This That What: A joyful rhyming story book for busy brains

About this book

Kiki’s brain is very, very busy. 

It’s an explosion of colour, shapes, ideas, questions and energy – but, quite often, she finds it hard to switch off her brain at night and go to sleep, and sometimes she gets bored halfway through a game or a task and wants to do something new. 

Sometimes, Kiki gets so distracted at school that she feels wobbly, hot, scared, and alone, and it makes her want to cry. 

Thankfully, Kiki’s teacher Miss Wriggle is kind and thoughtful, so she gives Kiki lots of paper and pens and paint and asks her to draw and write down everything that’s in that busy little brain of hers. And when Kiki does, she realises she’s created something really marvellous. 

An insightful book about creative, fizzy brains but also specifically children with ADHD, This That What presents a relatable heroine for many children who find focus difficult but have tremendous creative abilities. 

Neurodivergence is never specifically mentioned, and indeed it’s a lovely book for any young reader, but there are definitely children who will relate strongly to Kiki’s fizzy brain, the way she feels wired all the time, and her anxiety.  

Colleen Larmour’s bright, chaotic, paint-spattery illustrations encapsulate Kiki’s feelings perfectly, as well as presenting warm, supportive characters. Lovely.