Ezra's Invisible Backpack

by Dina Rock, Hannah Cohen

Ezra may be smiling on the outside, but that doesn't mean he's smiling on the inside. He enjoys having a casual conversation in the hall with his classmates, but when it comes time to ask to join their game of soccer or sit by them at lunch, Ezra freezes up and doesn't know what to say. Instead, he hides his nose in a book and says nothing.

Until the day his teacher explains about having an invisible backpack. The invisible backpack that can be filled with brick...by brick...throughout your day without anyone knowing that there's anything wrong. How many bricks are in Ezra's backpack? The only way to find out is to ask.

This picture book shows us that kindness and communication with those around us can go a long way in making our classmates feel accepted. The invisible backpack is a helpful tool for children to utilize in their daily lives when trying to better express their emotions. A fantastic book for parents, teachers, and counselors alike!

34 pages, Paperback

Published May 25, 2021

Reviews

[Monica Arkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a doctoral student in clinical psychology planning for a career working with children. I received this book as a gift and will be holding onto it for future clients! Very accessible storyline and colorful illustrations teach readers about adversity, both short- and long-term challenges, that we all face. This book encourages empathy for others and patience for ourselves.

[Rosie Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful story! I wish I had been read this book as a child- the backpack metaphor is a great way to give kids the language to explain their mental health struggles. The illustrations are gorgeous and the writing throughout is accessible but engaging. 11/10 must have, such a helpful book- one that I hope starts an avalanche of children’s literature addressing the importance of mental health.

[Mary Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just received my copy of Ezra's Invisible Backpack and I am beyond impressed and optimistic. Ezra's Invisible Backpack should be on every shelf and in the hands of adolescents everywhere. As an elementary teacher, I believe it is never too soon to start talking about mental health. I have yet to come across a resource that is age appropriate and relatable for both children and adults alike. So often, children find themselves putting on a smile or "brave face" and are not talking about the things worrying them. With young children and teens in particular, it's extremely challenging to grasp the concept of something they can't see or touch, yet they feel it on their heart. Ezra's invisible backpack makes this concept tangible. This book is truly going to change the way children, teens, and adults view mental health and openly discuss mental health. It is time to remove the stigma and negative connotations about mental health and start talking!

[Marjorie Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ezra's Invisible Backpack is a wonderful story that opens the door to discussions with children that can, sometimes, be difficult to have. As a parent, and former teacher, I always tried to take advantage of teachable moments. This book creates the opportunity for children to recognize and address their own challenges, while understanding that they are not alone. Ezra takes us on a journey that shows us a gentle way to reach out to other and to have others reach out to us. In doing so, it helps everyone feel better about themselves.
The book was a joy to read and is truly a story that will resonate with all ages.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy for all ages to understand & relate to.
I’ve already read this book to my grandkids more than once. One of them asked to hear it after hearing it once! It’s enabled one of my granddaughters to admit some nervous feelings she’s had that she couldn’t easily verbalize yet on her own.
I expect to read it more often to remind them how it helps to not only understand that we all have feelings that we may hide from others, but that it’s helpful to talk about them. It’s a great conversation opener & great for all ages!

[Paul Bolling · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first time I read this book, I recognized a wonderful language for talking about our real lives that is instantly accessible to children, teens, and adults. The concept of the invisible backpack offers us a way to share as little or as much as we want about how we're really doing, and to express how various weights in our lives affect each of us uniquely. This book offers not a way to get rid of the bricks (which is not possible anyways) but rather a way to find support for ourselves and provide it for others. Thank you Dina and Hannah!
-Paul Bolling, MMFT, K-8 Guidance Counselor

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance copy of Ezra's Invisible Backpack and loved it! As a clinical psychologist working with kids, I think this book would be so useful to parents, teachers, and mental health professionals in helping them develop a language to talk about life's difficulties. This book encourages kids to understand their emotions and to be in tune to the emotions of others. These empathy skills are invaluable!!

[Sydney Elise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ezra's Invisible Backpack is an incredibly important book for children and adults alike! This story will allow people to develop a language around mental health to better communicate their struggles. This fills an important gap in mental health resources. As a mental health therapist I will absolutely be recommending this book to clients, teachers, and colleagues.

[Erin Mariah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed following the development, reveal, and launch of Ezra’s Invisible Backpack. The book recognizes all of our mental fragility. It serves as a vehicle to bring conversation inhibitors to a halt and invite opportunities to feel less awkward when talking about mental bricks that weigh on all of us. Beautiful illustrations make these concepts more tangible. Well done all around.

[Naomi Yankellow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ezra's Invisible Backpack is a great book overall, but especially great in introducing the topic of mental health and the concept of an invisible backpack. As a camp counselor, I cannot wait to introduce this book and concept to my campers. This book will give me and my campers the tools needed to create a more open and honest environment. I'm so happy with my purchase!

[Sam Friedlander · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well written and illustrated, clever, practical and thought provoking book. It is aimed for children and has an important message for adults as well. We all do carry around an invisible backpack. Similar to the luggage metaphor but the backpack idea is much more relatable and understandable. A great read!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

😎😷😍🤒😄
Five-Smile Review from Both of Us!