Big Feelings Are OK, by Nicola Ahern
Bath time, bedtime or the tablet going off ending in tears?
Gentle picture books for autistic, ADHD and highly sensitive children. One story, one real moment, one small tool you can use together.
No diagnosis needed. No promise of perfect behaviour. Just gentle support.
βLovely book worth its weight in gold xβ- Amanda
Purpose-built for neurodivergent readers
Made for autistic, ADHD and highly sensitive children
These are autism books for children and preschoolers, written for ages 3 to 6 and often loved for many years beyond. Many autistic children, including children of 10 and older, still find comfort in simple, predictable picture books like these. That is exactly who this series was built for.
Simple, uncluttered scenes
Every page shows one calm moment. No busy backgrounds or visual noise to overwhelm.
One story, one gentle tool
Each book covers a single everyday situation and gives your child one practical strategy to practise.
Predictable and reassuring
Warm repetition and a steady rhythm help anxious or sensitive readers relax into the story.
Does this sound familiar?
You've given the warnings. You've tried to stay calm. And the moment still feels too big for both of you.
- βFive more minutesβ still ends in tears.
- The tablet goes off, and the whole evening changes with it.
- A small change of plan can undo the whole day.
- Bath time has quietly become the hardest part of the evening.
- A loud party or busy place tips things over fast.
Your child isn't giving you a hard time. They may be having a hard time.
Help for the moment, not just the feeling
Many feelings books teach children to name happy, sad or angry. Big Feelings Are OK meets families in the exact moment those feelings show up. Each story gives the child a character who understands and the family a simple idea they can practise together.
Situation-specific
One recognisable everyday challenge per book.
Practical
A simple tool is woven into the story rather than added as a lecture.
Inclusive
No diagnosis is required and neither child nor parent is blamed.
One story. One familiar moment. One gentle tool.
- 1
Choose the moment
Start with what your family is finding hardest right now.
- 2
Read while things are calm
Let the character introduce the situation before it happens again.
- 3
Reuse the shared tool
Return to the same words, breath or small routine when the moment arrives.
Free download
The Big Feelings Calm-Down Kit
A printable you can use together tonight to make one difficult transition feel more familiar and predictable.
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One question at a time
Which moment is hardest for your family right now?
Not a test. Not a diagnosis. Just a starting point.
Every book, one moment
Autism books for preschoolers, one moment at a time
Each title tackles one exact everyday moment. Tap a book to read the full page and see the Amazon listing.
Parents usually find us searching for autism books for kids, children's books about autism, or simply a calmer bath time. Every story here is written for autistic, ADHD and highly sensitive children, with simple scenes and one gentle tool to take away.
- It's Time to Leave the ParkPark exits without a meltdownRead the book page β
- No More Tablet TimeEnding screen time calmlyRead the book page β
- Bath Time Is ComingBath-time refusalsRead the book page β
- When Plans ChangeSudden changes of planRead the book page β
- It's Time to Go NowLeaving anywhere funRead the book page β
- When Things Feel Too LoudLoud, busy placesRead the book page β
- A Calming Sensory StoryOverwhelm and sensory overloadRead the book page β
- When We Make MistakesPerfectionism and mistakesRead the book page β
- The Feelings RemoteNaming and calming feelingsRead the book page β
Prefer to try before you buy?
Free flip books your child can read tonight
Realistic page-turn readers on any phone, tablet or laptop. Create a free account to open - no download, no confirmation hoops with Google sign-in.
Free guides
Helping little children handle big feelings
Emotional regulation is a skill, not a personality. Children build it slowly, borrowing calm from the adult beside them. These free guides show you what that looks like on an ordinary, difficult Tuesday.
How to help a child regulate big emotions
The complete guide for ages 3 to 7: co-regulation, visual tools and what to do mid-meltdown.
Calming strategies for overwhelmed children
What to do in the moment, in order - and what to leave until later.
Emotional regulation activities for kids
Two minutes a day, practised when nobody needs it yet.
Common questions
οΌIs this only for autistic or ADHD children?
No. The stories are written for any child who finds these everyday moments hard. No diagnosis is needed.
οΌIs this just another general feelings book?
Each book focuses on one exact everyday moment, rather than teaching emotions only in the abstract.
οΌWhich book should we start with?
Start with the moment your family is finding hardest right now. The book finder can help you narrow it down.
οΌWill a book stop meltdowns?
These books cannot promise that. They offer a gentle shared way to prepare for a hard moment, alongside whatever else works for your family.
οΌDo we need the whole collection?
No. Begin with one story that matches the current struggle and add another only if a new moment becomes important.
οΌWhere do I buy the books?
Every book page links directly to its verified Amazon UK and/or Amazon US listing. No payment is taken on this website.
Start with the moment your family knows best
You don't need every book, and you don't need a diagnosis. Just begin with the one story that matches what feels hard right now.
Big feelings are allowed. So is asking for a bit of help.