Sensitive has beautiful, unique illustrations. It's a great book to share with children. I highly recommend adding it to your home, school, or therapy library.

In the picture book Sensitive by Sara Levine and illustrated by Meherdokht Amini (Carlrhoda Books, October 2023), an unnamed girl hears complaints against her about her being too sensitive, “thin skinned,” and over-reactive. In the illustrations, which are done in a variety of media, these words from others slip through her “thin skin” and crowd into the outlines of her body. Her frustration and upset is illustrated by dark colors and pastel pencil scribbles. In the end, she finds she needs to let other people’s words out so she can find space for her own thoughts and for joy within herself. She does so by writing out what people say to her and using those same letters, plus some of her own, to write a new, positive message to herself.

Sensitive emphasizes the impact of other’s words, and shows a young child learning to deal with the mental effects of those words. In the peaceful resolution, the previously harsh pastel pencil textures and colors are replaced by gentle blues, greens, and so forth, with carefully shaped collage papers and intentional pastel pencil strokes. The girl’s outline is no longer filled with the words she’s heard but rather the word “joy.” She has learned to reframe her sensitivity into a positive quality, an important message for young children in this word full of noise and contention. Sensitive would be a strong book for teaching these social-emotional concepts.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance review copy of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you Lerner Publishing Group, Carolrhoda Books ®, and NetGalley for the advanced electronic review copy of this book. This is a great story about a girl who was feeling deeply and was told not to be so sensitive. Both words and illustrations do a wonderful job showing and explaining what to do when faced with negative comments. This is a great addition to any social-emotional collection.

What worked: How I wish this picture book had been around when I was a child! I love how the author shows readers that being sensitive is a superpower.

The illustrations show how in the past and unfortunately even now, some use that word as an insult and a sign of weakness. With each taunt, the colors are dark. The young girl in the story is overwhelmed with all the negative taunts flung her way and I love how she takes those words and turns them into something new. The colors get brighter which symbolizes hope and peace.

As a former first-grade teacher I often heard these cruel taunts directed toward children on the playground during recess and lunch from those who viewed their sensitivity as less than. As a child, I also had these words thrown my way. More than a few times I was told to, "Grow a thicker skin", and even "You're just too sensitive".

What I loved about this picture book is how the author shows children how to redirect those words and look into the positive aspects. Being sensitive is its superpower. It also reinforces that feelings are real. There's strength in this message. One that needs to be out there.

Beautifully illustrated book that has a young girl turn ugly taunts on being sensitive into her own superpower.

I gravitated toward this book as I was previously an “overly sensitive” child myself. I was told often that I was taking things too seriously or personally. As expected, this book was extremely relatable to me! Like the protagonist in the book, I have also learned skills for handling my sensitivity and it was lovely to see this perspective put into words and pictures. I also enjoyed the illustrations, as they portrayed additional feelings and the overwhelming sensitivity in a unique way, using words to complement the pictures. They are truly an artist or designers dream! I loved the variety of typefaces and the almost collage-like feeling of the images. They brought another dimension to the story.

Sensitive by Sara Levine is about a nameless girl repeatedly being told she is too sensitive, she needs to grow thicker skin, or to stop being such a baby. Another thing others say is that her feelings frighten people. It is an excellent point to make to children that their emotions might confuse or frighten others and cause them to say hurtful things because they don't understand them. The book describes how dismal everything people said made the girl feel. The words "jostled and tumbled" inside her; what a perfect depiction! The girl found that if she spent quiet time alone doing the things she enjoyed, it helped. She then discovered that she could write down her emotions, which soothed her further. The book is straightforward and stellar in its portrayal of this issue. The illustrations are superb. The author includes a sweet note at the end explaining more about 'sensitive people' and ideas for coping. There is a link to a lovely activity about the book. This story will help sensitive children, or those with other outside-the-box emotions, to feel that they are also normal and maybe even special people.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lerner Publishing Group for the ARC of this book.

4.5
Not a 5 because I don't think it is a book that everyone needs, but for those that do!
The art is wonderful!
There are so many extention activities, including the art style, I could incorporate with children.
I love how it shows you can take those word meant to hurt and turn them into something powerful and positive that moves you forward.
Also, the tips at the end are wonderful!

It is rare that a children's book can make me cry, but this one did. It touched a part of me that I have "struggled" with all my life [and only recently have realized that this is NOT my struggle, but those around me that choose to see a problem instead of acceptance and compassion] and I wish I had had this when I was small and wondering just what was wrong with me.

I think I was about 5 when I was first told that I was "too sensitive" and that I "couldn't take a joke" and was "too serious" and as I got older, they added that "I was just too much for people" and my ability to NOT make friends became my "super-power" [a huge shout out to those who have not only been my friend, but have STAYED my friend, even in the midst of me being "too much"].

In this book, this little girl struggles with the same things; thankfully, she has been taught tools to help her with this [being alone, writing in a journal, creating, being outside], and she is able to see that she is who she is and all the labels people throw at her DO NOT DEFINE who she is and that it is perfectly okay to be sensitive and caring [and that not everyone gets every single joke and that jokes about who and what you are are NEVER okay] and that is it okay to see the world in a different way than others.

Filled with gorgeous illustrations, a lovely note from the author at the end [who has personal experience with this as well], and tips on how to take a break from all the "noise" and reset [my love of books has always been my "break" and the ability to lose myself in them is what has keep me alive in times of despair over the words of others], which is extremely helpful.

