AWARENESS TOUR: In My Mind by Carmen Hernández, Illustrated by HV Helmut - REVIEW + GIVEAWAY!

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers. 

Today, we're joining The Children's Book Review for an AWARENESS TOUR already in progress. The star is a new storybook aiming to shine a light on the struggles that can have some kiddos entering the school arena...a little more than on edge. It's a big BIG world out there, and a proper introduction, along with someone in your corner, never hurt. Ladies and gents, today's blog tour guest and ebook of choice is...

In My Mind

Written by Carmen Hernández

Illustrated by HV Helmut

Ages: 3-8 | 38 Pages

9798891382909

Mascot Kids! (2026)

About the book...

 Starting school is both terrifying and exciting for Camilo. He wonders what his new teacher and classmates will think of him. But, as the day unfolds, Camilo has a hard time fitting in. The classroom feels overwhelming, and he battles nerves that make it hard to focus or speak up. He gets distracted, daydreaming about far-away places, and sometimes he forgets that he is in school altogether. But as the day goes on, Camilo discovers unexpected joys.

This heartwarming story captures the challenges of a child with ADHD who has to navigate a busy first day at school.

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Bookshop

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The story takes readers, young and young at heart, on that special first day trip to school. It's scary. It's exciting. It's a whole jumble of feelings and new experiences that can throw anyone for a loop, but for kiddos learning to handle additional challenges like ADHD, it can present a minefield of confusion and uncertainty. Comparing one's self to others is natural, but when it doesn't seem to add up the same way, it can be a heavy hit to a person's growing confidence. Stories like this can help. 

It normalizes the newness and oddness of the situation. It let's them see themselves in others and grow in the knowledge that they are not alone. It helps them, and in turn helps the adults in their lives, celebrate them for who they are while learning how to best help them on their educational journey. No one comes into this world with all the answers, and it does take a village to raise a tiny soul nowadays. The more widespread the message, the better we are all in the end to help each other become the best version of ourselves. Combine the inspiring message with the lovely illustrations, and I can see this story being reached for time and time again. 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carmen Y. Hernández was born in Bogotá, Colombia, and moved to the United States at the age of five. Carmen is the first in her family of five to earn a master’s degree in general education. With fifteen years of experience as an educator, she has witnessed a growing number of students with undiagnosed cases of dyslexia, ADHD, autism, and intermittent explosive disorder (IED).

Through this book, Carmen hopes to raise awareness among a new generation of parents about the increasing prevalence of these disorders and the importance of understanding and supporting children with these challenges.

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(Mascot Books)

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GIVEAWAY

Enter for the chance to win one of three hardcover copies of In My Mind by Carmen Hernández, a thoughtful story that captures the ups and downs of a child’s first day of school.

In My Mind: Book Giveaway

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Special thanks to Bianca of The Children's Book Review for the chance to bring this title to you and for the ecopy for review! (THANKS!) This post is sponsored by Carmen Hernández. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view. For more information on this author, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links above. Be sure to check out the rest of the tour for more bookish fun!

TOUR SCHEDULE

Monday, February 2, 2026

The Children’s Book Review

Book Review of In My Mind

Tuesday, February 3, 2026

The Starlit Path

Book Review of In My Mind

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

@nissa_the.bookworm

Instagram Post about In My Mind

Thursday, February 5, 2026

Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

Book Review of In My Mind

Friday, February 6, 2026

@avainbookland

Instagram Post about In My Mind

Monday, February 9, 2026

The Fairview Review

Book Review of In My Mind

Tuesday, February 10, 2026

icefairy’s Treasure Chest

Book Review of In My Mind

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Crafty Moms Share

Book Review of In My Mind

Thursday, February 12, 2026

Un Viaje en Libro

Book Activity for In My Mind

Friday, February 13, 2026

The Little Free Library Mystery Network

Instagram Post about In My Mind

Monday, February 16, 2026

Froggy Read Teach

Instagram Post about In My Mind

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

@bored_military_wife

Instagram Post about In My Mind

Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Lisa’s Reading

Book Review of In My Mind

Thursday, February 19, 2026

Confessions of a Book Addict

Book Spotlight on In My Mind

Friday, February 20, 2026

Country Mamas With Kids

Book Review of In My Mind

Monday, February 23, 2026

A Blue Box Full of Books

Instagram Post about In My Mind

Tuesday, February 24, 2026

@meghenslittlelibrary

Instagram Post about In My Mind

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

@tinks_books_and_fosters

Instagram Post about In My Mind

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

Easy as 1, 2, C: Counting to D by Kate Scott

Hi there!

