The Puddle Boat Race

By J. L. Neak

Two brothers. One wobbly cardboard boat. A big lesson about brains that work differently.

Dev's thoughts drift off like kites. Ishaan's legs have a mind of their own. When a monsoon boat race is announced in their lane, the brothers can't wait to build the best boat ever. But lost scissors, wiggly legs, and a crumpled cardboard hull leave them feeling stuck.

Then Nani arrives with a plate of pakoras and one simple question: "What might help you?" The boys invent their own clever tools, and discover that their ADHD brains aren't broken. They just work their own way.

Why families and classrooms will love this book:

Two Indian brothers with different ADHD experiences: one who seeks movement, one who drifts into daydreams

No superhero clich , no bully, and no grown-up "fix." The kids find their own solutions

A joyful, honest ending where the boat doesn't win, and that's the point

Playful rhyming text that's fun to read aloud, with a warm monsoon-season setting

A gentle conversation starter about neurodiversity, self-advocacy, and asking for help

A great fit for bedtime, storytime, and classroom reading, and a thoughtful gift for any child who has ever felt "too much" or "not enough."

Ages 3-7 - 24 pages - Rhyming picture book

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0HMKS8VF2
• ISBN13: 9798161178959
• Release Date: October 2026
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 28 Pages
• Weight: 0.22 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 8.0" x 10.0"