Little Parachutes • children's picture books about

Picture books about Experiences from the Little Parachutes reviews library

Picture books that help children to make sense of new experiences. Young children can sometimes become anxious in new or unfamiliar situations. Our picture book collection aims to comfort, inform and reassure them.

Bed Time

Children’s books that promote a good bedtime routine, where children settle happily into bed at night without a fight, and stay there!

Comfort Objects

Picture books about childhood comforters such as dummies / pacifiers, blankets, teddies, soothers and cloths.

Haircuts & Hair Care

Books that encourage children who are reluctant to visit the hairdresser or barber to go for a hair cut. This collection also includes books to encourage children to brush their hair.

Holidays & Travel

A collection of picture books for young children about holidays and travel, including what to expect when flying. Includes some great books for children to bring on holiday with them.

Losing a Tooth

Books about losing milk teeth. Some promote good dental care and others include visits from the tooth fairy.

Moving House

Books to help children who are moving house or relocating to a new school or different area. Some books focus on the practicalities of moving house while others explore the emotions involved.

New Baby

Books to help children who are coming to terms with a new baby in the family. Some titles tackle the subject of jealousy, others explain pregnancy, childbirth and baby care in a way that young children can understand.

Owning a Pet

Books that explain the practicalities of pet ownership. Some debunk the often idealistic view children can have of owning a pet, and describe the work that is involved in their care. Some books tackle the loss of a pet.

Playgroup / Nursery

Books to help children starting playgroup, nursery or pre-school. These books aim to smooth the transition between being at home each day and being in a busy environment with other children.

Sleepovers & Babysitters

Books which portray babysitters in a positive light, or describe what to expect when a babysitter visits. Plus books about sleepovers.

Starting School

Books that help children prepare for starting school. Starting school is an exciting time for children, but it can also be daunting, particularly for children who tend to be anxious in new environments.

The River

A beautiful, hopeful picture book that supports and acknowledges children struggling with complex emotions. The boy in the story experiences (and recovers from) a prolonged period of sadness following the death of his pet dog, but the themes in the story would be useful for many scenarios.

Charlie and the Dog Who Came to Stay: A Book About Depression

This gentle and reassuring story should chime with any young child who is living with depression, whether it is themselves or someone else who has been affected by it. A useful tool to help children to understand depression and how it can change people's feelings and behaviour, containing practical non-preachy guidance and coping strategies.

Me and My Fear

A beautifully imagined exploration of fear and how it can change a child's behaviour and perception of the world around them. An excellent springboard for a discussion about emotions, empathy, talking through your worries with others and coping with change.

Hair Love

A positive story of how a father and daughter work together to create the perfect hairstyle for a very special day. There are many helpful messages within which could apply to a child who is dealing with an absent or ill parent, or who is simply finding it hard not to give up on a challenging task.

Let’s Talk About the Birds and the Bees

A bright, colourful and informative book that provides a wealth of information about growing up, puberty, reproduction and parenting. A great reference book for any family book shelf!

By the Light of the Moon

This lovely picture book by Tom Percival acknowledges that it can be difficult for children to move to a new home, and serves as a gentle reminder that it takes time to get used to new situations.

Tilly’s At Home Holiday

This picture book acknowledges that not every child is able to go on holiday and shows that it is possible to have fun at home for free with a little bit of creativity and imagination.

The Journey

This powerful story about a family's forced migration to a new country gives children the chance to empathise with people in difficult circumstances. It promotes greater understanding and respect for those with different origins and cultures. Children who are refugees themselves may recognise something of their own story here.

Dogger

This is a charming story that addresses the loss of a special toy, and how a sibling's kindness saves the day. The book highlights the unique bond some children have with specific toys, and allows an adult reader to see the significance of such a toy through a child's eyes.

A Safe Place for Rufus

This book would be a good choice for children who have experienced trauma in their lives which has left them feeling anxious in new situations. Also relevant for children who are struggling with transitions such as moving house, changing school or moving from one family to another.

I Don’t Want Curly Hair!

This fun tale will resonate with any child who might hanker after physical attributes they don’t have, for example, straight or curly hair. But it may also help children who feel different for other reasons, and will reassure a child that many people feel that way sometimes. The story reminds us that friendships can often be based on our differences, and that variety is a good thing.

My Cat Just Sleeps

May help to set realistic expectations on what it is like to own a cat!

There’s Going to Be a Baby

Prepares a child for the birth of a sibling, guiding a young reader through the excitement of pregnancy towards the birth of a brother or sister to love.

My Sister is an Alien

This book would be a good choice for a child who is getting to grips with the birth of a brother or sister. It cleverly addresses the confusion children may sometimes feel about whether or not their new sibling is a permanent fixture in the household!

Maisy Goes to Playschool

An interactive book which shows the fun activities a child can have at playgroup or nursery.

There’s a House Inside My Mummy

Providing a reassuring introduction to pregnancy and child birth for the very young.

The Monster Who Ate Darkness

This book elegantly 'neutralises' fear of monsters by portraying a non-threatening (and ultimately caring) one. It also provides a fun and poetic explanation to why darkness is so necessary at night time.

