Tale of Understanding
Where big feelings become gentle stories kids can hold.
A picture book that helps children understand emotions, autism and each other, through love, imagination and warm, wordless moments.
Understanding emotions & autism through a child's eyes
Tamitos follows the story of two sisters as they navigate emotions, sensory overload, and differences together. The story gently introduces autism and emotional sensitivity, without labels, fear, or medical explanations.
What children learn from the Tamitos book:
- Understanding emotions in children
- Autism awareness for kids
- Empathy toward siblings and classmates
- Acceptance of differences
- Emotional communication
Tamitos Trilogy
The book is part of the Tamitos Trilogy, a three-part journey designed to guide children and families through emotional growth, empathy, and acceptance.
Tale of Understanding
A story-driven children's book that helps children recognise emotions, understand autism, and see the world through another child's perspective. It focuses on emotional awareness, empathy, and the first step toward understanding differences.
Tale of Uniqueness
Coming soon10.10.2027Celebrates differences, strengths, and individuality. This part of the trilogy helps children understand that everyone experiences the world differently, and that these differences are not weaknesses, but unique strengths. Through gentle storytelling, children learn to accept themselves, their siblings, and their classmates just as they are.
Tale of Acceptance
Coming soon10.10.2028Focuses on kindness, patience, and belonging. The final chapter of the trilogy teaches children how to live with differences, not by changing others, but by accepting them with empathy and love. It shows how understanding leads to acceptance, and how acceptance creates safe spaces at home, at school, and in friendships.
Created by
Nina Bakalová
AuthorCo-author of the Tamitos and a mum on the autism journey, turning real family moments into gentle stories that help children feel understood.
Rastislav Bakala
AuthorCo-author and founder of the Tamitos world, shaping the characters, the mission and the universe behind every story.
Martina Masarovičová
IllustratorThe illustrator who gave the Tamitos their look, bringing every feeling to life with warmth, colour and heart.
Inside the book
A look at the spreads and illustrations that bring Ela, Lumi and the Tamitos to life.
Every spread begins as a pencil sketch and comes to life in full colour, see them side by side.
See more from the book launch!
We celebrated Tale of Understanding with family, friends and readers at Panta Rhei, first signings, first flowers, and the very first children holding the book in their hands.
What parents say
Tamitos: Tale of Understanding is a book that shows autism in a child-friendly way. It is beautifully made, with illustrations that captivate not just children.
It is really wonderful and I recommend every parent read it at home, and then to their children too. I have a little boy on the spectrum myself and these little frogs truly delighted us.
A beautiful book that sensitively conveys emotions and difference. My daughter loved the Tamitos frogs and I loved how the story fosters understanding.
TAMITOS is exactly the kind of book every parent should have at home. It is neither sad nor heavy — quite the opposite.
We read the book with our daughter before bed and it really spoke to us. The story is sensitive, colourful and unforced.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Tamitos book about?
Tamitos: Tale of Understanding is a children’s book about autism, emotions and empathy, following two sisters, Ela and Lumi, as they learn to understand each other’s feelings and differences through gentle storytelling.
What age is the Tamitos book for?
The book is written for children aged roughly 4 to 9, and is loved by families with autistic children, siblings, parents and teachers supporting inclusion.
Is Tamitos a book series?
Yes, Tamitos is a three-part trilogy: Tale of Understanding, Tale of Uniqueness and Tale of Acceptance, guiding children through emotional growth, individuality and belonging.
Who are Ela and Lumi?
Ela and Lumi are the two sisters at the heart of Tamitos. Ela is energetic and full of ideas while Lumi experiences the world in her own gentle, sensory way, showing children how understanding turns differences into friendship.
Children’s book about autism: Tale of Understanding
TAMITOS – Tale of Understanding is an illustrated children’s book about autism, emotions and empathy for kids aged roughly 4 to 9. It follows two sisters, Ela and Lumi, as they learn to understand each other’s feelings and differences through gentle storytelling. Written for the child themselves, it is ideal for reading together with a parent and opens up the topic of difference and emotions naturally.
What age it is for and how to read it
The book suits children aged 4–9 and is loved by families with autistic children, siblings, parents and teachers. It works best when read together — pausing at the characters to ask your child how they would feel turns the book into a conversation.
Where to buy
You can get the book in the TAMITOS shop at shop.tamitos.com and at the Martinus and Panta Rhei bookstores, where it holds a 5.0 out of 5 parent rating.