Welcome back to THE online book haven for bookish folks round the globe, Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Okay, so perhaps I’m exaggerating a bit there with my description but really, we live in a world where what we see, or are presented (for the most part) is absolute truth.  Who wouldn’t want to present the BEST image of themselves, or their own little virtual home, to the world?  Case in point made and on display in today’s chosen title.

We’re heading into the YA zone with a story that I feel will spark conversations.  It tackles a subject very prevalent in our society that’s hard to manage on ones own, and can leave those living with it feeling ostracized, alone or like they should be ashamed of who they are.  Grant it, I’m not speaking from experience (completely at least) but one can imagine the dividing lines; whether actually there or merely perceived, is another story.  Here, we see them emphasized not only for dramatic flair but to shed some light on the issue as well as ways that it can be combated.  Have I got your attention?  Are you curious to find out more?  Let’s continue then.  Today’s book of choice is…

Counting to D

By

Kate Scott

9780989594707

EB Elliott Books

About the book…

The kids at Sam’s school never knew if they should make fun of her for being too smart or too dumb.  That’s what it means to be dyslexic:  smart, and illiterate.  Sam is sick of it.  So when her mom gets a job in a faraway city, Sam decides not to tell anyone about her little illiteracy problem.  Without her paradox of reputations, she falls in with a new group of highly competitive friends who call themselves the Brain Trust.  When she meets Nate, her charming valedictorian lab partner, she declares her new reality perfect.  But in order to keep it that way, she has to keep her learning disability a secret.  The books are stacked against her and so are the lies.  Sam’s got to get the grades, get the guy, and get it straight – without being able to read.

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Can you imagine?
Not being able to read.

We’re not talking about just at an early age either.

We’re talking elementary school, middle school, high school…and beyond.

To have the desire to climb into the stories within the pages, but not the ability to satiate that need.  To have the requirement thrust upon you to study a particular chapter, or research with listed references a topic covered in the text, without the ability to access it like most others with a glance, a turn of the page, and a stroke of the pen 

As an avid reader myself, it seems unfathomable and yet people of all ages live with this limitation every day.  I hate to even say “limitation” because it’s not something they’ve imposed on themselves but a wiring within them that just happened to develop a particular way.  Despite it not being the ideal diagnosis for anyone, there is an amazing side to it as well.  It’s often said (or at least I’ve been told) when one door closes, another opens.  Though the ability to read and read well may not come easily (or at all in some cases), quite often those with this door shut are afforded an uncanny ability to process and handle numbers, and sciences.  I mean in seriously scary good ways too!  The consistency seems to be the key, how there is no “maybe this” or “maybe that”, whereas words can be fickle sometimes ( *hugs words* -- *comforts words’ feelings*  ^_^). 

The way Sam’s world is portrayed allows us to see the remarkable aspect of it all, as well as that which holds her back.  That struggle to balance the two sides of herself is what drives her to hide that which she feels unable to change.  She outs herself to some, forming connections she feels secure in but when she has other designs in mind for her latest endeavors, things get a bit uncertain.  After all, once you’ve shown you’re greatest secrets and deepest fears in friendship to someone you’ve placed on a pedestal, how do you take the next step up?  Sam has her work cut out for her but after all she’s overcome, circumvented and managed-to-avoid-without-tipping-most-off in her life thus far….I think she’s up to the challenge.

In conclusion, a Young Adult read for a generation use to taking matters by the horns yet still sheltering their faults from the spotlight in fear of rejection.  It’s not a warm and fuzzy blanket of “everything-will-be-okay”, but it does show how with time, with effort, with insistence and a “never-say-die” attitude, strides can be made to better their world’s, both inside and out.  The characters are easy to relate to, the story (for the most part) feels real; you’re typical YA expectations met.  However, though I found the story appealing, I also enjoyed learning more about dyslexia and some of the therapies employed to assist in overcoming the obstacles it lays before them.  It even had me contemplating a few things from my own school days regarding concepts taught versus actually comprehended and the ability to use them to this day.  Rather eye opening indeed….and combine that with the enjoyable read, well folks, there is only one conclusion there.  We have a winner.

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 About the author…

Kate Scott lives in the suburbs outside Portland, Oregon with her husband Warren.  Kate was diagnosed with dyslexia as a young child but somehow managed to fall in love with stories anyway.  Counting to D is her first novel.  When Kate isn’t writing, she enjoys listening to audiobooks, camping, and spending time with her friends and family.  Kate also spends a lot of time doing math and sciency things and is a licensed professional engineer.

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ARC for review courtesy of Jessica at Mindbuck Media Book Publicity.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title as well as their future promotions, be sure to seek them out online.  This title is available now via EB Elliott Books, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf near you.

Until next time…happy reading!