I think all littles [and grownups] who have been in this same situation [and still are], will really benefit from this book and I hope that parents/caregivers who see that they have a highly sensitive child in their midst, will not only buy this book for them, but read it with them, learn to change their words, and help that gorgeous, sensitive, caring child thrive.
Very well done.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sara Levine, Mehrodkht Amini - Illustrator, and Lerner Publishing Group/Carolrhoda Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received an electronic ARC from Lerner Publishing Group through NetGalley.
The text is powerful but the illustrations drive home how much words can affect someone. I love the pages where this child's body is made up of the words and phrases people say to her. This image will stay with me. Readers see this young girl be told she is "too sensitive," etc. As each statement is said, it enters her skin and imprints there. Levine also offers a time apart to process and heal. Readers see her write strong word to empower herself and help her cope when others are hurtful. The final word she keeps shows how much she has healed herself and found her way. I love the author's note and tips for sensitive children at the end of the book.

I chose this book for the sensitive child inside of me that didn't know she was neurodivergent and processed things differently. I wanted to see how someone might explain it to children today. This book didn't disappoint. It's about a young girl who is told she feels too much, is too sensitive and shouldn't be the way she is. What she really needs is time to rest and process the things that happen in her life, and I really loved it. It's validating for the child I was and can definitely help sensitive children today feel seen and understood and maybe help them realize some things that might help them thrive in their environments with their sensitivities.

I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
It is a raw and powerful tale of one girl's feelings and emotions. I liked how the illustrator created the art within the book, like a collage in some way - that was really fascinating. From mean bullies to creating a safe space for herself, the young girl begins to write out how she feels—a strong and emotional view of the behaviors of us all.

Man, I so wish I had this book when I was a child. The validation!
And when I was an adolescent, and a teen, and in my 20's, and 30's.
It's funny to feel so represented in a children's book at over 40 years old.

My husband and I are currently in the VERY LONG process of adoption. Since we first made this decision, I have been filling a bin with books on topics that I feel are important. I will absolutely be purchasing a physical copy of this book to go in there. I mean, what's more important than self acceptance?

I've read this with my big feeling 6 year old multiple times, and she just loved it. Thanks for putting this book out into the world.

Ugh, this book made me ugly cry — in a good way, because I'M SENSITIVE. This is precisely the kind of book I needed as a child. I think this is the kind of book that I would have reread as a comfort piece when feelings feel a bit too big to digest. It's a perfect read for young HSPs, Autistic kids, really any kind of person who need just a bit of help with accepting their hyper-empathetic tendencies and processing emotion. The book is also stunning, the visuals feel like they reach through the page, almost tangible. I will absolutely be rereading this as a sensitive adult who still needs help with feelings sometimes.

First thing I noticed was the amazing artwork, which was created with acrylic, digital painting, collage and pastel pencil, which incorporated the text into the illustration. Gorgeous. As a sensitive child herself, the author realistically portrays the negative effect of constantly being told she was too sensitive. Negative thoughts led to more sensitivity, and soon the negative thoughts left no room for the child's own thoughts. The answer was to transform the negative words into something positive, and she did. Back matter offers more tips for the sensitive child. Important, tender and heartwarming. #Sensitive #NetGalley
Thank you to Carolrhoda Books, an imprint of Lerner Publishing Group, and Netgallet for the digital arc

Sensitive by Sara Levine, illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini, is an absolutely stunning picture book that sends an amazingly positive, much-needed message to sensitive children (and adults!) As an HSP (Highly Sensitive Person), I spent years listening to the negative comments listed in this book, internalizing them until I believed there was something wrong with ME. I am so pleased to be able to share this book with my students and other adults to spread the message that sensitivity is not a defect, but a gift that must be nurtured with alone time, quietude, and self-acceptance.

The artwork in this picture book is as wonderful as the message the book is sharing. The typography is absolutely stunning, and the clever use of the letters in the critical words transforming into the supportive statements is truly genius. I can't get enough of the art in this book and will be seeking out other work by Mehrdokht Amini immediately. Please consider making puzzles and other educational support materials out of the artwork in this book for use with the book in classrooms and at home!

Thank you, thank you, thank you to the author and illustrator and to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this amazing book! I look forward to purchasing this book for all of our school libraries!

This was a beautiful, much-needed response to the common experience of being told you're too sensitive (I know I can relate). The collage style really allowed the author's words to take on a new dimension—I really appreciated how the words actually seeped into the girl's head to show what it feels like when you can't deflect the hurtful accusations.

That being said, I do think there's some room for improvement; I would've liked to see different text treatment becuase the simple font really clashed with the texture of the art. Also, the story itself felt a little abstract, and I think it could've been strengthened by grounding the character in an actual experience of feeling deeply and being told she was too sensitive before zooming out to the generalized experience.

Still, this is a book I would've appreciated having as a kid, so I'm glad it exists for the many sensitive kids (and adults) who will have the chance to read it now.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sara Levine for the eARC! This review is voluntary and my own words.

As the mom of a very sensitive kid with big feelings, I appreciate books like this! Sometimes it takes a different method of delivery (book, song, show) to get these ideas across to young kids in a way that they understand, and I feel like this book does that. Also, the illustrations are very unique and beautiful!

This book is perfect to validate sensitive kids and give them tools that can help. I wasn't impressed with the illustrations but children probably won't care.

Sensitive is a heart wrenching and heartwarming book for kids who are sensitive to the things other people say to them. Between the story and the illustrations, this book does an amazing job at showing how hard it can be for kids to hear negative things about being sensitive, then it does an amazing job of showing kids a possible way for them to deal with their sensitivity, to accept it, and to turn it into something beautiful. Loved this book!

Thanks Netgalley for the opportunity to review this eARC in exchange for my honest review on the book!