Leo and the Long Wait (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9798295594236)

Waiting can feel especially challenging for young children-particularly neurodivergent children-when their bodies are full of energy, big feelings, and sensory input.

In this calming picture book, readers meet Leo, a baby lion who is learning how to wait at jungle school. When Leo sees something he wants right away, his body feels jumpy and uncomfortable. Waiting feels hard, not because Leo is doing anything wrong, but because his body is still learning how to slow down.

With the kind and steady support of Old Turtle, Leo is introduced to gentle, body-based emotional regulation tools designed to help him feel safe and in control. Through breathing, counting, and giving the body a job, Leo practices managing impulses and listening to his body while he waits.

Written in clear, reassuring language and supported by soft, comforting imagery, Leo is Learning affirms that emotional regulation is a skill that develops over time. The story normalizes the experiences of neurodivergent children while offering practical strategies that caregivers, educators, and therapists can reinforce in everyday moments.

Perfect for home, classrooms, and therapeutic settings, this book supports social-emotional learning, impulse control, and self-confidence-reminding children that learning to wait is a process, and they are safe while they learn.