Benji's Busy Brain: My ADHD Toolkit
My ADHD Toolkit Books Series
on Goodreads (19)
What’s inside...
Benji’s busy brain brings him adventure and excitement, but it can also make some things harder for him. Join Benji as he learns about being diagnosed with ADHD and adds skills to his toolkit to harness the magic powers of his busy brain.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-10
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Benji feels when he can't control his busy brain?
What are some tools Benji uses to help manage his feelings?
Can you think of a time when you felt like Benji? What did you do?
Why do you think it's important for Benji to understand his ADHD?
What can we do together when we feel overwhelmed or distracted?
Tip: Role play these questions
Validate your child's feelings and experiences by sharing times when you've also felt overwhelmed or unfocused.
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about ADHD or any difficulties they face.
Discuss the tools and techniques from the book, and explore which ones might be helpful for your child.
Create a calm and patient atmosphere during the conversation, keeping open body language and maintaining eye contact.
Reassure your child that it’s okay to have busy or distracted moments and that everyone has their own unique set of challenges and strengths.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding and Acceptance of ADHD
Explanation: The story follows Benji, a young boy with ADHD, as he navigates daily challenges using tools from his ADHD toolkit. Through his journey, readers learn about ADHD traits and coping strategies.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by recognizing and accepting ADHD in themselves or others, fostering empathy and support in school and social situations.
Example Lesson: Importance of Self-Awareness
Explanation: Benji demonstrates self-awareness by using specific tools from his toolkit when he feels overwhelmed. This self-monitoring helps him manage his emotions and actions.
Real-World Application: Kids can use this lesson to identify their own feelings and triggers, which can help them in managing their responses and interactions with others effectively.
Example Lesson: Value of Resourcefulness
Explanation: Throughout the book, Benji creatively uses different techniques and tools to handle situations that are challenging because of his ADHD, showing the importance of being resourceful.
Real-World Application: Children learn to think creatively about using available resources to solve problems, both academically and in everyday life.
Example Lesson: Promoting Perseverance
Explanation: Benji faces several obstacles due to his ADHD, but with determination and the use of his toolkit, he perseveres, teaching readers about the power of persistence.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to keep trying and working towards their goals, regardless of the struggles they may face, which is crucial for lifelong resilience.