Families who loved Free Association, Where My Mind Goes During Science Class by Barbara Esham often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child comes home feeling frustrated that they cannot stay on task or when a teacher mentions your child's mind is often elsewhere during lessons. It follows Emily, a bright girl whose brain takes leaps from a science lesson about the respiratory system to imaginative daydreams about scuba diving and bagpipes. The story beautifully reframes 'distraction' as 'divergent thinking,' validating the experience of neurodivergent children who feel the weight of classroom expectations. It is perfect for elementary-aged children who need to see their active, wandering minds as a creative gift rather than a deficit. By reading this together, you can help your child shed the shame of being 'off-task' and celebrate the unique way their brain connects the dots.
