Loving Pieces Books
Navigating Autism Together Through Social Emotional Learning
CHILDREN'S BOOK
Autism: My Invisible Backpack
Discovering Emotions, Masking, and the Joy of Being Seen
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.9/5 (Based on Amazon reviews)
Does Your Child Carry an Invisible Weight?
Many autistic children spend their days masking, pretending to be okay, hiding their real feelings, absorbing others’ emotions. By the time they get home, they’re exhausted from carrying an invisible backpack full of everything they couldn’t express.
This book helps children:
- Understand what’s in their “invisible backpack”.
- Recognize when masking is exhausting them.
- Learn that therapy is a safe space, not a place to be “fixed”.
- Discover tools to unpack their feelings with trusted adults.
Join Adrián on a mountain hike that becomes a journey of self-discovery.
When Adrián feels his invisible backpack getting heavier with big emotions, literal thinking, and the exhausting work of masking, his family helps him explore what it means to carry feelings, both his own and others’. Through the metaphor of a mountain trail and a peaceful lake, this story addresses hyper-empathy, masking, therapy as a safe space, and the tools that help autistic children navigate their inner world.
More than just a story about autism, it’s a guide for understanding emotional regulation, the cost of masking, and the healing power of being truly seen and accepted.
Flip the pages and take a peek inside the book!
Why This Book is Essential for Autistic Children
The Invisible Backpack
A powerful metaphor that helps children understand when their emotional load feels too heavy and how to lighten it with support.
Masking & Authenticity
Adrián learns about the “mask” he wears to fit in and the exhausting effort it requires. He discovers the healing relief of unmasking, taking off his shoes, letting his hands flap, and finding safe spaces where he can be himself.
Hyper-Empathy
When Guillermo gets hurt, Adrián feels the pain in his own body. This explores how autistic children often carry others’ emotions and how to sort through what belongs to them.
Literal Thinking
From “burning out” to “cat got your tongue,” Adrián’s brain creates pictures of what words actually say, showing how literal processing works and why it’s not wrong, just different.
Therapy as Safety
Berta, Adrián’s therapist since 17 months old, represents therapy not as “fixing” but as a safe lake where heavy feelings can be sorted and understood. She teaches him how to open his invisible backpack, separate his own emotions from others’, and unload what doesn’t belong to him, showing therapy as a place of growth, not repair.
Practical Tools
Adrián learns concrete, useable strategies for when his invisible backpack feels overwhelming: breathing techniques like blowing bubbles, grounding exercises like finding five specific things around him, and identifying his safe people who accept him authentically. These aren’t abstract concepts but real tools children can practice and use in their daily emotional regulation.
Real autism experiences explained with empathy and understanding.
Social Emotional Learning - SEL Competencies
Self-Awareness
Recognizing emotions, understanding masking, identifying what’s in their “backpack”.
Self-Management
Learning to unpack emotions, using breathing techniques, knowing when to seek help.
Social Awareness
Understanding hyper-empathy (feeling others’ emotions).
Relationship Skills
Identifying safe people, understanding therapy as supportive relationship.
Kids love it but ... Who Else Needs This Book?
Essential reading for everyone supporting autistic children
Parents & Caregivers
Understand your child’s internal experience, recognize signs of masking, and learn how to create truly safe spaces. Includes detailed parent guide with real strategies.
Teachers & Educators
Recognize when students are masking, understand literal thinking patterns, and create classroom environments where autistic children can be authentic.
Therapists & Counselors
Use the invisible backpack metaphor in sessions, understand masking’s toll on autistic kids, and validate therapy as a safe space for them to grow.
Extended Family & Friends
Learn why autistic children might seem “fine” in public but struggle at home, and understand how to be part of their support network.
Available in Spanish, English and Catalan
Get your copy today: Autism: My Invisible Backpack Available on Amazon worldwide.
FREE Invisible Backpack Toolkit Included
This FREE toolkit helps autistic children recognize their feelings, reduce the stress of masking, and create safe spaces for emotional growth. With hands-on activities, creative exercises, and printable resources, your child will have tools to unpack their invisible backpack and feel truly seen.
My Invisible Backpack: Making Feelings Visible
Kids often carry heavy feelings without knowing how to explain them. This activity lets your child build their own physical “invisible backpack” and fill it with colorful pieces that represent their emotions, making feelings something they can see, name, and share.
