Nora and Satori: The Monsters of Junkyard Square

Nora has a hard time knowing what other people are feeling. A tired sigh or a frown can seem like a warning—and before long, the grown-ups’ expressions turn into spiky monsters in her mind. Hoping to find somewhere quiet, Nora runs to the forgotten Junkyard Square. Instead, she finds flying sheet ghosts, a roaring shaggy monster, and Satori, a boy who can hear the thoughts inside people’s minds.

Satori is overwhelmed by the monsters’ frightening inner voices. But Nora notices what he can’t hear: the ghost keeps reaching for a scrap that rolls away, while the shaggy monster’s cries may have another cause. Can Nora’s careful observations help them understand what’s really happening before fear and confusion take over the square? This tender picture-book story celebrates empathy, paying attention, and the courage to trust what you see.

With lively junkyard commotion, expressive characters, and a gentle emotional insight, Nora and Satori makes a thoughtful read-aloud for children who are learning that feelings can be harder to understand than they first appear.