Book Recommendations

“Bully” by David Hughes. This book confronts a universal problem as it tackles bullying using animal characters to play out the drama.

“It’s Always Me They’re After” by Ann De Bode & Rien Broere. Dealing with fear, this book helps children understand and come to terms with the emotional experience.

“Dinosaur’s Divorce” by L K Brown & M.Brown. A colourful, informative book to help children understand divorce. Helps explain: what divorce words mean; why parents divorce; how to live with one parent and visit the other; how to have two homes; and many more issues and topics.

“Two Places to Call Home” by Phil Earle. An uplifting picture book about Florrie who’s parents have divorced, meaning she now lives in 2 houses. She doesn’t feel brave enough to do this, but both parents find a way to show her she’s braver than she thinks.

“Mum and Dad Glue” by Kes Gray. A little boy tries to find a pot of parent glue to stick his mum and dad back together. His parents have come undone and he wants to mend their marriage, stick their smiles back on and make them better. But, as he learns, even though his parents’ relationship may be broken, their love for him is not.

“My Family’s Changing” by Pat Thomas. This simple and reassuring picture book that explores concerns about divorce and family break-ups for young children The fears, worries and questions surrounding this difficult experience are made accessible and approachable.

“Split Survival Kit – Ten steps for coping with your parents divorce” by child psychologist, Angharad Rudkin. From acceptance and resilience, to communication and compassion towards other people, this book will help you tackle the tricky situations that a divorce can bring, and answer some of the questions going through your head.

“Co-parenting With a Toxic Ex”. Written by Tiffany Austin, this is a very practical book with tips and strategies to set boundaries and manage conflict when your partner seems unable to prioritise the best needs of your children.

“What Mothers Do” by Naomi Stadlen. An affirming collection of stories and accounts from new mothers that unpicks the complex and undervalued role of mothering.

“How to Talk So Little Kids Will Listen: A Survival Guide to Life with Children Ages 2-7” by Joanne Faber and Julie King. A highly practical guide to perfecting communication with young children in a way that meets their developmental needs.

“Good Inside: A Practical Guide to Becoming the Parent You Want to Be” by Dr Becky Kennedy. An easy to understand guide for tackling a wide range of issues including separation anxiety, sibling rivalry, tantrums and more.

“Parenting Siblings without Rivalry” by Sandra D. Coon. A comprehensive guide to how and why rivalry develops and strategies for supporting more harmonious sibling relationships.

“It’s OK not to Share and Other Renegade Rules for Raising Competent and Compassionate Kids” by Heather Shumaker. An engaging book that explores many of the outdated parenting approaches and strategies from past generations and offering more effective alternatives.

“How to be a Calm Parent” by Sarah Ockwell-Smith. A refreshing approach in that it focuses on parents and the factors behind their parenting choices and struggles, rather than offering solutions focused on child behaviours.

“Little Monster Did it” by Helen Cooper. Little Monster loves Amy, but he doesn’t love the new baby. He starts doing very naughty things. And Amy gets the blame.

“Cuthbert’s Babies” by Pamela Allen. Cuthbert loves being the centre of attention. But when his mum & dad bring home four baby sisters, Cuthbert wishes for someone BIG and BAD to play with.

“Along Came Eric” by Gus Clarke. The story of an older child coping with a new baby in the family. It tells how everybody liked Nigel and how, best of all, Nigel liked being Nigel. Then along came Eric.

“The Huge Bag of Worries“ by Virginia Ironside. An excellent picture book we often recommend to help children deal with worries and anxiety. The illustrations are brilliant and the message powerful.

“Silly Billy“ by Anthony Browne. A lovely book for children struggling with anxiety. An opportunity to open up conversation around feelings and worries.

“Angry Arthur” by Hiwyn Oram. This is a stunning picture book about Arthur whose world explodes when he feels angry.

“Supposing” by Frances Thomas. Little monster has been having nightmares, but Mother monster reassures him and comforts him.

“What Feels Best” by Anita Harper. A young kangaroo discovers the benefits of sharing such things as gifts, ideas, and feelings with others..

“I’m Shy, I’m Worried, I’m Lonely” by Karen Bryant-Mole. Through the use of cartoons and humour the author aims to help young children to understand their emotions.

“The Red Beast” by K.I. Al-Ghani & Haitham Al-Ghani. This is an educational story that brings to life anger as a ‘red beast’ the child learns to control.

