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My Distraction Troll Won’t Let Me Focus! is one of my favorite books of 2026. Hannah’s mind is always busy, and she often finds herself “topic hopping” before she has finished her first thought. I recognized myself in her right away.

I loved how Hannah spends a week noticing the problems her distraction troll causes before she meets the focus fairy. The suggestions that follow are practical and useful. As someone with a traumatic brain injury, I know how much it helps to break a big task into smaller steps. I also like to spend just five or ten minutes focusing on one step. Whether I finish it or simply make progress, that time matters. The questions at the end of each chapter make the book even more helpful by inviting readers to think about their own experiences.

The illustrations are colorful, vibrant, and fun. I could picture Hannah doing everything described in the story. Although this book is written for younger readers, I thoroughly enjoyed it at 68. I especially recommend it for children who are growing into schoolwork and other responsibilities. Learning ways to focus can make those tasks feel less like a chore and make life easier, just as Hannah discovers.

I was blessed to receive an advance review copy through NetGalley and the publisher. Thank you to NetGalley and Albatros Media for the opportunity. These opinions are my own and unbiased.

This was a great story for understanding challenges with focus and sustained attention, providing psychoeducation while also promoting self-awareness and understanding/compassion. A must-read for children with ADHD and their caregivers/families. I love that the story took the time to define challenges, create a sense of a tangible problem with the inclusion of the Distraction Troll, and then outlined solutions (including again a tangible helper with the Focus Fairy). The story took it even further by celebrating differences and noting that all brains are wired differently and not all solutions will work for all individuals. A great read that normalizes and celebrates differences, helping children recognize they are not alone in their challenges with focus and attention, while providing meaningful recommendations for improved adaptive functioning and quality of life. I will definitely be adding this story to my counseling bookshelf as well.

What a fun, child appropriate way to explain the concept of distraction and demonstrate why it is detrimental to a successful life. Perfect for all children, not just those with specific diagnoses, Helena Harastova's book is relatable, adorable, and best of all educational!

Hannah and her Distraction Troll are well acquainted, but not the best of friends. Her Troll keeps Hannah from accomplishing her goals and sometimes frustrates her and those around her. Harastova addresses Hannah's concerns and asks her readers great questions that can lead to thought-provoking insights and suggestions that tweak behaviors into successful task completion rates. From mental hopping, tuning out, losing track of time, and switching focus topics, Harastova identifies areas children might struggle in and gives helpful tips to counterbalance the distraction trolls at work. I loved the idea of training your brain and suggested exercises to strengthen that muscle (neural pathway in big kid terms). What a fun way to practice and develop focus in a stress-free, untimed environment! Breaking bigger tasks into smaller boxes to check off as completed helps kids stay detail oriented, move smoothly from one part of the job to the next without forgetting a step, and excited to cross the next box off! And thank you for including how nutritious foods and exercise can help center the mind and keep distraction trolls at bay too! Sugar highs and the following lows can be just as detrimental as the Distraction Trolls in our lives!

I might have thought of my sweet, 33 year old friend while reading this book 😂 I can't wait to talk with her about the suggestions because limiting distraction and building focus isn't limited to just kids! Adults need these tips too!

Thank you to Albatros Media and NetGalley for this ARC!

I received an advance reader copy of My Distraction Troll Won’t Let Me Focus! through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a relatable and encouraging book for children who struggle with distraction, losing track of time or staying focused on a task. Turning distraction into a mischievous troll is a clever approach, as it gives children a fun and easy-to-understand way to talk about what is happening when their attention keeps wandering.

Hannah’s experiences at school and home will feel familiar to many young readers, and the guidance she receives offers practical strategies without ever feeling preachy. I especially liked that the book focuses on helping children understand their minds and feel more confident, rather than making them feel as though they are doing something wrong.

The playful storytelling and illustrations make the subject accessible, while the psychologist-backed tips add real value for children, parents and educators. A thoughtful addition to the series and a useful resource for helping children build focus, organisation and self-awareness.

Little one (and myself) found this such a cute and relatable story. Nicely illustrated. Had the little on laughing and taking time to look through the pages. Encouraged discussion about distractions both at home and in school settings, and how he personally can manage it to refocus. Recommended read at home and as a library book!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book as an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

My Distraction Troll Won't Let Me Focus by Helena Harastová is an absolute masterpiece for helping children—and let’s be honest, adults too—understand and manage their focus. The concept of turning everyday distractions into a whimsical, relatable "troll" is brilliant. It gives kids a tangible, non-judgmental way to visualize their wandering attention without feeling like they are doing something wrong.

The illustrations are vibrant and incredibly engaging, perfectly capturing the playful energy of the story. Harastová’s writing is gentle, humorous, and highly accessible, keeping young readers completely hooked from start to finish.

What makes this book a true five-star read is its practicality. It doesn't just name the problem; it weaves clever, actionable strategies directly into the narrative. It gives families a shared language to talk about mindfulness and concentration in a way that feels like a fun game rather than a chore. This is a must-have addition to every home, classroom, and school library.

