Cover Image: My Whirling Twirling Motor

My Whirling Twirling Motor

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Member Reviews

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A great tool for more understanding of ADHD. Great pictures and the story flows well.

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This book is about a little boy named Charlie who is continually wound up and can't seem to calm himself. He compares his feelings to a whirling, twirling motor inside of him that never seems to run out of energy. It keeps his mind and body occupied every minute of the day. He's truly an energizer bunny. This constant movement and busyness inside of him often gets him into trouble as he cannot stop, focus or settle himself.

One night at bedtime his mom wants to have a chat with him before he goes to sleep. Oh, oh... is he in trouble? Apprehensively he waits for his mom's entrance into his room to probably have a talk to him about the behaviour he exhibited that day. Oh my goodness... here she comes!

But his mom enters into his room with a very pleasant surprise for her little overbusy man. A reward that makes his heart happy and makes him smile as he snuggles down in his bed and says good night.

This book is a great gift to those who have a similar little person living under their roof. It's inspiring, encouraging and offers unconditional love solutions to be shared with your child. The book includes a Note to Parents, Caregivers, and Teachers with more in depth information on ADHD, behaviour management, and helping children focus on the positives. I highly recommend it.

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This was really sweet and would be a great book for many autistic children, or children with ADHD or other executive and/or learning disorders. I loved the idea his mother had for his "good" list, and appreciate the gentle reminder to parents of these children to help them remember that, just because life might be hard sometimes, doesn't mean they shouldn't take the time to slow down and recognize how wonderful they are everyday.

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Usually I’m a big dissenter of the “notes for parents” at the end of books, but I think this one service a real purpose rather than retelling the same things 1000 other books have done. Never once does this book mention hyperactivity, or give some “official” name. It’s just an active kid and his buzzy motor in this body. There are no thoughts that he has to calm this motor, or that someone doesn’t like this motor. Just that it exists. And that at the end his parents don't mention anything they thought he did wrong, or had troubles with, just the good things that may not have been noticed otherwise.

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#My Whirling Twirling Motor#Net Galley

I gave this book a high rating. However, it is not for every classroom nor student. If you have a child with a "whirling, twirling motor" turned on all the time, this is a wonderful book for him and you!

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The child is this book has a Whirling Twirling Motor that makes it hard for him to focus and follow directions. He forgets things, is easily distracted, and often has to be given directions multiple times. He's constantly on the move and making noise. He doesn't like it, but he can't help it. But at the end of the day his parents tell him that they see the good things he does and that he's not all bad. This story is a nice tool to show kids that struggle with a Whirling Twirling Motor that they aren't the only person who has to deal with this, and that they can still be good people.

At the end of the book the author offers suggestions and tips for parents, caregivers, and teachers. The suggestions seem simple and manageable.

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This is a book about a boy who can’t seem to stop the buzzing, whirling and hums inside of him. Throughout the day, they distract him and he gets into trouble. He tries to stay still but the noises are too distracting. That night when his mother comes into his room he is certain that she is going to be mad. Instead, she has a list of all the positive things he did during the day like sharing markers and putting away toys. The boy drifts off to sleep wondering how many good behaviors his mother will be able to find the next day.

What a great book for showing that even if you make mistakes or get into trouble, you still do good things. This boy sounds like he may suffer from ADHD but this is a good book for any child. It shows that even when they think they have nothing to be proud of, others see good in them.

The illustrations are outstanding. They are fun, expressive, and colorful. The boys looks invoke smiles, if not laughs. The colors and bright and truly enhance the story itself.

An outstanding choice for a bedtime book.


I received an ARC from American Psychological Association through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way affects my opinion or rating of this

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‘A person who is appreciated will always do more than expected.’
Charlie feels he has a spinning motor inside of him that makes him do strange things. At home and at school, he just keeps getting distracted and cannot focus on the task. His friends are reluctant to play with him- they all find Charlie’s motor a bit annoying. Charlie forgets things like his lunch and homework. He just cannot turn the motor off. Charlie is a bit apprehensive, when his Mom wants to talk to him. He thinks he must be in trouble. Instead, his Mom shows a list of all the great things Charlie did on that day: helping other people, doing things better and faster than before, organising his toys. His parents are proud of Charlie and it makes him feel loved, appreciated and ready to experience new wonderful things.
The book focuses on a very important aspect of helping a child with ADHD develop appropriate behaviour skills. By noticing things they do right, praising and rewarding them, you give the child a consistent frame of reference and make them feel supported.
Thank you to NetGalley and Magination Press for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion.

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My Whirling Twirling Motor by Merriam Sarcia Saunders focuses on Charlie, a young boy who feels like he is controlled by a spinning motor inside of him. That whirling, twirling motor causes him play when he should be learning at school, accidentally hurt his friends, and run around the table instead of doing his homework. But even with all of his wiggling and buzzing, Charlie’s parents are patient and understanding of his behavior and point all of the good things that Charlie did that day instead of just focusing on his faults.
With simple language and beautiful illustrations, My Whirling Twirling Motor would make a great addition to any library collection.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title. All opinions are my own.

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