Loving Pieces Books
Navigating Autism Together Through Social Emotional Learning
Lighten your child’s invisible backpack with fun, practical activities that make emotions easier to understand.
The Invisible Backpack Toolkit
This FREE toolkit is designed to help 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 the tools to unpack their invisible backpack and feel truly seen.
What's inside the toolkit
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 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 creative 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 supportive 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:
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.
Why You Need This Toolkit
Understand Emotions
Helps children name and visualize their feelings using fun metaphors and activities.
Ease Masking Stress
Gives kids safe ways to take off the mask and practice being their authentic selves.
Create Safe Spaces
Shows families and children how to set up environments and relationships where kids feel supported.
Practical, Flexible, and Family-Tested
Includes tips and tools so parents can guide, reflect, and celebrate progress alongside their child.
Testimonials
What Parents & Teachers Say
"The Invisible Backpack idea helped us finally explain emotions in a way my child understands.”
I use the activities in class to help students express how they’re feeling, it works beautifully.”
“It’s practical, visual, and truly relatable for both kids and adults.”
Does your child struggle to explain their feelings or come home exhausted from masking all day?
This toolkit gives children language, visuals, and safe practices to unpack their invisible backpack, making emotions lighter and more manageable for the whole family.
▸ Is this toolkit right for my child?
→ Yes! Designed for autistic children ages 6–12, with adaptable activities for different communication styles and sensory needs.
▸ Do I need to buy anything?
→ No—100% free. Just click the button below!
▸ Can schools/therapists use this?
→ Absolutely! Share with your child’s support team.
Collect them all!
Engaging Stories for Every Child's Journey
Autism: My Invisible Backpack
Meet Adrián as he discovers his amazing ‘invisible backpack’, a powerful metaphor that helps explain the invisible baggage we all carry. Through his journey, the book explores masking and literal thinking in ways children can understand. It also helps explain these concepts while offering tools for gently unmasking and using therapy as a safe space to do so.
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 perfect sense. This story reframes ‘meltdowns’ as communication, teaching regulation strategies that honor autistic nervous systems. Essential for parents, teachers creating sensory-friendly classrooms, and therapists working on self-regulation without shame.
Autism: Confidence Starts Here
Join Adrián as he celebrates everything that makes him authentically autistic, his detailed thinking, his honest communication, his unique perspectives. This isn’t about building confidence despite being autistic, but because of it. Perfect for home reading, classroom inclusion lessons, and therapy sessions focused on identity affirmation and self-advocacy development.
Autism: Back to School
Adrián prepares for a new school year by creating visual schedules, meeting his new teacher, and planning sensory breaks. A practical guide disguised as a story, showing families how to prepare for transitions while giving teachers insight into what autistic students need to thrive. Includes discussion questions for classroom use and family preparation strategies.
Party Time for Adrián!
Adrián loves parties and wants to celebrate with friends, he just needs to plan ahead for the sensory experience. This story shows how autistic children can fully participate in social events with the right preparation, not by changing who they are. Ideal for teaching neurotypical children about inclusion and helping parents, teachers, and party hosts create genuinely welcoming celebrations.