Lost Inside My Head

by Vigg, David Warriner (Translator)

How is Vincent supposed to focus when there's so much going on at once?! Vincent has a huge house in his head. It has an entrance, a living room, dark rooms, a light room, a space room and a control room. Vincent spends a lot of time in the control room trying to figure out how it all works, but with its thousands of flashing lights, buttons, levers and blinking screens, it can be total chaos―how is he supposed to know where to look? At school, when he tries to recite a fable in front of his class, he blows it. Even though he knows it by heart, not a single syllable comes to mind. Vincent feels like a misfit when people tell him to just concentrate, and he often has trouble in school. He can't seem to think, but he also can't stop thinking. Sometimes he wants to escape his own head and just be like everyone else. But maybe Vincent doesn't have to be the same as everyone else after all. Maybe he just has to learn how to look, to find the light room and see things in his own way. Inspired by the author's experience growing up with ADHD, Lost Inside My Head is a touching and illuminating story that brings the reader into the thoughts, struggles, joys and uniqueness of a young child with ADHD.

Genres: Picture Books, Adhd, Childrens, Disability, Mental Health, Psychology

72 pages, Hardcover

Published October 17, 2023

Reviews

[Cherlynn | cherreading · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funnily I felt the exact same as Vincent while reading this book: Restless, distracted and not the most engaged. I like how the protagonist's mind is portrayed as somewhere with many different rooms, each with their own purpose. A very insightful read that many can relate to.

[Katie Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was on the Global Literature in Libraries Initiative’s World Lit Wednesday list. I loved this book. It is one of the best representations of neurodivergence I have seen in a children’s book. The story follows a boy named Vincent, who is struggling in school but lives a rich life inside his head. He demonstrates this by showing that his mind is like a house with different rooms for different purposes. The illustrations greatly enhance the story by giving visuals of how scattered Vincent’s mind can be and what helps him to focus.
All children should read this book, but K-3 is the target audience. Neurodivergent children may see themselves in Vincent and may learn some of the coping skills that he uses. Neurotypical children can learn how Vincent’s brain works and be more open to accepting children who are different from them. They can also learn how to interact with neurodivergent kids and make them feel more seen and accepted.

[Juan Rodriguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lost Inside My head is a picture book written by Vigg. I found this book on GLLI's #WorldKitLit Wednesday Blog Post. I obtained a copy of my book through my local public library.

In this book, the protagonist, Vincent, is the focus and the books takes us through a journey inside of their inner thoughts and struggles. The book uses vivid illustrations and different font formats. In fact, there is a two page spread of just words as to what Vincent thinks of a classroom window. The busy pages full of text show us the readers how it is like inside Vincent's head. Full of thoughts and wonder. Yet, we see how his teacher reacts saying he is daydreaming or "not here with us." This book is very powerful in showing us how Vincent navigates through his emotions.

I would use this book during one of our SEL's that we do in class every Wednesday. I think this is a perfect read aloud book for elementary age students to read and have a discussion about how everyone is different and not everyone is the same. It can be used to teach empathy and respect towards one another. It is a great book to teach about mental health.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot wait to tell you about this book, its a 5/5 would recommend to any/all parents! I have a 7 year old daughter who is sometimes all over the place and gets jumbled in her head, just like Vincent! My partner has ADHD (as does the author!), and it was a special book for them to get to experience together.

The story takes you into Vincent's mind and man is it a rollercoaster from the start! He describes the inside of his head as a house filled with all different types of rooms, which can make it hard for him to focus. This book helped to solidify that it is okay to be different and that we don't have to be like everyone else to shine in our own way.

Vigg did an excellent job with storytelling and you can feel just how special this book is to them when reading it. It feels genuine and relatable, and the illustrations add to the book perfectly!

This book really helped to be a conversation starter in our house. It opened up a real talk with our daughter about our shared struggles and some of the ways we can help her get through them.