Starting School

Providing a good overview of what happens at a typical primary school. A good starting point to encourage children to talk about anxieties and emotions they may be experiencing related to starting school.

Eeeek, Mouse!

This book may help a child who is frightened of mice to see a less threatening side to them.

Where’s My Peg?: My First Day at School

May help a child who is about to start in reception class.

Aaaarrgghh, Spider!

Overcoming fears and phobias associated with spiders.

Take turns, Max and Millie

An ideal book to encourage a toddler to share.

Emily Brown and the Thing

In this lovely book the tables are turned (the little girl is comforting a frightened monster, who is not at all scary). This may neutralise a child's fear of monsters.

Baby Sitter (First Time)

A good choice of book to set a young child's expectations of what it is like to spend time with a baby sitter. It may calm a child who is anxious about being apart from a parent.

The Bedtime Book

Written by sleep expert Mandy Gurney, this book combines a gentle lullaby-like story with practical advice to help parents settle their children down to sleep.

Ever So Ever So

This book may help to explore disgruntled feelings between an older sister and a new baby arriving home. It is hard to accept the adoration and attention mum and dad are giving to new baby sister Susan.

Dogfish

This book would be a good choice for a child who can't have their desired pet for practical reasons.

Harry and Hopper

To comfort a child who has lost a loved one. It may be a good starting point for a discussion about bereavement and grief.

Small Bunny’s Blue Blanket

Young children who have a comfort blanket or other special toy may identify with this story.

How Are Babies Made? (Flip Flap)

A good choice for a child who is curious about how babies are made, how they grow inside their mother, and what happens when they are born. It is factually accurate but also simple enough for very young children and is not sexually explicit.

As We Grow

A comforting story with beautiful illustrations discusses how life may change as we grow older.

Arabella and the Magic Pencil

Acknowledges that a new baby in the house can mean big changes, but these changes can be positive ones (although a period of adjustment is needed)

Ice in the Jungle

Ice the little polar bear cub suddenly has to move from her North Pole home to a new life in the jungle when her mother gets a new job. Ice is understandably upset, and finds the new place very unfamiliar. She misses her friends. But with time, and through the kindness of others, she settles in to her new life just fine.

Here I Am

A hopeful story about making a new country feel like home, told through illustrations.

Worried (Dealing with Feeling…)

Helps to identify what worries are and provides tips and advice on how best to express and deal with them.

My New Home

Focussing on a family of racoons moving house, the message in this story is that new situations may feel strange, scary and lonely for a while, but with a little time and patience they can feel exciting and fun.

AdoraBULL

Separation can be hard for children, and in this original story, young Tom is devoted to his wonderful pet bull, Alfred. When he starts school, Tom starts searching for a strategy to help Alfred whilst he is absent, and in the end, finds a way to keep everyone happy!

William, The What If Wonder

A story about an anxious boy's first day at school that will help children recognise the difference between worry and reality.

Lula and the Sea Monster

This quirky and empowering story of the friendship between a girl and a rapidly-growing sea creature contains lots of helpful messages about the importance of kindness and perseverance, standing up for your beliefs and protecting the environment. It also acknowledges how difficult it is for children to leave their family home.

The Sea Saw

A sentimental story that acknowledges the sadness that children feel when they lose a well-loved toy. This book could be a good starting point for a conversation about the loss of a person as well as a comfort object.

Lulu Gets a Cat

This picture book helps children to understand the reality of pet ownership, showing that it involves hard work, consideration and patience, but it is also fun and rewarding.

Worzel goes for a walk. Will you come, too?

A simple story which gently promotes responsible dog ownership.

Betsy Goes to the Doctor

A story about a little girl of pre-school age called Betsy who feels unwell and is taken to see the Doctor for the first time by her mummy. She is worried about letting the Doctor look at her sore ear, but is put at ease when the kind Doctor looks at her toy penguin first.

Pom and Pim

A story about a child who encounters good luck and bad luck. This book can help children to discover how sometimes bad luck can lead to surprising and wonderful good luck!

Suzie Goes On An Aeroplane

This is a colourful and cheerful book that will teach a child all about flying in an aeroplane. It tells the reader what to expect at every stage of the journey, with some helpful advice thrown in.

George Goes on a Plane

A good introduction to what to expect on a plane journey for very young children.

Little Home Bird

Encourages a child to appreciate that moving home, even if only temporarily, can be a pleasant experience, and subtly suggests some coping strategies for being happy wherever home may be at any one time.

Prince Preemie: A Tale of a Tiny Puppy Who Arrives Early

This story provides a mildly abstract way of explaining the arrival of a premature baby to a child. It may help the young reader to understand that pregnancies don’t always go to plan, and a very early baby may need a lot of special care in hospital, instead of being able to come straight home. It may also be of interest to a child who was a premature baby him/herself.

Two Homes

Highlighting that parents can live apart successfully and reassuring children that this situation does not mean that they are loved any less.

See You Later Mum

Comforting for children starting playgroup or nursery.