Make it All Go Away
by Helen Docherty
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Pub Date Sep 30 2025 | Archive Date Not set
Moon + Bird | Moon & Bird
Talking about this book? Use #MakeitAllGoAway #NetGalley. More hashtag tips!
Description
But sometimes mine can feel too much.
They’re like a fire – too hot to touch.
When Melodie’s family surprises her with a day out, she REALLY doesn’t want to go.
The market is SO SMELLY, the bathrooms are SO LOUD, the food is always SO MUSHY, and the lights are SO BRIGHT. What was supposed to be fun is actually making her feel . . . stressed out. Can she block out the things that bother her and end her day in a calmer place?
Inspired by Helen’s daughter's experiences of sensory overload, this story will resonate with both neurodivergent young readers who want to learn to self-soothe when they feel overwhelmed, as well as the communities eager to better support them.
Includes an informative spread on key terms such as masking, stims and sensory overload.
Advance Praise
"Make it All Go Away is such a wonderful and much-needed book to help educate children and parents in gaining more compassion and understanding for those with sensory overload, and what they experience on a day to day basis. The back matter is very helpful in further understanding of the words used to help children in dealing with sensitivity issues. The rhythmic text and colorful illustrations make this a fun read and would be a great addition to your social-emotional learning book collection!
– Phyllis Harris, Author-Illustrator of The Gift Shop Bear
"Thoughtfully told and timely, Make It All Go Away provides profound insight and encourages empathy, all through playful prose and rich, captivating illustrations. I have no doubt it will bring encouragement, hope, and helpful information to countless families.”
– Allie Millington, author of US bestseller Olivetti
"A lovely and needed book! The beautiful, soft artwork and expressive rhymes resonated deeply with this neurodivergent reader. Docherty eloquently evokes a child's world of sensory overwhelm.”
– Sally J. Pla, ALA-award-winning author of The Fire, The Water, and Maudie McGinn and neurodiversity advocate
"This is a beautiful story that gently explores what sensory overload is and how to mitigate it. I can think of so many uses for Make it All Go Away from helping neurodiverse children understand why they might experience the world around them differently, to helping their neurotypical peers (and grown ups) gain more insight and compassion into sensory overload."
– Naomi Jones, award-winning author of Thunderboots and The Perfect Fit
"With kid-friendly text and vibrant art, Make It All Go Away thoughtfully captures a child’s experience with sensory overload. I especially appreciate how the main character takes stock of coping techniques that are useful to her and acknowledges that the masking of emotions and behaviors generally leads to even more stress and exhaustion. This is a validating book for anyone with sensory processing challenges and an illuminating one for family members, educators, and peers."
– Lisa Varchol Perron, psychotherapist and children's author of My Love for You
Available Editions
EDITION | Other Format |
ISBN | 9781917194075 |
PRICE | $18.95 (USD) |
PAGES | 32 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews

A heartwarming and informative story about sensory overload and managing your feelings.
I really liked this picture book, and I think that it is a really important topic that I haven't seen frequently addressed with such clear and precise language in an elementary appropriate book. Both kids and adults alike can experience sensory overload for a variety of reasons, and having books like this that discuss and normalize the feelings of these experiences is really important. This book could be a great social emotional tool to have as a read aloud when discussing calming strategies, and to start discussions with students around empathy towards others who may stim. The back matter of this book was used really well, and add to the ability of this book to be used as a social emotional tool. The illustrations are also super colorful, and almost add to the feeling of overwhelm that the main character is feeling throughout her day.

This is a GORGEOUS, incredible, new picture book about Melodie, a young neurodiverse child going about her day and the many things that cause her sensory overload. Told with rhymes and beautiful illustrations featuring a number of diverse characters, this story touches upon stimming, masking and different coping strategies that help her turn difficult days into better ones.
HIGHLY recommended for parents with neurodivergent children. Especially helpful is the notes section at the end of the book that explains a little more about the various aspects of sensory overload. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!! A MUST read and necessary addition for school/public libraries!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic copy to read in exchange for an honest review.
This is a very sweet way to help young kids recognize sensory overload in themselves and others. They use positive language and provide real examples of when and why someone may experience sensory overload as well as ways (stims) in which some people might calm themselves. As a parent and a kindergarten teacher this will be a welcome book for home and school.