If you have a kiddo with ADHD (or just want a fantastic book about being different and finding self-acceptance) this is a must have! Trust me, it has been a gamechanger for us. This book with touch your heart and make you and your kiddo appreciate the beautiful mess that is our minds.

[Feli_H · Rating 3 out of 5]

⬇ English translation of this review can be found in the comments section ⬇

“¿Cuándo ves a alguien no te has preguntado, qué sucede dentro de su cabeza? Pues yo lo sé, o al menos en la cabeza de Vincent“

Con esta referencia a Intensamente de Pixar, doy comienzo a esta reseña para hablarles sobre el joven protagonista de esta historia.

Las decepciones de su profesora de la escuela, las burlas de sus compañeros de clase, e incluso las exigencias de sus padres en casa, no hacen más que abrumar al pequeño de Vincent. Cada día trata de hacer acopio de ganas para afrontar esas tres situaciones, pero a veces es simplemente demasiado. Ante tanto caos se hace necesario encontrar un refugio, el suyo es dentro de su cabeza. Aunque no es tan fácil estar allí como pareciese.

A través de unas ilustraciones ingeniosas y con un estilo artístico similar a una pintura, Vincent nos va a ir contando sobre cómo funciona su abundante mente. Abundante como una segunda casa, como él mismo se refiere a ella, llena de cuartos y centros de operación que visita constantemente durante el día -y uno incluso que visita de noche al dormir-. Todo este entramado de habitaciones, nos permite conocer de primera mano cómo funciona la mente de un niño con Trastorno por déficit de atención e hiperactividad (TDAH). Las metáforas utilizadas ensalzan un texto ya de por sí interesante en su exposición de información, no apurándose en mostrarnos las particularidades que hacen ser a Vincent, Vincent, y que deja expuestos de forma clara los desafíos con los que lidia en su día a día.

Como es un libro de imágenes de capítulos con textos, se hace difícil cerrar todo o dejar perfilados personajes como si lo haría, por ejemplo, una novela. Más eso no es motivo para no cerrar las tramas principales ya abiertas, como lo son sus momentos en la escuela y los instantes con sus padres. El autor no ocupó las 32 páginas clásicas de este formato, por lo que fácilmente podría haberse extendido más al mostrar lo que fue del protagonista luego de haber llegado a una conclusión al final de la historia. Una conclusión que encontré innecesariamente apresurada, aparte, y por ende no satisfactoria. Haber ahondado en las adaptaciones a realizar tanto en su casa como en el colegio, hubiese logrado transmitir el tan importante mensaje inclusivo.

En general ha sido una lectura que me ha gustado por la forma en que el autor nos muestra la mente de un niño que presenta esta condición de salud, constituyendo sus puntos más fuertes su logro al crear una visión accesible que fuese entretenida de seguir a la vez que informativa. En el apartado de la trama, en cambio, presentó un inicio y desarrollo prometedores, y un final que yo hubiese realmente querido que le hiciese justicia a sus dos anteriores.

Disfrutable para niños desde los 8 años en adelante, y para todo aquel que le interese conocer cómo es observar la vida a través de los ojos de Vincent.

Mis agradecimientos a Edelweiss+ y a la editorial Orca Books Publishers, por darme la oportunidad de acceder al DRC de este libro.

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 4 out of 5]

A longish picture book that attempts to depict something of the author's experience growing up with ADHD. Someone In My House is being tested for it and related issues. Many many people have thought I have adult ADHD, though my getting into trouble all the time in middle school surely had something to do with it, in retrospect. I generally did either very well or very weirdly (and sometimes badly) in school (and then also later in life), overwhelmed by multiple streams of thought occurring all the time in my head.

I have been at times quite "productive"--an author, a teacher for decades, a partner, a Dad, and so on--and done good things in my life, but a lot does not get done, and due to constant distractions it can take me a lot of time to get things done. I've never been medicated for it, though doctors have disputed my family's claims about my having driven them crazy by my often "pressured" speech, filled with (come on, interesting!?) ideas. The doctors seem to think my way of talking and thinking is charming. But this is how it is for everyone about me at first, usually. This Other Person has challenges like mine, but maybe is struggling more than I did at his age. But I have half my siblings on medication for ADHD and they say it helps them focus.

