Drawn Inward

This emotionally resonant picture book, written in the unique cyclical poetic form of a pantoum, gently explores the overwhelming nature of anxiety and other big feelings in young children. When a boy's emotions transform his familiar home into a scary, unfamiliar maze, his father guides him through using his five senses to ground himself. It's a beautiful story about parental support, emotional regulation, and finding inner strength amidst confusion and fear, offering hope and clarity.

In this emotionally impactful pantoum picture book from Daniel Nayeri and Matt Rockefeller, a young boy's father helps him navigate his larger-than-life feelings by engaging his five senses. A fury of feelings. A boy lost in hurt. A father always there for him. When a young boy is asked to clean his room, fear, sadness, shame, confusion, and anger overwhelm him, transforming his house into an unfamiliar maze where monsters lurk. To find his way, he'll need to engage his five senses. Thankfully, his father is there to guide him. Beautifully illustrated and masterfully written as a cyclical poetic form called a pantoum, Drawn Inward explores the complexities of anxiety and how--through the love and support of those around us--we can find the strength to move forward with hope, clarity, and peace.