My Distraction Troll Won’t Let Me Focus is a fun, relatable, and engaging read that does a great job of turning the very real struggle of distraction into something playful and approachable. The concept of the “distraction troll” is clever and gives readers a memorable way to think about those little things that pull us away from what we’re trying to accomplish.

My Distraction Troll Won't Let Me Focus! by Helena Harastova and illustrated by Lucia Dercalikova is an adorably illustrated book about distraction and the tools we can use to regain our focus. I love that this book provides support for both the child and their adult(s). It is written to instruct children, but it also outlines a framework for their families and teachers. The book is rather dense for distraction-prone kids, but it is organized into 2-page sections that could be read in chunks.

For a child who struggles with distraction, there is research-based, actionable advice in this book and the delightful illustrations connect to the text and help keep kids engaged. With adult guidance, I think this book is an excellent resource for children. The “Tips for working on your focus” at the end are practical and in-line with expert advice. It is an age-appropriate version of the tips and tools I use with my own high school students (and myself!).

Having said that, I do think the format may confuse some people. It is formatted as a picture book, but the complexity of the text fits the suggested age of 6-9. I think a lot of people associate picture books with younger children and might go into this book with misaligned expectations. To me, this book should be considered more of an illustrated guide and resource than a children’s picture book.

Thank you to Albatros Media and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

My Distraction Troll Won’t Let Me Focus! by Helena Harastova is definitely a book for slightly older children, as it has longer sentences and more text. I absolutely loved the idea of describing distraction as a troll. Honestly, I might start naming my own distraction troll. Any ideas for a name?

I really liked how the book shows different scenarios, making it clear that distraction can appear at different times and in different places. The questions throughout the book are a great addition, but the best part was definitely the section on how to help your troll get less distracted. I love, love, love a book that does not only explain what something is, but also gives children a mini-guide to work with.

My daughter was intrigued by this book. I thought it gave very good examples of the issues kids can face. The illustration worked well for the story.

When picking up this book, I had assumed that it was going to talk about all the ways the Distraction Troll was affecting the character. And it did, but there was so much more to the story then that.
Through out the book, we see the character learning how the Distraction Troll is affecting her. And then she works on how to fix it.
The book walks the reader through issues, while also giving the reader moments to think, reflect, and answer.
I like that the story also goes into detail on how the reader can help themselves, so that the Distraction Troll does not mess with them to.

My Distraction Troll Won't Let Me Focus!
by Helena Haraštová, illustrated by Lucia Derčalíková (2026)
Keep Your Rascals Under Control #2
32-page Hardcover
ARC courtesy of Albatros Media and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Genre: Juvenile Nonfiction, Health & Daily Living

Movie Rating Equivalent: PG, Y-7, Ages 6-9

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🫨😵‍💫🙄🎯🧠👀

[Review Title for Retail Sites: Incredibly Relatable, Practical, and Helpful!]

My Distraction Troll Won't Let Me Focus! drew me in with its title, but this isn't just a book I would have loved to read as a kid—it’s the exact story I needed today. Procrastination is definitely something I struggle with, but distraction is its twin, and the tips in this book were so helpful. I know they would be beneficial to any child who struggles with hyper-focusing on a new interest, activity-hopping, or time blindness.
​When the author described Hannah's typical day, it felt like looking into a mirror. Every morning, I wake up around 5:00 a.m., and before I know it, it's 7:00 a.m.—and I've either spent that entire time reading or somehow preparing to read without ever actually starting! It can be so frustrating, especially on appointment days.
​This story is incredibly relatable. The illustrations were great, and the detailed solutions were wonderfully simple yet effective. I loved how they broke everything down into baby steps without causing information overload. Even though memory isn't something I personally struggle with, I'd love to read the book in the series on that topic—I think it would be great for my daughter to check out, even as an adult.
​This series is a much-needed addition to elementary classroom libraries, and I truly hope the author writes more!

​Recommend to others: Yes! This is the perfect gift for anyone who struggles with distraction or ADHD.

Keep Your Rascals Under Control
1. My Memory Goblin Is Making Me Forget! (2026)
2. My Distraction Troll Won't Let Me Focus! (2026)

My Distraction Troll Won’t Let Me Focus is a fun and engaging children’s book that turns everyday distractions into something kids can easily understand. The playful story, paired with practical, psychologist-backed strategies, makes it both entertaining and educational. A great resource for helping children build focus and confidence in a supportive, age-appropriate way.

I might be three decades older than the target audience, but I still managed to relate to (oh boy, did I relate) and learn from Hannah. I especially loved that the narration keeps things simple, while never simplifying or diminishing the issues Hannah faces. As a child whose ADHD went undiagnosed, I would’ve appreciated a book like this in my school or home library, and as an elementary school teacher now, I hope to bring it into my classroom so my students can see themselves in Hannah and discover helpful tools to keep their own distraction trolls in check. The illustrations were wonderful as well!

Thank you to NetGalley and Albatros Media for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.