12 Days of Neuroinclusive Children’s Books: A Brain-Friendly Reading Countdown for Kids
Why Try a Neuroinclusive Reading Countdown?
If you're looking for a fun and meaningful way to introduce your child to neuroinclusive children’s books, try creating a 12-day reading countdown! Whether you’re a teacher, caregiver, or parent, these brain-friendly stories help kids explore neurodiversity, emotional regulation, sensory processing, and the many ways different brains experience the world.
How to Create a Neuroinclusive Children’s Books Countdown
There are lots of ways to do a countdown. You could pick a book a month throughout the year and focus on that particular story in your conversations. You could build a series of lesson plans using different books that teach about neurodiversity with your kids. Or you can just simply add the stories to your life as a fun way to read.
A popular holiday season tradition is to turn the 12 Days of Christmas into a book countdown. This can also be adapted for other special occasions like birthdays. Here’s how:
Step 1: Select the books that you would like to include in your countdown. (Find my recommended book list below for some of our favourite neuroinclusive children’s books!) Source them from wherever you can - new, used, or even borrowed from the library or friends.
Step 2: Wrap the books in colourful paper. If you want to read the books in a specific order, make sure you number them - kind of like an advent calendar. That way, your child can practice number sense along with reading!
Step 3: Every day, have your child unwrap a story and then snuggle somewhere cozy to read it together. Give them a chance to look through the book on their own, ask them leading questions about the pictures on the pages, encourage them to ask their own questions, and be willing to read it more than once.
Best Neuroinclusive Children’s Books for Your 12-Day Countdown
We read a lot of books at our house and have amassed a collection of great neuroinclusive children's books that focus not only on exceptionalities, but also how our brains work. Here are some of the favourites on our shelves.
Brian the Brain Head Space: How Your Brain Works! Head Space Paperback Book — Author Jenny Mouse
This book is a “day in the life” of a brain story. Follow Brain, Ryan’s brain, and learn all of the complex jobs he has to do just to keep his human going through the day. Learn about brain body connection and parts of the brain to enhance your discussion about brain differences.
Brian the Brain Mind Trip: Explore the Parts of the Brain Mind Trip Paperback Book — Author Jenny Mouse
Is your child curious about how their brain works? Mind Trip is the perfect way to teach kids about brain science, emotional regulation, and mental health in a fun, easy-to-understand way. With Brian the Brain as their guide, children will explore the different parts of the brain, their functions, and how they impact emotions and behavior. The perfect tool to help your child understand why they sometimes feel out of control, while also giving them some fun and playful calm down tools.
Brian the Brain Mindset Go!: How the Brain Learns Brian the Brain Mindset Go! How the Brain Learns — Author Jenny Mouse
Marta feels like giving up, but what she doesn't realize is that her brain is her super power! Every time she struggles her neurons team up to help her learn, and soon she finds herself completing challenges beyond her imagination. A book to encourage the development of a growth mindset and of grit, this is the perfect read when your child feels like giving up.
Silly Stories Writing Prompts for Kids — Author Jenny Mouse
Turn giggles into stories with Silly Stories for Kids! Packed with wacky, imaginative, and laugh-out-loud writing prompts, this book inspires children to unleash their creativity and have fun with words. Though it’s a writing journal, not a story to read, Silly Stories makes writing fun! It takes the pressure off of perfect letter formation or spelling. It’s a great tool for you reluctant writer, or your budding author alike!
Adventure with Moose
I love how the Adventures with Moose presents autism in a way that just makes it feel like an ordinary part of life. Moose isn’t showing off his “Autism Superpower,” but autism isn’t holding him back either. It just is part of who he is.This book is super cute, and well written. It’s definitely one to pick up for your classroom or home library. I could see it pairing beautifully with a lesson about neurodiversity, or just as a sweet bedtime tale. See our interview with the authors here
It Stinks - A Christmas Story
If you have a child with sensory processing challenges, you should check out any of The Adventures of Li-Li stories. It stinks focuses on sensory processing challenges with smell in a fun Christmas setting. Inspired by the author’s daughter who was diagnosed with sensory processing disorder as a child, The Adventures of Li-Li aims to educate and support parents.
Your Fantastic Elastic Brain: Stretch It, Shape It
This book is packed with information about the brain. It is perfect for curious kids! I recommend it as a read for 7 and up as it is very in depth and detailed, though my kids did enjoy flipping through the colorful pages when they were younger. A great addition to help kids understand their brain and how it works.
Don't Hug Doug: (He Doesn't Like It)
Don’t Hug Doug was one of my daughter’s favorite books for years! Featuring a cute and funny rhyming story, it is great for teaching how to self advocate, the importance of consent, and acceptance of differing needs.
Rae's First Day: The First Story in The Capables Series
Inspired by his daughter’s disability, the author of The Capables Series wanted to show how disability can be a superpower, so he gave his characters literal super powers! Written as a graphic novel, the constant flow of images really help keep kids engaged throughout the story.
Rosalee the Seeker: A Sensory Processing Disorder Story (Sensory Stories Book 1)
A sensory processing disorder story that can give parents and kids alike a “aha” moment. Rosalee is a girl with unique needs that were not well understood until she was diagnosed with sensory processing disorder. This book is especially great to introduce kids to Occupational Therapy and what it means.
Alexander the Avoider: A Sensory Processing Disorder Story (Sensory Stories Book 2)
To pair with Rosalee the Seeker, Alexander the Avoider is a great read from the same series. Though Alexander may seem like Rosalee’s opposite in a lot of ways, both of them have sensory processing disorder. It can be really helpful for children to read the two books together and see what they notice in themselves! The interesting thing is that sensory kids often are seekers in some areas, and avoiders in others!
Ricky, the Rock That Couldn't Roll
Ricky is a rock that is flat on one side, and he can’t roll down the hill to play with his friends. He feels left out, so his friends decide to help him out. They try all of these different ways to help Ricky roll, and together they find a way to include him. A story of acceptance and inclusion, Ricky the Rock was inspired by the author’s disabled child and normalizes the use of assisted devices that help children join in the fun.
Why Neuroinclusive Reading Matters for Every Child
No matter when or how you use your 12-day reading countdown, these books offer wonderful opportunities for connection, reflection, and conversation. Each title helps kids better understand themselves and the people around them and turns reading into something joyful, empowering, and deeply inclusive.
FAQs
Q: What makes a children’s book neuroinclusive?
A: Neuroinclusive books represent different types of brains and learning styles, such as sensory needs, emotional regulation differences, ADHD, autism, and more.
Q: What age is a 12-day reading countdown for?
A: It works beautifully for ages 3–12, depending on which books you select.
Q: Can I use these books in a classroom setting?
A: Absolutely. Many of these books pair well with SEL lessons, growth mindset activities, and discussions about neurodiversity.
Q: Do neuroinclusive children’s books help all kids?
A: Yes! They support empathy, self-awareness, and understanding—beneficial for every child, not just neurodivergent learners.