Books to Support Our Children’s Mental Health
*This book features some items gifted for review and contains affiliate links
This week is International Stress Awareness Week and now more than ever, I think we are all hugely aware of the impact the last year or so has had on everyone’s mental health – particularly our children’s. Over the last 18 months, our children have been through so much upheaval and uncertainty and will have been experiencing a wide range of emotions including sadness, fear and loneliness. With us still being far from normality, helping our children express their thoughts and feelings can be a massive help in keeping the conversations flowing during a difficult time.
Picture books are a great way to encourage conversations about thoughts and feelings and here are just a few of our favourites.
I’m NOT very AFRAID of the Dark by Anna Milborne (Illustrated by Daniel Rieley)
For young children, the dark can be quite a scary prospect, especially when the sun goes down and the shadows appear!
I’m NOT very AFRAID of the Dark shares the story of a little boy who sees all kinds of scary things when the dark sets in – however, things aren’t always how they appear!
This gorgeous picture book tells the story of a little boy’s fear of the dark and has hundreds of tiny holes to demonstrate how shadows are created. Great fun to read with a torch! A great way to show younger children in particular that the dark is nothing to be afraid of and help them settle down to sleep more peacefully at bedtime!
Weirdo by Zadie Smith and Nick Laird, Illustrated by Magenta Fox
Not only does this book have the most beautiful hidden illustrations under the dust cover (see my reels at Instagram.com/whatthekidsread!) but is also a refreshing way to help children embrace their individuality, accept who they are and the enjoy the power of being unique.
When ‘The Surprise’ – A guinea pig – arrives at Kit’s house for her birthday; the other pets are confused – who is she and why is she wearing that funny little white suit? ‘The Surprise’ explains it’s because she really enjoys Judo; but they mishear her and start calling her Weirdo; laughing, teasing and leaving her feeling excluded and sad It seems these pets have a pretty fixed schedule – and ‘The Surprise’ isn’t part of it!
When a gust of wind blows her out of the window; ‘The Surprise’ has a chance encounter with Kit’s eccentric neighbour Emily Brookstein – a lady who also gets called weirdo but has learned to embrace her differences! She shows ‘The Surprise’ that there is absolutely nothing wrong with being unique and that life’s too short not to live the life you love. After a lovely day together, Emily returns ‘The Surprise’ home. Kit cuddles her, names her Maud and introduces her to the group; who apologise for causing her a Weirdo.
Beautifully illustrated throughout (with some text free scenes that really bring the story to life); the girls very quickly fell in love with Maud as she adapted to her new environment! A poignant and positive reminder for children to simply be themselves!
Bracky Builds a New Den
A practical book from Fletchers Solicitors this book is all about finding hope in unexpected places. It tells the story of Bracky, a happy little dinosaur who’s world is turned upside down when their Dad suffers a serious injury and has to spend a significant amount of time in hospital. Developed after a period of research, this book is based upon professional advice from therapists and first-hand accounts from families and children who have experienced serious injury.
Having spent a significant time in hospital myself unable to walk after sepsis (and with a challenging period where they struggled to find a full diagnosis), I know first hand the impact that those fears, worries and anxieties can have on children, especially if they have to suddenly stay with relatives or see their family members looking upset or concerned.
Whilst a difficult topic, this book is filled with hope – Bracky has to take down their beloved den when they move home, but step by step they rebuild it, just as they rebuild their lives. Bracky’s teacher gives them a torch – a reminder that when things get dark, brighter days are just around the corner.
What I loved most about this book is the element of encouraging conversation and getting kids talking about their feelings. Whilst things may not feel entirely normal, these conversations can help children adjust to the ‘new normal’ and still see hope and happiness when things get tough.
You can download a copy of the book here
Stars Before Bedtime: A mindful fall asleep book by Claire Grace and Dr Jessemy Hibberd
Now more than ever, with all the changes and differences to their normal routine, encouraging children to switch off and relax before bed can be really hard!
Stars Before Bedtime is a great way to help instil calm by introducing concepts of mindfulness, muscle relaxation, gentle yoga and visualisation as a way to help reduce stress and anxiety, boost happiness and clear their minds before bed.
With a rhythmic melodic text and beautiful gentle artwork throughout the book guides children through the different constellations in the sky, and creates a variety of exercises for them to complete based on their mythical stories.
The book is long, so you can pick and choose which exercises you want to do and mix it up a little each night. A really unique read. A great option for junior / middle grade children, Stars Before Bedtime is available in hardback only at Amazon.
The Worrysaurus by Rachel Bright (Illustrated by Chris Chatterton)
Worrysaurus is a worrier – he loves to plan but always worries that something will go wrong. What if it rains? What if he gets lost, trips or falls? What if he hasn’t packed enough food! With all his fears and worries, he often forgets to live in the moment and simply have fun.
A beautifully illustrated story with lots of practical tips on how to face up to your anxious thoughts and live in the moment!
The Worrysaurus is available in paperback on Amazon here and in all good bookstores.
