Minna'S Masks (Wonderfully Wired Stories)(Bronze Winner)

Bronze Winner - Right Start Awards 2025 Meet Minna and learn about the concept of masking in this informative and inclusive picture book on neurodiversity. Minna's Masks teaches children aged 3-5 all about the awesome abilities that neurodiverse individuals have and gives them a safe space to feel accepted. This inspirational book is written by neurodiverse author Louise Gooding, author of Wonderfully Wired Brains, and sensitively explores a range of neurodivergent experiences. Louise Gooding has been nominated and shortlisted for several awards, including The Week Junior Book Awards and the ALCS Educational Writers' Award. Through Minna's story, readers will learn about masking, which people use to help them fit in or adjust to situations where they may otherwise feel insecure, as well as important lessons about empathy and compassion. This educational book for children features: A positive, friendly look at neurodiverse brains that debunks myths and stereotypes. Informative, inclusive text accompanied by colourful, modern illustrations. Accurate, understandable explanations of diagnoses that impact the brain, including each area of neurodiversity and what it can or does mean for anyone with that particular neurological difference. This book inspires curious young readers and celebrates individual differences, showing that every brain is special. Whether your child is neurodiverse or not, this book will teach them the importance of embracing everyone's unique qualities. The font and colours used have been selected to accommodate a range of neurodiverse readers. Combining neurodiverse experiences with science, history, and brain-bursting facts, Minna's Masks has something for everyone. More in the series Wonderfully Wired Stories is a vibrant and inclusive picture book series that sensitively explores a range of neurodivergent experiences. If you enjoyed learning about masking in Minna's Masks, why not try Wonderfully Wired Brains to discover more about how neurodiverse brains function? *Minna's Masks won Bronze in the Book category at the Right Start Awards 2025. Author Biography: After years working in children's entertainment, Louise Gooding channelled her creativity into writing. Louise has a keen interest in sharing stories that feature characters that stand out, are different, and who have something to say. Inspired by stories from her own experiences and those of her family, she took up writing to find a way of discussing neurological and physical diversity, and how to explore other sensitive issues within children's books. Irina Avgustinovich is a children's book illustrator from Belarus, now based in Portugal. Despite having a bachelor's degree in classical painting and ceramics, she found herself in children's illustration many years ago.