You either like and understand the crazy way I write and think or you are driven crazy by it, that's the way it's always been for me. I have amazing friends who love to talk to me for hours at a time. And some students who seem seriously disturbed by what seems to them chaotic rambling.

Is this "review" evidence of my ADHD?!

Anyway, Vigg describes the various rooms in his head where sometimes great things get done but also rooms where multiple distractions overwhelm his ability to get anything done. Not able to speak in classes even though he was smart enough to master the content. This Other Person has few close friends (I have many, so there's a difference, I'm very social and he is not so much outside of the comfort of his family) and rarely speaks in school. Maybe that makes me more functional, but I was also a strange bird in school at times. Until college and beyond, where I largely succeeded in spite of my somewhat "spectrumy" behavior.

I was, as much as I appreciated the effort to capture the author's experience with ADHD, a little overwhelmed by the book, distracted in my reading of it--all the rooms, all the issues, all over the place--like my head at times, unable to escape thinking about this Other Person and his probable ADHD and also my own probable ADHD and how alike and also differently we experience the world. I will ask This Other Person to Read this book and add to my review in some way and I think I'll actually buy it to have others read it so I can talk about it and maybe even at this late age do something finally about it.

[Christie Kaaland · Rating 5 out of 5]

The subtitle of this French import is "The Story of a Boy Who Can't Help Being Different". The author-illustrator's personal perspective on what it's like growing up with ADHD.

Vincent has practiced-to-perfection the assigned recitation of the fable "The Fox and the Crow" and at home he can attest (as can Mom) that he has it memorized, but when he gets to school and is asked to get up in front of the class and recite his story, he freezes and the distractions in his head prevent his recitation. His mind is a blank slate.

Inside Vincent's head is his "house" which he shares, room by room in great detail, and where his mind goes, willingly or not, when his brain uncontrollably bounces out of control. In the Living Room, Vincent dwells comfortable with his imaginary friends; his friends "help him make sense of things", a great need he has in other settings. The Control room is filled will an unimaginable number of figures, lights, and other forms of total chaos. He does have positive places, too: the Light Room "where anything is possible" and the Dark Room, "the only place where [Vincent] can get awa from the light and the clutter." One room, The Space Room, is open to the cosmos, an obviously overwhelming room. Viggs' presentation of these rooms offer readers an empathetic look at what the brain activity of a child with ADHD suffers.

Use of white space sets scenes apart and help deliver the emotional turmoil, along with placement on the page, for some feelings of isolation. Vigg uses pastel dots to represent all the distractions and thoughts that clutter his mind.

This story delivers. No mention within the pages of what Vincent suffers from; instead the author-illustrator's respect for readers' intelligence provides a satisfactory reading experience, an excellent example of what its like to suffer from neurodivergence.

[Leslie Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐️

I very much enjoyed this book. I have ADD and could relate to this book on a lot of levels.

The main character's “house” immediately made me think of the BBC’s Sherlock and his “Mind Palace”. I liked that each room represented different ways in which someone might experience ADD/ADHD as it’s not always the same experience at all times nor the same for all people.

I appreciated that Vigg added the scene where the main character’s teacher had him sit at the front of the class near her, but made the mistake of putting him at a window. Most teachers, even now, don’t understand ADD/ADHD and can’t see the entirety of what is going on. They will try techniques that work for them but won’t work for someone with ADD/ADHD. Having someone with ADD/ADHD sit next to a window in order to get them to concentrate is so out of touch but also so very expected.

Luckily there has been more exposure over the years and now accommodations can be made that actually have a chance of helping. For instance, in college, I was able to take my exams in a “distraction-free zone” where all I had to look at was a blank wall and dividers on either side of me preventing me from seeing anyone or anything else.

My one complaint is that the transition from him trying to share a story in from of his class to describing the house inside his brain felt choppy and disjointed. I think one or two more sentences transitioning would have smoothed this out.