I really want to SHOUT! by Simon Philip (Illustrated by Lucy Gaggiotti)
What do you do when you really, really want to shout??
‘I really want to shout’ shares the story of a little girl who struggles to control her emotions, often feeling angry and upset and really, really wanting to shout.
With lots of humour and fun engaging illustrations; this book not only made my girls laugh out loud, but is filled with some useful practical tips on how to control your reactions when things don’t go the way you’d planned.
I Really Want to Shout is available in paperback here.
Barbara throws a Wobbler by Nadia Shireen
Do you ever have days where things just don’t go right?
Barbara is having one of those days. First there was a sock problem, and at lunchtime there was a strange pea. Before she knows it, she’s feeling flustered, frustrated and angry…. Barbara’s wobbler is out of control!
This is a really laugh out loud read that had the girls giggling all the way through; whilst at the same time providing some helpful hints for banishing bad moods when things don’t go your way.
Neve absolutely loved spotting the wobblers on the last page and Erin and I found the Bad Moods (Very Useful Guide) really amusing – especially pointing out which ones were most like me when I am having a mini mard of my own (it’s The Seethe for future reference)
We’ve had this one a few weeks now and a Neve keeps coming back to it. With bold, bright illustrations and a the only leading lady we’ve had called Barbara to date; this one has quickly become a firm favourite with us all!
Barbara Throws a Wobbler is available in paperback here and in all good bookstores.
Don’t think about Purple Elephants by Susanne Merritt and Gwynneth Jones
Don’t think about Purple Elephants tells the story of Sophie, a little girl who worries. She is fine during the day when she is having fun with family and friends, but when night time arrives and everything goes quiet, her mind starts racing and she struggles to sleep.
With the help of a purple elephant or two, Sophie and her family find a way to ease her worries and help her drift off for a good night’s sleep. With beautiful illustrations throughout that encourage dialogue and discussion, and short enough for a bedtime story, this one has become a firm favourite with the girls!
Don’t think about Purple Elephants is available on Kindle, Paperback and Hardcover at Amazon.
Who is Happy? Pictures by Jarvis
Everyone in Happyhop House experiences lots of feelings during their day. This book is full of action packed illustrations – Can you spot who is happy to be playing paper aeroplanes? Who is sad that the last slice of cake has gone? Who is scared of the dark?
Not only does this book help children understand and recognise visual cues of feelings and emotions, but also actively encourages conversations about why they may be feeling this way and what they can do to help. Neve (4) loves spotting all the different feelings within the varying scenes as well as telling me how she is feeling from the range of emotion choices at the end of the book. A great way to help children express how they are feeling when they may otherwise be reluctant to open up.
Jeremy Worried About the Wind by Pamela Butchart (Illustrated by Kate Hindley)
A quirky, funny and beautifully illustrated picture book that encourages important conversations about worries and anxiety from Blue Peter prize winning author, Pamela Butchart.
Jeremy is a worrier. He worries about odd socks, spotty bananas, evil squirrels, burnt toast, dinosaurs and, most of all . . . the wind! His friend Maggie isn’t worried about anything – after all, what’s the worst that could happen? But when Maggie decides to go outside and play in the wind, Jeremy must act fast to keep her out of danger, and he is soon to discover that a bit of courage leads to the most exciting adventures.
Jeremy Worried about the Wind is out now in Paperback at Amazon.
Your Mind is Like The Sky
Your mind is like the sky, sometimes it is clear and blue, but sometimes rainclouds appear and can make your thoughts go dark. Your Mind is Like the Sky is a great first introduction to mindfulness for children, this beautifully illustrated book helps children understand and manage worries and negative thoughts and introduce helpful thinking habits.
Your Mind is Like the Sky is available in Hardcover or on the Kindle at Amazon
Everybody Feels Series
Beautifully illustrated; the books in the Quarto Everbody Feels series showcase a range of different scenarios in which children may feel a particular emotion – from sadness to jealously, anger, loneliness or fear.
With relatable characters and scenarios, practical hints and tips on how to manage these emotions as well as next steps and discussion prompts to start a conversation, these are a great way to talk about mental health topics with young children! See them in more detail below:
LOVE by Corrinne Averiss
This book is just gorgeous. With beautiful illustrations throughout, this story is an ideal read for younger children who are experiencing being separated from the ones they love – whether that’s due to Covid times in 2020, starting a new school or nursery, or who’s parents may live in separate houses.
The story reminds children that love is like a piece of string that can stretch and stretch – although you may not always be able to see who is on the other end – they are always there. Sometimes the string may get frayed or tangled. but love never breaks.
Using the visual metaphor of string to represent love, it shows how new strings can form and old strings can last the test of time, even when challenges get in the way.
GIVEAWAY
In honour of Mental Health Awareness Week we have 2 practical activity books about feelings and emotions to giveaway to one lucky winner! The winner will receive 1 x The Unworry Book and 1 x No Worries – filled with practical tips, hints and strategies for coping with worries, fear and anxiety. Enter for your chance to win using the gleam app below!
UK Entries only. Our standard giveaway terms and conditions apply. GOOD LUCK! x
