Meet Izzy, a feisty first grader, whose behavior is often misunderstood as she tries to cope with sensory overload in her new surroundings. This brightly illustrated book creates an environment that is accepting of students with sensory modulation difficulties, including many on the autism spectrum.  It's a great resource for occupational therapists, teachers, and parents to share with children. Resources for adults at the end of the book include definitions of sensory processing and sensory modulation disorder, suggested discussion questions, and lists of related books and websites. “Children and their grown-ups will savor this wise, wonderfully illustrated book about how teachers, classmates, family members, and an occupational therapist can help a little girl get in sync. Delightful!” – Carol Kranowitz, M.A., author, The Out-of-Sync Child and The Goodenoughs Get in Sync “Jennifer’s illustrations are charming, and her real-life examples about Izzy are true for many children. This book is applicable for children, families, educators, and therapists. It can also serve as an introductory teaching tool for those who are studying to become teachers and therapists. I will include this book as a resource for my workshop participants. Bravo, Jennifer!” – Diana A. Henry, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA, president, Henry OT Services, Inc. “With this engaging and endearing story, Ms. Veenendall has effectively entered the mind of Izzy, a likeable character who would be appealing to any child. By painting a clear and helpful picture of the issues associated with sensory regulation dysfunction, Why Does Izzy Cover Her Ears? is a wonderful resource for children with and without sensory issues. This is a must-read for any child struggling with sensory issues, and any adult who has the privilege of assisting that child.” – Lauren H. Kerstein, LCSW, private practice; author of My Sensory Book: Working Together to Explore Sensory Issues and the Big Feelings They Can Cause “Why Does Izzy Cover Her Ears? offers helpful insights about sensory modulation disorders to students, parents, and educators alike. As the story unfolds, Izzy’s symptoms and coping strategies are explained in a way that is beneficial to children and the adults who work with them. This book is a wonderful tool to help all the ‘Izzys’ out there get what they need to be successful in school.” – Lyn Malone, M.A., autism resource specialist and special education teacher, Mendota Elementary School “Why Does Izzy Cover Her Ears? is a short, easy-to-read book for all ages filled with loads of information about sensory processing disorder. The story of Izzy gives the reader a quick understanding of what kids with this disorder need and why they do what they do. Often misunderstood in behavioral situations, they aren’t ‘cry babies’ but have difficulty coping with and processing simple life tasks.” – Mary Rose Turner, mother of child with sensory processing disorder “Finally, a children’s book dedicated to helping kids understand sensory sensitivities, with practical sensory solutions weaved within a beautifully illustrated and delightful story. Another creative success for Jennifer Veenendall!” – Jenny Clark Brack, OTR/L, BCP, author of Learn to Move, Move to Learn and Learn to Move, Moving Up! Jennifer Veenendall is a school-based occupational therapist in West St. Paul, Minnesota. Working with students with a wide range of abilities, she is especially passionate about creating learning environments that meet students’ sensory processing needs. Jennifer received her occupational therapy degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her master’s degree in human development from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota. When she is not working, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family at their cabin, as well as drawing and painting. Jennifer is also the author of Arnie and His School Tools, Sensory Solutions That Build Success . Like Izzy, Arnie has a sensory processing disorder – he is a “mover.” His body needs to move, and his hands need to be busy. Hi. My name is Izzy. I started first grade 32 days ago. I hate to tell you, but it has not been as great as my kindergarten teacher said it would be. I cried a lot of the first 20 days or so. And I spent a lot of time looking for a safe place to get away from all the craziness that was going on. When everything became too much for me, I hid under the computer table. Center time was one of the things I hated the most. They should call it something else, like “crazy loud time.” Grace was  always in my group; we sat at the blue table with Ben. Grace could draw trees that don’t look like lollipops. Her trees look like real trees. And she can make a rhyme with any word you say. But she has a voice that hurts my ears. It makes my insides rattle. I felt like pushing her away from my ears to make her stop talking “into” me when she was playing her rhyming game. But I know that hands are not for hitting, so instead I usually cried and