“The Whole-Brain Child” by Dr Dan Siegel. 12 Proven Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind, explains the new science of how a child’s brain is wired and how it matures.

“My Many Coloured Days” by Dr Seuss. Dr. Seuss takes the reader on a journey through many different moods in this vibrant and highly original book.

“When I’m feeling Happy, Sad, Angry” by Trace Moroney. A series of books to help young children develop skills to identify and manage their feelings leads to an increase in confidence, self-esteem, and an optimistic and hopeful state of mind―creating a healthy emotional foundation.

“Frog’s Breath-Taking Speech” by Michael Chissick. Helping show how children (and frogs) can use yoga breathing to deal with anxiety, anger and tension.

“Ladybirds Remarkable Relaxation” by Michael Chissick. This beautiful picture book teaches an effective yoga relaxation technique that can be used anywhere and anytime to deal with a problem.

“No Worries” by Marcia Williams. A reassuring and humorous look at common childhood worries. School, the dentist, family, friends, pets.

“The A-Z of Gender and Sexuality: From Ace to Ze” by Morgan Lev Edward Holleb. A dictionary guide to help dispel the anxiety around using the “wrong” words.

“What Does LGBT+ Mean?: A Guide for Young People (& Grown-Ups)” by Olly Pike. Helping young people with their LGBT+ identity.

“The Queer Mental Health Workbook: A Creative Self-Help Guide” by Dr Brendan J. Dunlop. A down-to-earth self-help workbook designed to as personal mental health resource. 

“Why do Stars Come Out at Night” by Annalena McAfee. A young boy out for a walk with his grandfather receives some satisfying answers to all those child’s eye mysteries.

“The Queen’s Knickers” by Nicholas Allan. A very special and endearing insight into a child’s imagination.

“What is Racism?” by Katie Daynes & Jordan Akpojara. This book gives both children and adults the language and sensitivity they need to talk about racism.

“My Skin, Your Skin” by Laura Henry Allain. Helps children and adults have meaningful discussions about race and anti-racism. Most importantly, the book empowers children to be the best versions of themselves.

“Nothing” by Michael Inkpen. Nothing, the cat, searches to discover who he really is.

“Michael” by Tony Bradman. The ideal picture book for all children, but particularly for children who are ‘different’ to their peers in some way.

“Something Else” by Kathryn Cave. A simple story, about a small creature who does his best to join in with the others. But he’s different. No matter how he tries, he just doesn’t belong.

“Don’t call Me Special – A First Look at Disability” by Pat Thomas. Promotes positive interaction among children, parents, and teachers, and encourage kids to ask questions and confront social and emotional questions that sometimes present problems.

“Muddles Puddles and Sunshine” by Diana Crossley and Kate Sheppard. An activity book to help when someone has died.

“The Secret C: Straight Talking About Cancer” by Julie Stokes. Supporting parents & carers with open communication and questions about cancer within the family.

“Beyond the Rough Rock” by Di Stubbs & Julie Stokes. Practical advice for families in the immediate days and weeks following a death by suicide.

“Badgers Parting Gift” by Susan Varley. Provides young children with a means to understand grief.

The Sad Book” by Michael Rosen. A heartbreakingly honest account of a father’s grief for his son.

“Milly’s Bug Nut” by Jill Janney. A story of a family finding their way through bereavement.

“The Day the Sea Went Out and Never Came Back” by Margot Sunderland. A story for children who have lost someone they love.

“The Memory Box” by Joanna Rowland. A story about dealing with the loss of a loved one.

“The Invisible String” by Patrice Karst. A picture book about the unbreakable connections between loved ones.

“Grandad I’ll Always Remember You” by Ann De Bode & Rien Broere. A lovely story of Tom and how he copes with the death of his grandfather through writing a letter.

“Saying Goodbye to Hare” by Carol Lee. A Story About Death and Dying for Children Aged 5-9 Years.

“I Miss You” by Pat Thomas. This book helps children understand that the death of a close friend or family member is a part of life and explains how to cope.

“Missing Mummy” by Rebecca Cobb. Tells the story of the loss of a parent from a child’s point of view.

“Dogger” by Shirley Highes. A heartwarming book about a boy who loses his favourite toy, and how his family come together to help him get it back again.

“The Heart and the Bottle” by Oliver Jeffers. Oliver Jeffers deals with the weighty themes of love and loss with an extraordinary lightness of touch and shows us, ultimately, that there is always hope.

