World Book Day: Recommended books for children about mental health
It’s World Book Day, a day to talk about reading and all the benefits that reading offers a child as they grow. A book can open a child’s mind to imagination, storytelling and play…the list goes on. This year we want to focus on how a book can be a powerful tool for helping children face and work through trauma or mental health issues. We spoke to our therapists for their thoughts and recommendations of children’s books to read at home.
A Play Therapist’s perspective
A Play Therapist from our team told us that her collection of books has been thumbed through and retold on multiple occasions, and often a child they are working with will identify their favourites. Their favourites may well be the books that are retelling a familiar journey of mental health or trauma, one that is like their own. Yet, in some cases the story can be retold with an animal, or toy as the main character – allowing a child to have some separation from this character, but still process their own experience.
“Children don’t have to think about themselves and their own life as it’s all in the book as we read. The books reflect real life, rather than crossing over into the fairy tale ending.”
A hopeful ask and an amazing response
When I sent out an email asking for book recommendations I was hugely conscious of how precious the time is of our clinical team. Having only started at Kids Inspire a few weeks beforehand, I was amazed by the response I got back, many coming forward with recommendations that have positively impacted a therapeutic relationship. I am happy to share these books with you, with each having been lovingly or enthusiastically passed on. So if your family, or a child in your life, is going through something, I hope that one of these will become an invaluable addition to your bookshelf.
“World Book Day is often met with total frustration and stress by parents - so this will be a very nice antidote to that.”
10 books our therapists recommend
*The following books are not ranked in order of preference. Each is unique and special in its own way.*
1. Riley The Brave by Jessica Sinarski
A picture book to help children understand and cope with their feelings after experiencing trauma. It gives some context as to why the character, Riley, struggles with his emotions and may be of particular significance to children placed in care.
Most suitable for ages 3-7.
2. Your Mood Journal by Fearne Cotton
A lovely bright and engaging book that encourages children to creatively explore their feelings, as well as the physical effects they can have on the body.
"Get a pen, pencil and colouring pens at the ready, and prepare to become great friends with your emotions." - Fearne Cotton
Most suitable for ages 7-10.
3. Rabbityness by Jo Empson
A picture book exploring the theme of loss where a much-loved Rabbit with rare talents disappears. Although the others are devasted, Rabbit leaves them memories of these talents for them to recreate and be remembered by.
Most suitable for ages 3-8.
4. How Hattie Hated Kindness by Margot Sunderland
A story for children who are locked in anger and hate. Hattie lives alone on an island and may be perceived as bad by others. Due to previous trauma, she initially refuses any support because she finds it hard to trust and feel safe with others, but over time she starts to reach out.
Most suitable for ages 4-12.
5. Little Mouse Finds a Safe Place by Ann Dix
A storybook designed to help professionals support children who have experienced and witnessed domestic violence and abuse. It also contains guidelines on the key issues and how to use the story with individuals and groups.
6. Jayben and the Golden Torch by Thomas Leeds
A fantasy book written by an author who lost their memory after a traumatic brain injury. Inspired by their own experience, they have written the first in a series of books for children that have neuro-challenges of epilepsy and memory loss.
Most suitable for ages 9-11.
7. The Huge Bag of Worries by Virginia Ironside
A book used by many of our therapists for younger children. It helps the child to visualise the worries, to explore how it might feel to physically carry those worries around with them every day. To feel the weight of the bag, and how by emptying the bag, handing the worries back to the people they belong to, that the bag can then feel lighter and more manageable.
Most suitable for ages 4-8.
8. Stories for Boys who Dare to be Different by Ben Brooks
A book that challenges gender stereotypes and encourages boys to embrace their differences. Each page is a short biography about a real person from Jamie Oliver, to Stormzy. There is also another book by the same author called Stories for Kids Who Dare to be Different, which is non-gender specific.
Most suitable for ages 8-10 (but great for adults too!).
9. What to Do When You Worry too Much by Dawn Huebner
A fun, interactive storybook to help children recognise and manage anxiety. A guide to cognitive-behavioural techniques for both children & families. This book is often used alongside treatment for generalised anxiety.
Most suitable for ages 6-12.
10. The Whole Brain Child by Dr Daniel J. Siegel and Dr Tina Payne Bryson
Okay, not a children’s book, but a practical one for parents & carers that provides insight into the functions of a child’s brain, how it matures and the behaviours that come with this. A book that is often recommended to our parenting groups.
Suitable for adults.
A huge thank you to the amazing clinical team that gave their input on the books mentioned in this blog!
Written by Laura Whitehead, Digital Marketing Officer.