I Don't Like Birthday PartiesHardcover, 21 September 2021

"An empathetic picture book about being a little bit different."--Kirkus Reviews

More than anything, Lucas wants to enjoy birthday parties like his friends... but he is overwhelmed by all of the sights, sounds and sensations that come with celebrations. When he gets invited to a birthday party for his friend, he makes a brave plan to join in, thinking that he should act like everyone else. But when his plan fails, a new friend teaches him that there is more than one way to enjoy a birthday party... and that's perfectly fine.

Lucas was a boy who did not like birthday parties.

He couldn't really explain it, but something about birthday parties made his insides go all squooshy, gooshy and his brain feel squiggly, wiggly.

Children with high sensitivity or neurodevelopmental challenges often experience sensory overload, which means they find loud noises, busy places, and too many people overwhelming. It can be very stressful for the children, causing them to feel excluded, and anxious about new places or events. This wonderful book addresses these issues in a helpful and positive way by telling the story of Lucas, who doesn't like birthday parties, but discovers a way to celebrate that makes him feel comfortable and secure. The story helps children and their parents make sense of overwhelming feelings and overstimulation, by normalizing such experiences and acknowledging that different needs are always valid. - Lauren Callaghan, Consultant Clinical Psychologist