Books like these make me realize we need mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors. This book is for all the kids with sensory issues and neurodivergence and everyone without. Great suggestions and examples of coping strategies. I like that words such as "stims," "mask," "sensory overload" - they are also explained in the back of the book. Female presenting main character with brown skin.

A vibrantly illustrated and beautifully gentle look at how sensory overload can affect someone in their day-to-day life. We explore each of the senses and how seemingly simple sensations, from the smell of fish to a bright fluorescent light, can completely change the mood of a neurodivergent kiddo. But, as the author shows us, it doesn't have to completely ruin their day! By understanding her triggers/reactions, stimming, and taking breaks, our young protagonist is able to more easily cope with the overwhelming sensations and focus on all the things that *do* make her feel happy and comfortable.
Whether the reader experiences sensory overload or not, this is a great way to encourage empathy with the struggles of others -- even if they seem barely noticeable to someone else!
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

A book about Melodie, who experiences sensory overload. It goes through what it feels like to her and how she copes. As someone who experiences sensory overload, I really appreciated this book! I wish this had been around when I was a child because it would have helped me understand things so much better. Definitely would recommend!

This cute book is a great way to explain sensory sensitivity to all types of audience, from neurodivergent kids trying to find the words to explain themselves to people around these kids who need a connection to the specific feelings. The artwork is lively as well.
All in all a great read and I hope, as it's published, it reaches the tiny sensory seekers and avoiders to help them see themselves on it.

Five senses can be great for many, but sometimes they are overwhelming for others. Melodie and her family go to the market and the mall. This causes Melodie’s senses into overload. Stimming helps distract her and helps to make her feel calm. Masking doesn’t help her at all, just exhausted. Music, a special blanket, a fluffy jumper to stroke. All of these things help Melodie feel calm and turn her day into a better day.
This is a great book explains how the 5 senses can overload some kids and how stimming can help. I like how it talks about both stimming and masking. The note at the end is simple and easy to understand. I also like how it gives other resources to check out. This is one I definitely need for my classroom!

A fantastically vibrant picture book that takes the neurodivergent experience of overstimulation and stimming and turns it into a heartfelt story that will be relatable to all children.
The diverse characters and insight into the family's cultural traditions is also a highlight and adds a lot of interest to the illustrations, with lots of engaging details to find and discuss.
The rhyming narrative also adds rhythm and helps to convey the emotions the protagonist is feeling.
Perfect for early PSHE learning goals as well as just being a extremely readable story for children and their adults to share.

This book is so important. As a neurodivergent person and as a neurodivergent teacher, this book means so much to me. I am so grateful for this book being made. Thank you. I can’t wait to bring it into class. I can’t imagine how many children (and adults) will benefit from this. Definitely going straight on the shelf.

“Make it All Go Away” by Helen Docherty is a heartfelt and accessible story about a young girl navigating moments of sensory overload. I especially appreciated how each page highlights a different sense, making it an excellent resource for introducing the five senses in an elementary health class. It would also be a valuable read-aloud for the start of the school year, helping to foster classroom discussions about individuality and the different ways people experience the world. For families, this book offers a gentle and relatable way to begin conversations about neurodivergence with siblings. As a mother of a child who I suspect may be high-functioning ASD, I found reading this book aloud with him opened important discussions about his own sensory experiences. “Make it All Go Away” is a truly important book that reassures children they are not alone, and I highly recommend it for school libraries and classroom collections.
Thank you to NetGallery and Moon + Bird for an advanced copy of this ebook in exchange for my honest review.

In this book we follow Melodie through her bad day learn about all the things that overwhelm her senses. Readers will be able to empathize with her struggles of sensory overload. This is contrasted in the second part of the book where we see the strategies Melodie uses counters her overwhelmed senses. Readers, especially neurotypical readers may gain better understanding and empathy for their neurodivergent friends and classmates, while everyone can take away skills to help calm overwhelmed senses.
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