyslexia, ADHD, autism, and intermittent explosive disorder (IED).
Through this book, Carmen hopes to raise awareness among a new generation of parents about the increasing prevalence of these disorders and the importance of understanding and supporting children with these challenges.
From Me:
This book shares a young boy with ADHD, Camilo's, first day of school and how the ADHD affects his thoughts and actions. He is excited and nervous for the first day. He wants to meet new friends but then feels like everyone is staring at him and he doesn't look up or talk. Sometimes his mind wanders to daydreams or other thoughts and he forgets where he is so his behavior may seem strange to the teacher and other kids. He doesn't mean to be misbehaving but can't control it. He is tired from getting up early and the day seems a bit too long for Camilo.
I found this book a wonderful view into the mind of a person with ADHD. Often when a child misbehaves, they are seen as doing it on purpose and this book shares that is not always the case. For Camilo, his ADHD caused his mind to wander and forget where he is. He lays down on the rug and gets spoken to for doing so. It also shares how overwhelming the day can be for kids. It is a new activity in a new place with new people. It shares so much that can be going on in someone's mind and is truly eye-opening. I have many students with ADHD and this book helpful in rethinking about some of their behaviors. This book is perfect for families of kids with ADHD as well as classrooms. It is important for everyone to understand that behaviors could be caused by different reasons besides wanting to be bad.
