The Sounds That Shelter Me: Weathering Sensory Storms

Mayuri feels safest when she's in the cozy little fort she's made in her family's den. Plump cushions, soft-flowing saris, and gentle blankets keep her snug as the music from her favorite Tamil movies swoops all around her.When she ventures outside, however, the world rushes too fast, so Mayuri wraps herself in the sounds of those old movies. Sa re ga ma pa, she stims. She takes additional comfort in the familiar sounds of her father's voice. Thaaa thaaa thi-thi thei, it seems to say. Those sounds follow her as she and her appa go for a walk in the neighborhood.But what happens when her verbal stimming isn't enough to stop a sudden sensory storm? Readers are invited to join Mayuri in repeating rhythmic sounds as she loses, and finds, her voice again.In this picture book depicting the sensory struggles of an autistic child, the reader is introduced to verbal stimming and how the repetition of sounds can bring comfort and help Mayuri endure the sudden storm.