Maya and the Invisible Stories

by Lisa A. Moore

When Maya meets the new boy on the playground, he won’t share the high swing… and won’t even look at her. Maya decides he must be rude—until her teacher introduces something perspective glasses.

They’re not real glasses… but a way to see with your heart.

Through a thoughtful classroom activity, Maya imagines life in someone else’s shoes—literally. For the first time, she wonders what the new boy, Jordan, might be carrying behind his silence.

What she discovers changes everything.

Maya and the Invisible Stories is a heartfelt, beautifully told picture book about empathy, understanding, and friendship. This touching school-based story helps children see that every person has experiences we can’t always see—stories of worry, hope, change, and courage.

And when we pause, ask, and listen… we just might find a friend where we least expect one.


What This Book Teaches Children✨ How to practice empathy in everyday moments
✨ Why people act the way they do when they’re hurting
✨ How to ask gentle questions and show kindness
✨ The importance of listening before judging
✨ How friendships can grow when we understand someone’s story

This book creates natural opportunities for classroom discussions, parent–child conversations, and emotional learning.


Perfect • Ages 5–8
• Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
• School counselors & psychologists
• Classroom read-alouds
• Teachers and homeschool families
• Children navigating change, divorce, new schools, or big feelings
• Kids learning kindness, emotional awareness, and perspective-taking


Why Parents & Teachers Love It✔ Validates children who are going through hard transitions
✔ Shows real emotions in a compassionate, child-friendly way
✔ Helps kids understand classmates who seem “different”
✔ Encourages curiosity instead of quick judgment
✔ Offers a practical message kids can apply immediately

If you’re looking for a picture book that sparks gentle conversations about empathy, emotional understanding, and the invisible stories we all carry, Maya and the Invisible Stories belongs on your shelf.

Kindle Edition

Published November 20, 2025

About the author

Award-winning fantasy author Lisa A. Moore (Best New Fantasy Author 2025) crafts worlds where Celtic mythology meets modern sass, and gothic shadows hide wicked bargains. Her Readers' Favorite 5-star rated novels 'Whispers of the Selkie' and 'The Bet in Nocturne Alley' showcase her range from selkie shapeshifters to frost-wielding undead. When she's not writing about cursed merchants who speak in rhymes or ancient family secrets, she's plotting new ways to torment her characters (with a cup of tea in hand, naturally). Fair warning: her books may contain excessive amounts of sarcasm, magical mishaps, and the occasional supernatural shenanigan.