Bernie Thinks in Boxes

by Jess Horn, Zoë Bennett (Illustrator)

A beautiful story about thinking differently and navigating change in a neurotypical world.
Bernie thinks in boxes. She has boxes for everything: for home, for school and even for the park.
Bernie likes boxes. When things fit into boxes, they make sense.
But one day, Bernie's boxes collide, and she must find a way to make sense of her world again.

Genres: Picture Books

Hardcover

Published July 24, 2024

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking for a picture book to share with your primary school class or playgroup addressing neuro-diversity? Self-regulating? Challenges? Personal rules/preferences?

Author, Jess Horn has created a character (Bernie), who has classified aspects of her life into ‘boxes’.

What happens when you see your classroom teacher in the green grocer? Or, you’re served breakfast food for dinner?

Illustrator, Zoe Bennett has used muted colours, picture cells and lovely pencil work to reflect the categorising Bernie goes through.

A thoughtful, balanced and moving picture book to generate discussion.

Read, share and gift to readers of all ages.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bernie thinks in boxes. She has a box for everything: a box for home, for school, for the park. When things fit into boxes they make sense to Bernie. One day, Bernie’s boxes collide and she must find a way to make sense of her world again.
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I was so excited to see the release of this book. It is such a beautiful way to explain how people all think differently, and ultimately validates and provides acceptance for neurodiverse folk in a neurotypical world. This is perfect for adults and children alike- the simplicity gives a new, uncomplicated view of what it is like in someone else’s world.
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Regardless of diversities, this book should be on everyone’s shelf - families, teachers, therapists, and everyone in-between. Bernie Thinks In Boxes gives all neurodiverse children acceptance in who they are, validating those differences and setting an example for all.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jess Horn uses the apt and helpful metaphor of boxes to tell Bernie’s story about how she sees the world carefully organised in discreet ‘boxes’. The book recognises and validates neurodivergence and the story offers one way to manage feelings and live in a neurotypical world. The text is simple without being simplistic and the illustrations are appealing. The illustrator, Zoe Bennett, uses colour as an extra layer within the metaphor and Bernie’s boxes are full of detailed items that add to the story and would provide plenty of interest to maintain the attention of young children. This book would be a great starting point for discussions about thinking differently.

[suprinafartsalot · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is such a cute book! my brother often asks me to read it with him. the illustrations are so stinking cute, its hard not to cut them out to use in my journal!

[Smitchy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bernie likes to put different parts of her life in boxes. She has a breakfast box and a dinner box, a home box and a school box, She has a park friends box and a school friends box. Thinking in boxes helps Bernie organise her world and it makes her happy but sometimes things happen and Bernie's boxes crash into each other. When Bernie sees her teacher, who belongs in the school box, at the store she can't talk to her at all because Miss Williams doesn't fit into the shopping box!
When Bernie's school friend Toby decides to have his birthday party at the park Bernie cannot make anything fit! The school friend box doesn't fit into the park box, the park box definitely doesn't fit into the party box! How will Bernie explain to Toby that she missed his party?

This is a gentle picture storybook that introduced neuro-divergent thinking to little people. Bernie learns to navigate her boxes and her classmates' learn to understand that Bernie needs to do things a little differently.
Recommended for pre-school through to early primary readers.

[Kim De Haan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a stunning book, both beautifully written and beautifully illustrated. The story follows Bernie as she finds her own way to navigate a tricky situation. I love the takeaway message being that you don’t need to change yourself or make yourself unnecessarily uncomfortable to try and ‘fit’. This book is especially powerful for neurodivergent kids who think differently, but is no less enjoyable or meaningful for everyone else.

[Kirstie Muttitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book, and so do my 8 and 4yo. It's so refreshing to read a kids book where the main character doesn't have to "push through" their discomfort in order to fit in and meet expectations. Bernie shows us that you can just do things in a different way that's enjoyable for all parties involved.

Beautifully written and illustrated, I hope to hear more from Bernie!

This is now my go-to present for kid's birthdays.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully-written heartwarming and important story about thinking differently. Bernie likes boxes! When things fit into her boxes they make sense. Until one day Bernie's boxes collide!. My kids absolutely love this charming story about navigating change in a neurotypical world. Exquisite illustrations by talented illustrator, Zoe Bennett and gorgeous prose by children's author Jess Horn. A new, firm favourite on our bookshelf!

[Jay Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think every parent and school should have this book. It is the most relatable example of neurodivergence I’ve seen, whilst maintaining an engaging storyline for even the youngest readers. It’s not didactic in the slightest and it’s full of heart. What better way to encourage empathy and understanding from our children?

[N.K. Forbes · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are a neurodivergent family and we loved reading this book. We’re not always self aware so seeing how this little girl views the world really helps us to understand not only ourselves, but others as well.
I highly recommend this gorgeous picture book for those who think a bit differently, And those who don’t but want to learn.

[Tegan (Slant Postscripts) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book, it made me tear up. I wish I could have had it when I was a kid and I’m so grateful my kids will have access to it. It’s such a wonderful depiction of neurodivergence with absolutely beautiful illustrations that match the text perfectly. This is one for my inner child bookshelf

[Jennifer R. Reyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book showing in words and pictures how some neurodivergent children relate to the world. Absolutely loved it!

[Zoe Crowest · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book that explores neurodivergence in an engaging and accessible way. I’ve no doubt it will be an invaluable tool for many parents and teachers.

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightfully positive story addressing neurodivergence through the character of Bernie, a young girl who compartmentalises her world into boxes that group like concepts together.This helps her navigate her home, school and friendship experiences. However,when things change and something in one box appears in another Bernie can't cope. This comes to a head when a friend from school has invites Bernie to a birtdhay party in the park where she plays with other friends outside of school.
Bernie shows determination to face her concerns and although not necessarily successful she does work at finding solutions - with an affirming and alternative outcome to the party. The loving support of her mother shines through. The soft pastel illustrations compliment the book and Zoe Bennett's 'boxes' provide young readers with a 'window' into how Bernie's mind operates with each box appearing like a mind map of connected ideas relating to daily living and rituals.

CBCA 2025 Picture Book Notable title.