I would definitely recommend this book to individuals with or without ADD/ADHD as it explains symptoms in a structured and simple way that promotes empathy.



**Thank you, NetGalley and Orca Book Publishers for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.**

[Kaitlin Bridges · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Lost Inside My Head" by Vigg was written about a character named Vincent who struggles with ADHD. The author chose to write this story to share their own personal experience with it. The story strongly portrayed the chaos and frustration of what it's like to struggle with this disability through the use of metaphors -lights, a dark room, stairs- colorful illustrations, and creative use of text. For example, when Vincent's teacher thought sitting by her would help them focus more, but in fact they didn't because the teacher's desk was by the window, the next page of text was ALL CAPITALIZED words upon more words of all the distractions outside the window. The page following that was a teeny picture of Vincent at their desk feeling small when the teacher called them out for "zoning out" during the writing time. This use of illustrations and creative text evoked the frustration and chaos one would feel with this disability.

The story was not so much about the tools and solutions, but about the experience of having ADHD. The ending provided a solution for Vincent, but disappointingly and abruptly stopped without showing the solution play out. It felt rushed and for that reason I give it 3 stars.

In the classroom, this book would be a good way to teach empathy. After reading, have an open dialogue and discussion around the question: "Does anyone ever feel like that?" The main character just wants to be like everyone else, but he's not and he just needs to embrace who he is. Isn't this something we can all relate to?

I found this book from the Wakelet and this website (https://glli-us.org/2023/11/08/worldk...) and checked it out from my local public library.

[SusanTalksBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a 72-page, full-color, full-page edge-to-edge illustrated children's book that tells what it is like to be inside the mind of a boy with ADHD. It is translated from French and written by a French-Canadian author, targeted to children age 6-8 per the book's description.

Every page features depictions of how Vincent's mind is partitioned into different spaces and how information flows visually into his brain, overlapping and overwhelming. There is a control room, which doesn't work properly (executive functioning), and demonstrations of how some interventions, like sitting near the teacher and window (away from distracting students) is just as distracting, but for other reasons.

I think this book does an excellent job showing visually and with words, just how confusing and confounding ADHD is a neurodiverse condition. This book helps normalize ADHD and explain how information comes to some children with ADHD, which is very, very important for families and educators.

That said, I thought the messaging of the book felt pretty overwhelming and a bit almost scary for the target audience of 6-8 year olds. I would have loved to read how Vincent got his brain to go to the light room, where he can think, and how his parents and teachers could help support him in that journey.

A very impressive work to explain how the ADHD brain works, which makes it a compelling read for parents and educators. 5-stars. Pub date 10/17/23. 72 pages.

Thank you Orca Book Publishers and NetGalley, for providing an eARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

#netgalley @netgalley #lostinsidemyhead #orcabook @orcabook

[Wendy Burch Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful look at one of the many ways that ADHD can show up for kids - and how that plays out both at home and school. Gorgeously illustrated and translated into language that makes it accessible for younger readers, “Lost In My Head” uses the analogy of a house of many rooms to show the reader what it’s like to live with a neuro-divergent ADHD brain. Rich in symbolism, there is a lot to unpack here. And readers of all ages will connect with the feelings of anxiety leading up to a classroom presentation - even one well-rehearsed.

Like many ADHD kids, my own son also has a few “superpowers”, and learning to name & harness these has been key to his success - both at school and at home. And, like Vincent, it has helped him to understand that he is not “stupid”, a “space cadet”, or “lazy”. Just that his brain works differently.

With this book, Vigg has gifted us with another example of normalizing neuro-divergence. My one wish for this book was that Vincent’s teacher had the chance to see his “superpower” and better understand him (and how to meet his needs as his teacher). As an educator - I am keenly aware of how our public schools often fail our neuro-divergent learners. And my hope is that, through story, we can help change that narrative by giving voice to those who often cannot advocate for themselves. The more we read, the more we know! :)

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lost Inside My Head is the most powerful book on neurodiversity I have ever read. And it’s a book for children, about a little boy who is different than other children, misunderstood, and bullied. He spends most of his waking hours in a complex “house inside his head”, a place both scary and chaotic and safe and serene. He lives in this house at school, too, and even when his teacher thinks she can help him concentrate by giving him a desk near her and a window, he’s so assaulted by stimuli that he again zones out and produces no class work.

