World Mental Health Day with Graffeg
Today is World Mental Health Day, so we thought we'd share a few picture books that can be great when opening conversations with the little ones about mental health and increase understanding.
Steve Smallman's Little Bunny series
Author Steve Smallman presents an uplifting, illustrated, rhyming text encouraging people of all ages to take a moment and try something new. With delightful illustrations of Little Bunny experiencing challenges and showing a range of emotions, this is a series which will speak to children and adults alike.
Themes:
- Mindfulness
- Friendship
- Sadness
- Being kind to yourself
Little Bunny's Book of Thoughts
So relax, cool your ears, just lie back and chill,
Be kind to yourself, if no one else will.
Dare to believe that a wish can come true,
That something amazing is waiting for you!
When everything feels like a challenge, take time to stop and breathe with Little Bunny's book of calm, quiet and mindfulness.
Little Bunny's Book of Friends
When it feels like your ears are beginning to flop and all of the bounce has gone out of your hop,
When everything’s driving you right round the bend, you know what you need? What you need is…a friend.
Follow Little Bunny as he discovers how important friends can be, how they can help you tackle some of the more complex emotions, as well as how to be a good friend to others.
Imagine Eating Lemons by Jason Rhodes and Richard Dearing
Chester Chestnut is a happy little chap, but sometimes even the happiest of chaps get worried or nervous and when this happens Chester’s tummy starts to hurt. Follow the journey of Chester Chestnut as he learns about his anxious thoughts and feelings, where they come from and how to control them.
Themes:
- Mindfulness
- Being kind to yourself
- Anxiety
- Intrusive thoughts
The Only One of Me picture book series by Lisa Wells and Michelle Robinson
The Only One of Me project grew from Lisa’s determination to leave a lasting legacy for her daughters and her desire to help other families rally against the difficulties of loss. Her activities have raised thousands for charity and huge public support through JustGiving has enabled the publication of these beautiful books. Sadly Lisa passed away in August 2019.
Themes:
- Grief
- Loss
- Family
- Love
Only One of Me: A love letter from Mum by Lisa Wells, Michelle Robinson and Catalina Echeverri
Most of us can’t imagine having the time we spend with our children cut short, but this is the reality being faced by mother of two Lisa Wells, who was diagnosed with terminal bowel and liver cancer in December 2017 at the age of 32.
A tender and moving rhyming poem, with charming illustrations by Catalina Echeverri, which is both a love letter to Lisa’s own daughters and a testament to the unwavering strength of parental love, a timeless message for families facing the challenges of bereavement.
Only One of Me: A love letter from Mum by Lisa Wells, Michelle Robinson and Tim Budgen
Only One of Me is the product of Lisa’s lifelong love of writing and friendship with award-winning children’s author Michelle Robinson. The two collaborated on this tender and moving rhyming poem, with charming illustrations by Tim Budgen, which is both a love letter to Lisa’s own daughters and a testament to the unwavering strength of parental love, a timeless message for families facing the challenges of bereavement.
Goodbye Hobbs by Emma Bettridge and Josephine Birch
Merlin won’t go out. Not without his best friend Hobbs. Join Merlin as he goes on an adventure to learn how to say ‘Goodbye Hobbs’.
A story of what it means to love and lose a friend, and to find reasons to go for a walk again.
Themes:
- Pets
- Grief
- Love
- Loss
- Friendship
- Healing
The Pond by Nicola Davies and Cathy Fisher
A touching picture book about a young boy, and his family, overcoming the loss of his father. This colourful, emotional book is filled with natural imagery, and will teach children not only about death and loss, but the importance of the natural world.
Themes:
- Grief
- Nature
- Love
- Family
- Healing
The New Girl by Nicola Davies and Cathy Fisher
A child starts a new school in a strange new town. The children in her class are hostile towards her and unhappy about the stranger in their midst, refusing to include her. The girl’s response is to create something beautiful that transforms their attitude towards her and their vision of themselves and their own lives in this inspiring story.
Themes:
- Bullying
- Racism
- Kindness
- Friendship
- Art
Perfect by Nicola Davies and Cathy Fisher
A story of anticipation, disappointment, acceptance and, ultimately, love. Written by award-winning children’s author Nicola Davies, it tells the story of a young boy learning to accept his baby sister as being perfect in every way in spite of her disability. Suffused with natural imagery, Perfect is an ideal way to open up the subject of disability with children, as well as being a great story in its own right. Beautifully illustrated by Cathy Fisher, Perfect is a truly remarkable book guaranteed to bring a lump to the throat.
Themes:
- Disability
- Disappointment
- Acceptance
- Family
- Love
Mouse and Mole: Clink, Clank, Clunk! by Joyce Dunbar and James Mayhew
Three new Mouse and Mole stories highlighting the joy in everyday life.
Clink, Clank, Clunk!
Mouse hears a lot of noice coming from outside the shed. It is Mole, tinkering with the motorbike, but Mole gets stuck and doesn't know how to put it back together. How will they get the bike to work again?
Something on the Roof
Once day Mole is concerned that something is living on their roof, having discovered some moss. But Mouse helps Mole realise there is nothing to fear.
A Frisky, Fluttery Ghost
A confused Mole wakes up to see Mouse being confronted by a ghost! Little does he know, it's just the washing hanging on the line.
Themes:
- Anxiety
- Worry
- Friendship
- Love
