February 3rd to 9th is children’s mental health week. This year’s theme is ‘Know Yourself, Grow Yourself’ and children’s mental health charity Place2be and Pixar’s Inside Out characters are joining forces ‘to explore the importance of self-awareness and expressing emotions.’
We’re huge fans of using picture books to help children deal with feelings, problems and situations in which they may need support. With the theme ‘Know Yourself, Grow Yourself’ in mind we’ve chosen books that can help children understand, accept and experience a variety of emotions and know that they’re not alone in experiencing them.
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Recognising and Dealing with different emotions and Worries
The Colour Monster by Anna Llenas
The Colour Monster is a great book to introduce children to the relationship between colour and emotions. Anna Llenas’ fabulous illustrations complement the simple text and help a mixed up little monster understand how each colour makes him feel. He also has to deal with confusing emotions in The Colour Monster Goes To School.
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Little Mouse is Absolutely, Completely, TOTALLY FINE! by Sharon Hopwood & Marisa Morea
We’re introduced to a little mouse who experiences different feelings during his walk through Mousetown. He and a colourful cast of mice experience a wide range of thoughts and feelings and, in a comforting way, the book acknowledges that all feelings, whether positive or negative, are valid.
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Sunny Side Up by Clare Helen Welsh & Ana Sanfelippo
Seeing things Sunny Side Up can help you find positive ways to get through greyer days. This simply written, beautifully illustrated picture book acknowledges that it’s ok to experience negative emotions. It takes inspiration from cognitive behavioural therapy techniques and uses innovative glasses to help children find ways to articulate and deal with their emotions.
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A Little Bit Worried by Ciara Gavin & Tim Warnes
This heartwarming picture book can help children talk about and find ways to deal with worries that they may have. Weasel has a lot of worries in comparison to his friend Mole who is upbeat and positive. Their story highlights how friends can listen and support each other when they have worries and concerns.
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Thank Goodness For Bob by Matthew Morgan & Gabriel Alborozo
This heartwarming story helps children understand that worrying is normal. Laid back Bob the dog shows Max how he can deal with his worries so that they don’t rule his life.
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SUPERHEROES DON’T GET SCARED by Kate Thompson & Clare Elsom
This fabulously empowering, humorous picture book can help children understand their emotions and reassure them that it’s ok to be scared sometimes. The superheroes in the story all have unique fears and their experiences help main character Maisie learn to face up to her own.
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Dealing with emotions caused by changing family situations
Rory’s Room of Rectangles by Ian Eagleton & Jessica Knight
It’s Rory’s first Fathers Day without his dad living at home but a surprise trip to an art gallery with Mum’s new boyfriend helps Rory explore the conflicting emotions that he has about celebrating a new kind of Fathers Day.
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Mabel’s Topsy-Turvy Homes by Candy Wellins & Jess Rose
Mabel experiences a range of emotions as she comes to terms with splitting her time between two houses. But with the help of her adorable sidekick, Izzy the iguana, she’s able to work through her emotions and start to feel more settled and optimistic.
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MINDFULNESS And staying positive
Little Bunny’s Book of Thoughts by Steve Smallman
Little Bunny’s Book of Thoughts is a beautifully illustrated, rhyming picture book which encourages mindfulness and offers a child advice for dealing with emotions that they may be struggling with. It helps a reader consider ways that they can regain a positive attitude and experience feelings of calmness.
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A CHILDREN’S BOOK OF MINDFULNESS ‘happy’ by Nicola Edwards & Katie Hickey
This beautifully illustrated picture book has a simple rhyming text which has a calming effect on readers of all ages. The book starts with a definition of Mindfulness and an invitation to ‘discover some simple steps’ on the path to happiness. Readers are then encouraged to focus on each of their senses as well as discovering new things, relaxing, breathing and loving one another.
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Do you have any suggestions for picture books or early readers that can help children to understand and navigate differing emotions?
We also have suggestions for children who are navigating the complexities of friendship in our blogpost for last year’s children’s mental health week and picture book suggestions for children experiencing grief.
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