Eventually he starts to figure out how to live in the safe places inside his head and use those places in the outer world.

I can definitely relate to this child because I have many “different” attributes myself. I have ADHD and I hyperfocus on things I’d rather do to escape from the tedium of maintaining a household. I almost wept for this little boy in whom I saw a lot of myself, even though I’ve managed to develop coping skills so I’m not lost as I felt as a child.

The illustrations are beyond wonderful. I recommend this book for anyone. And I will tell my friends about it.

Thank you to the author, the publisher,and NetGalley for the precious gift of reading this book as an ARC.

[Katrisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think every teacher or behavior specialist should have this book. This book is sweet and touching as a young boy tries to navigate the world and his classroom "like everyone else". Vigg likens the boy's inner world to a house where he tries to sort out all the input in his world to make sense of it. It is heartbreaking to see how the boy wants to function and the ways that he tries even though the adults in his world (especially his teacher) aren't always helpful. I plan to add this to my class reading list as it is a kid friendly way to let other kids who struggle with focus know that they are not the only ones and I think it will spark some good conversations in a classroom.

Thank you to Netgalley and Orca Book Publishers for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is amazing but also very hard to describe. It’s about a young boy who lives inside his own head. And how living inside his own head affects his outside world. And he’s trying to get the two lives to merge. Personally, I really hate the teacher in the book. However, while I can’t excuse the teacher, we are seeing it from the boys eyes, and we know that things may not be as they appear. This is not a book for story time or book to sit pleasantly and read, what it is, is a book that will touch kids who experience the same things. It will help them know, and realize that they are not alone, and that there is nothing bad or wrong with them. This book is amazing and should be in every library.

[Kay S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like this book, and the experiences are outdated? I feel like modern teachers, especially primary school teachers are more aware of neurodivergence and its signs than they were. It's also very artistic... like there were times I wasn't entirely sure what the author was trying to communicate through the metaphors (space room? the fox?).

The illustrations are great and cute enough to grab attention but at times are overwhelmingly bland. I feel like the message could've been better portrayed by some bright and harsh colours? But I get the crow being dark and overwhelming... I mean, I get it. I get the message/meaning/underlying metaphor. But I have experience in the field of being neuro-spicy with a brother with ADHD.

Also, parents... step up. Jeez.

[Mommywest · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully written and illustrated book that will help children (and adults!) with ADHD feel heard, seen, and understood; and, hopefully, accepted, especially by themselves and those they love.

Personally, I felt that while the ending was beautiful as Vincent finds a way to accept himself, it was a bit abrupt, and left me wondering if the adults in his life ever learned more about his disorder or got him more help through medical professionals. Ultimately, everyone needs to come to a place of self-love, acceptance, and respect, but I hope that the children who read this book or have it read to them by an adult will know that the people they love also accept and respect and love them the way they are.

[Theediscerning · Rating 3 out of 5]

The potential was here, in this book, but it ended too quickly, showing itself to be too brief and a little too insubstantial to really reach the heights. It's a brief memoir of someone looking back on their school days, before they received an ADHD diagnosis. The way it all comes across, with different mental rooms, and far too many things to focus on – leaving the outside observer to believe the opposite and that nothing whatsoever was being focused on – is done well. Sort of a graphic novel, as it's a series of splash pages and spreads with overlaid text, as opposed to caption boxes, it certainly shows ability on the visual side of things. Three and a half stars.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully imaginative book about a boy with ADHD and the way his brain works! As a librarian with ADHD I related to his periods of hyperfocus about topics he was interested in and his easy distractability, as well as the frustration when you just can't seem to bring yourself to do things you need or have to do. I think this book would be beneficial for children with ADHD to feel represented, as well as framing it creatively for children without to understand. The illustrations were wonderful as well.

