The Hallway of Doorknobs

Five children notice a hallway they've never seen before. The floor is soft like moss. The walls shimmer like stars. And the doors are magical and wonderful, each one with its own extraordinary doorknob.

Behind each door lives a "part," a protective voice inside all of us that tries to help in its own way. There's a prickly Cactus who pushes people away, a fiery Lava who burns hot when things feel unfair, a shimmering Vanish who hides when the world gets too loud, and more. Some parts are loud. Some are quiet. Some try to make everyone laugh. Some try to disappear.

As the children meet each part, they learn something powerful: these parts aren't problems to fix. They're protectors with important jobs. And when we speak to them with curiosity and kindness, something shifts.

Inspired by Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, The Hallway of Doorknobs gives children ages 6 to 10 a language for the voices inside them. With lush, painterly illustrations and a cast of five diverse characters, this book invites young readers to explore their inner world with wonder instead of fear.

Written by Lynn Haller, MSW, LCSW, a trauma-informed psychotherapist and educator with over 25 years of clinical experience.