Make It All Go Away
Sight… Sound… Smell… Taste… Touch makes five.
Our senses make us feel alive!
But sometimes, mine can feel too much.
They’re like a fire – too hot to touch.
Join Melodie on a busy day out with her family to the market and shopping mall, as her senses get gradually overloaded from all the smells, noises, different textures and bright lights. What can Melodie and her family do to help her feel better again? This story was inspired by my daughter’s own personal experiences of sensory overload when she was a young child. I hope it will help other children and families understand how it feels, from the inside! And I hope it will give children who experience sensory overload the opportunity to discuss and explore their feelings.
Make It All Go Away is written by Helen Docherty and illustrated by Taylor Barron, who also knows what sensory overload feels like. It was published by Moon + Bird in the UK and the US in September 2025.
Order your copy of Make It All Go Away
Reviews:
“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
“Colourful, bright and vibrant illustrations make this book an instant joy, each page draws you in with warmth and positivity. Melodie’s experience of the world around her provides a powerful insight into sensory differences, allowing neurodivergent children and young people to see themselves reflected while helping their peers develop greater understanding and empathy.
Self-regulation is not an easy skill to master, and Melodie’s thoughtful toolkit offers practical, comforting ways to manage sensory overload. It’s a truly valuable resource for children and young people learning to engage with the world around them.
The language is relatable, the tone soft and caring, and the story is beautifully written. Helen has done a superb job of bringing Melodie’s story to life, a story that will support, comfort and empower so many within our community.”
