Minna's Masks (Wonderfully Wired Stories)

By Author / Illustrator

Louise Gooding, Irina Avgustinovich

Genre

Representation & Inclusion

Age range(s)

Publisher

ISBN

9780241687925

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

07-08-2025

Synopsis

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. 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. The informative, inclusive text provides 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?

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Reviews

Jen

Minna uses masks to help her navigate life. But when Minna starts at a new school, and forgets to bring her masks, she has a tricky day. Everything is just too much and in the end she becomes dysregulated. Minna doesn't know what to do until a boy from the class shows her his mask and Minna realises she isn't the only person who needs masks.

Minna's Masks teaches children and adults about masks and why people consciously or unconsciously mask in different situations. Masking can be a way of coping but it can also lead to burn-out as the individual holds in thoughts and feelings so much that it becomes overwhelming.

This is a good book to introduce discussions about neurodivergence with a group of children. Do any of them change their behaviour or worry like Minna does? I will be reading this to my class of five- and six-year-olds in small groups to aid discussions. I will also be lending it to families as it's a good introduction to understanding how their child may be feeling.

Picture book / Reviewed by Jen Bevan, teacher