Thank you to Orca and Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

This may be the most confusing picture book I have ever read. It is inspired by the author's experience growing up with ADHD which I respect, but if this was what it was like to have ADHD, to have this level of confusion and sense of being overwhelmed, all I can say is wow. The narration of the map of Vincent's house which is really inside his head is enough to confuse a non-ADHD person. I could feel his sense of being overwhelmed because I was overwhelmed reading the story. I'm not sure how this story would translate to being shared with kids, but I do think it would be a good read for parents to get a picture of what it is like inside some kids' heads.

[Austyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like most translations, I think this book might not be what American kids want to read (the tone is a little sad, the length a bit too long), but it's one of the most important books I've read in a long time.

I don't remember ever having ADHD representation as a kid. Luckily, kids have more options now, which is wonderful. This one is excellent. It's simple and specific, and describes aspects of ADHD that are deeply difficult to explain to those without it. Anyone who has struggled with it should read this, but so should any adult with a child with ADHD in their lives. I could see this being really helpful for teachers, as well.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating picture book. I had no idea what it was about before picking it up from the new book section at my public library. Initially, I was confused by this story and didn't enjoy it because it didn't make sense. Then I read the book's back cover, which stated this was a story of the author's experience growing up with ADHD, and everything made perfect sense. So many of my students probably have the same thoughts and experiences as the main character, so it helped me better understand what they go through daily. This book will probably help those with ADHD feel understood.

[Grace-Marie Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lost Inside My Head is a great book to share with children about what living with ADHD is like. I would suggest this title for 3-5th grades as it is a longer book that requires a higher level of comprehension, especially to truly understand the struggle of Vincent to navigate his mind.

Great title to add to your SEL library! I received an ARC from Netgalley and never get paid for my reviews.

[Jess M. Samuels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this for my son who is Autistic and recently received an ADHD diagnosis as well. Reading this book helps me, as an adult, place myself in his place and make me reflect on how much adults really lack the understanding of neurodivergent kids and lose patience with them - when there is so much light and creativity inside each diverse kiddo if they are given the right environment to thrive.

Can't wait to share it with my 7-year-old and see how he related to the character!

[Musiclib · Rating 4 out of 5]

This title is based on the author's experiences prior to his diagnosis with ADHD. Using apt illustrations and descriptions of the chaos (the author's word) going on in his head, the reader sees Victor try to conform to the expectations of his teacher, classmates, and family, all while feeling his thoughts are out of control.

While it is in picture book format, it is a bit long (72 pages) and is better suited for an older elementary group.

[JenniferJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was interesting what with having a child with ADHD and being able to see more of how he views things and separates his emotions and feelings to deal with just every day stuff and how the same situation can have a different feel on any given day. I felt like the author portrayed this well and the illustrations were amazing! Well worth taking a moment to read this whether you or somebody you know has ADHD or even if you don't it's good to read just to try to understand it a bit better.

[Lisa's Book Corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

An imaginative and moving story about how one little boy envisions his ADHD as a house in head. Some rooms help him like the light room, some rooms make things more difficult like the dark room which always seems to evade him. And the control room is a mess, yet he perseveres, trying to find his light.

[Sarah S. Smee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations of this book are really vivid and interesting, with a bit of an Inside Out vibe. Unfortunately, the text is a bit confusing. While it seems fairly clear that the author is describing ADHD, it is never mentioned in the text. The coping methods and strategies could have been more clearly and usefully stated.

[Annese · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would love a follow up to this story! It ends to soon, but in a good way. It left me wanting more. More of Vincent's story, more of how he looks at the world, more of how he plans to implement his new way of thinking.

[hofthehalfdozen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I had this book in my classroom! I absolutely believe it would have been a lifeline for some of my kids to read and understand that their brain is wired differently than other brains and give them HOPE!

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.