A 34-page FREE printable digital workbook where kids build their own “invisible backpack” and fill it with colorful pieces that represent emotions.
Each activity is designed to be done together with a trusted adult a parent, caregiver, or therapist, so that children not only enjoy the exercises but also understand the important ideas each one explores.
Who Am I Behind the Mask?
Many autistic children spend the day masking to fit in. In this creative activity, your child draws and compares “Mask Me” and “Real Me,” helping them understand when they’re masking, who helps them feel safe enough to unmask, and what it feels like to be their authentic self.
A 45-page FREE creative digital workbook that guides kids to draw and compare “Mask Me” and “Real Me.” Adults help explain what masking means, when kids might use it, and how to recognize the people and places where they can safely be themselves.
Each activity is designed to be done together with a trusted adult a parent, caregiver, or therapist, so that children not only enjoy the exercises but also understand the important ideas each one explores.
Therapy: Your Safe Space
Therapy can feel confusing if kids don’t understand why they go. This activity reframes therapy as their unique activity a safe place with safe people where they can take off the mask, lighten their invisible backpack, and share freely with someone who truly listens.
A 30-page FREE supportive digital workbook that reframes therapy as their activity, a safe place with safe people where they can take off the mask, unpack their backpack, and share openly. Includes fun exercises to build trust and confidence in the therapy process.
Each activity is designed to be done together with a trusted adult a parent, caregiver, or therapist, so that children not only enjoy the exercises but also understand the important ideas each one explores.
Guest Contributor: Clara Sánchez
Clara is a designer and therapist who combines creativity and therapeutic tools to help children express themselves through art and play. She has contributed a special activity to the Invisible Backpack Toolkit, designed to spark imagination and emotional growth.
Activity included with the toolkit:
Let’s Learn to Recognize Emotions!
Infinity Breathing Exercise
Big feelings can make the invisible backpack feel heavy. Infinity Breathing teaches children a calming tool they can use anywhere by tracing an infinity loop while breathing deeply helping them recharge and feel more grounded.
A short, powerful practice to help children recharge by tracing an infinity loop while breathing deeply teaching them calm they can carry anywhere.
Each activity is designed to be done together with a trusted adult a parent, caregiver, or therapist, so that children not only enjoy the exercises but also understand the important ideas each one explores.
Get your copy today: Autism: My Invisible Backpack Available on Amazon worldwide.
Testimonials
What Our Readers Are Saying
We’re grateful for the support of our amazing community! Here’s what parents, caregivers, and educators have to say about Loving Pieces Books and how our stories are making a difference.
We’d love to hear how our books have impacted you and your family.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rated 4.9/5 on Amazon
“This book finally helped me understand why my son comes home exhausted after ‘good’ days at school. The masking section was eye-opening, now I know how to help him truly relax at home.”
“I use the invisible backpack concept with all my autistic kids now. It gives them language for experiences they couldn’t explain before. The parent guide is invaluable for family sessions.”
“As a teacher, this book helped me recognize when my students are working too hard to appear ‘normal.’ I’ve created mask-free moments in my classroom based on these insights.”
More Books in the Loving Pieces Series
Autism: Calming the Chaos!
When Adrián’s sensory system gets overloaded, he learns that his big feelings are valid and his body’s responses make sense.
This story reframes meltdowns as communication and offers practical tools for self-regulation, without shame.
Autism: My Invisible Backpack
Adrián discovers his amazing “invisible backpack,” filled with strengths, emotions, and coping tools.
A gentle introduction to emotional awareness and regulation, helping autistic kids name feelings and understand their inner world.
Autism: Confidence Starts Here
Join Adrián as he learns to recognize what makes him authentically autistic, his detailed thinking, honest communication, and unique perspective.
A story that builds self-awareness and self-acceptance, perfect for home reading, classroom inclusion, and therapy sessions focused on identity and confidence.
Autism: This is How I Party
Adrián loves parties but needs a plan for the sensory experience.
This story helps kids prepare emotionally and socially for new events, building confidence and authentic participation.
Autism: A New School Year
Adrián prepares for a new school year using visual schedules and sensory plans.
This story builds emotional readiness and problem-solving, showing families how to navigate change successfully.