“Leaving Mrs Ellis” by Catherine Robinson. Explores emotions involved in leaving their current teacher and going to the next class.

“Monkey Puzzle” by Julia Donaldson. Where is Monkey’s mummy? It’s not too much fun being lost in the jungle, and little monkey wants his mum.

“Autism: Talking Together about a Diagnosis” by Rachel Pike published by the National Autistic Society. This is really helpful for parents wanting help talking to their child about a diagnosis

“Can I tell you about ADHD? A Guide for Friends, Family and Professionals” by Susan Yarney. This short book from the perspective of a child is really accessible and informative.

“Taking Charge of ADHD” by renowned ADHD expert Russell A. Barkley, Ph.D. A well regarded handbook for anyone raising a child with attention deficit. In it, Barkley discusses the causes of ADHD, medication options, advice for parents with the condition, sibling issues, and how to work with schools and healthcare providers.

“The Explosive Child: A New Approach for Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated, Chronically Inflexible Children” by Ross W Greene PhD. A groundbreaking, research-based approach to understanding and parenting children who frequently exhibit severe fits of temper and other challenging behaviors, from a distinguished clinician and pioneer in the field.

“8 Keys to Parenting Children with ADHD” by Cindy Goldrich & Babette Rothschild. The book offers parents science-based insights and systems for cultivating confidence, independence, and communication skills in children with ADHD. The eight “key” concepts presented will reduce chaos, improve cooperation, and nurture creativity and drive in children with ADHD.

“Brain Brilliance: 60 Nourishing Recipes And A Nutritional Toolkit For Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, ADHD, Autism and All Neurodivergent Kids” by Lucinda Miller. Brain Brilliance will help you and your children make the important connection between what they eat and their mood, behaviour, and learning – even if they are a highly selective eater and resistant to change.

“Autism, Identity and Me” by Rebecca Duffus. A practical workbook to empower autistic children and young people aged 10+.

“Wonderfully Wired Brains: An Introduction to the World of Neurodiversity” by Louise Gooding. Aimed at ages 7-9.

“Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak. Shows young readers that even if they sometimes want to be wild things, a home with loving discipline is the best place to be.

“There’s a Nightmare in My Closet” by Mercer Mayer. A delightful children’s book that addresses the fear of monsters under the bed.

“Come the Terrible Tiger” by Kim Gamble. A joyful celebration of exuberance and love of adventure.

“Papa, Please get the Moon for Me” by Eric Carle. Shows us that there is something important about being able to imagine even those things we know to be impossible.

“Molly and the Night Monster” by Christopher Wormell. A bedtime story with a very reassuring ending, perfect for young children who are afraid of the dark.

“Can’t you Sleep Little Bear?” by Martin Waddell. Little bear cannot go to sleep because he is afraid of the dark. The story is about big bear trying to solve this problem until eventually he falls asleep.

“Doing Christmas” by Sarah Garland. Part of a classic picture book series featuring a warm and very down-to-earth family as they go about their daily life.

“Grandmother and I” by Helen Buckley. A child considers how Grandmother’s lap is just right for those times when lightning is coming in the window or the cat is missing.

“The Selfish Crocodile” by Faustian Charles & Michael Terry. A beautiful story about bullyish behaviour, making amends and friendship.

“The Frog Who longed for the Moon to Smile” by Margot Sunderland. A story for children who yearn for someone they love.

“I Like It When” by Mary Murphy. Helping provide special moments between you and your little ones

“Leo the Late Bloomer” by Robert Kraus and Jose Ergo. Leo the tiger cub is distressed because he can’t read, write, draw or even talk, but he’s reassured by his mother’s statement that he’s just a late bloomer.

“Billy’s Sunflower” by Nicola Moon. A very short and simple text, with bright supporting illustrations, helping the beginner reader to follow the story.

“The World Belongs to You” by Ricardo Bozzi and Olympia Zxagnolli. Inspiring words for graduating students and anyone experiencing a time of change in their life.

“You are Special” by Max Lucado. To help children believe in themselves and that it doesn’t matter what others think.

“The Original Warm, Fuzzy Tale” by Claude Steiner. The story is about how people give each other warm fuzzies that make people feel happy and warm.

“Ruby and the Rubbish Bin” by Margot Sunderland. A story to help children with low self esteem.

“Who Do You Love” by Martin Waddell. Encourages children to remember the dearest people in their lives.

“Ish” by Peter Reynolds. Helps explain to children that things don’t have to be done perfectly.