Sprout and the Storm Inside: A Spectrum Sprouts Story

Spectrum Sprouts is a gentle, sensory-friendly picture book series that helps autistic and neurodivergent children understand their big feelings and learn simple tools to feel safe, calm, and confident.

Each story follows Sprout, a small seedling with a big heart, and their feeling-friends—Whirl, Boom, Buzz, and Softie—as they explore what happens inside the body during overwhelm, worry, excitement, and change. Instead of shaming emotions, the books show children that feelings are visitors with messages, not problems to hide.

Through warm, pastel artwork and rhythmic, comforting text, Spectrum Sprouts teaches kids how to:

• Notice body clues like tight chests, fluttery tummies, and buzzy hands

• Use calm-down tools such as deep breathing, fidgets, counting, and quiet spaces

• Understand that all feelings are okay, even the big and stormy ones

• Build self-compassion and confidence instead of fear or shame

Created by peer support specialist and author Sarah O’Neill, the series is designed for ages 3–8 and is ideal for parents, therapists, teachers, and caregivers who want stories that honor neurodivergent kids and give them practical, affirming strategies they can really use.

Spectrum Sprouts: growing emotional regulation, one gentle story at a time.