Families who loved Ghosts, Toast, and Other Hazards by Susan Tan 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 if your child is struggling with intrusive thoughts, ritualistic behaviors, or the paralyzing what-ifs that come with clinical anxiety. Mo is a relatable protagonist whose brain works differently: she sees hazards everywhere and relies on specific habits to feel safe. When her family moves into a strange new home that might actually be haunted, she has to distinguish between the very real ghosts of her new house and the loud, fearful whispers of her own mind. This story is a powerful tool for normalizing neurodivergence while maintaining the excitement of a supernatural mystery. It provides a compassionate lens through which parents can discuss the physical and emotional experience of OCD. It is perfectly suited for children ages 8 to 12, offering a hopeful message that while anxiety may always be a part of one's life, it does not have to be the part that makes all the decisions.