Issues

Picture books that help young children cope with big issues and situations such as bullying, divorce, adoption and serious illness.

Adoption & Fostering

Books that explain adoption and fostering to young children, and support, inform and reassure adopted children who are struggling with transition, new concepts and feelings.

Bullying, Violence & Abuse

Picture books for children who have been affected by bullying or other violent/abusive behaviour.

Caring for the Environment

Books that cover environmental issues and explains them in a simple way that children can understand.

Death & Bereavement

Books which tackle the difficult subjects of bereavement and loss. Grieving children may find comfort or answers to challenging questions in the pages of these books.

Depression in Family

Books which inform and comfort children who have parents (or other family members/loved ones) suffering from depression.

Divorce / Separation

Picture books that gently explain the issues surrounding divorce and separation to young children, to help them get a sense of what’s happening.

Facts of Life

Age-appropiate picture books aimed at young children who are curious about where babies come from.

Non-traditional Families

Many children’s picture books still feature the traditional ‘nuclear family’. Our book library contains non-traditional family stories, including blended, single-sex and single-parent families.

Parent In Prison

Books for children who have a parent or other loved one in prison; which explain prison life and help children deal with the absence of a parent.

Safety and Protection

Books that inform children about the importance of personal safety and protection. Subjects include road and home safety and ‘stranger danger’.

Serious Illness

Books which inform or comfort children who are seriously ill, or have family members or other loved ones suffering from a serious physical or mental illness.

A picture book that steps in to support anyone that needs to explain cancer treatment and its effects to a young child. It also serves as a good reminder that we should not judge or tease people for the way they look, it's what inside that counts the most, and parental love is unwavering, even in the most difficult circumstances.

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.

The Happiest Kid

A gentle, reassuring picture book that helps children to recognise and normalise sadness and talk about big feelings

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.

Mum’s Jumper

A thoughtful, sensitive and realistic portrayal of the thoughts and feelings of a young girl following the death of her mother.

Those Shoes

A brilliant book that puts the reader in the shoes of a child in poverty, acknowledging the frustration and sense of injustice a child feels when they can’t have the things their friends take for granted.

The Perfect Shelter

A beautiful picture book that explores the complicated and sometimes contradictory emotions that children can feel when they have a loved one with a serious illness.

Coronavirus: A Book for Children about Covid-19

A comprehensive, child-friendly free e-book that is a great way to answer a child's questions or address their concerns on any aspect of the Coronavirus crisis.

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.

Ask First, Monkey!

An important introduction to consent and boundaries for young children.

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!

A Planet Full of Plastic: and how you can help

Explaining in a simple and non-threatening way why plastic can be a big problem for the environment and encouraging children to take steps to improve things.

The Fix-It Man

A touching portrayal of how a young girl deals with the loss of her mother.

Sneaky Beak

An entertaining picture book about learning to be happy with what you have.

The Hospital Hoppities

This story gives a voice to children in long-term hospital care and normalises the hospital environment. It recognises how many selfless acts of kindness are performed in hospitals every day by staff, volunteers and the families of sick children. It also encourages children to be kind and helpful.

The Day War Came

A haunting, emotional story of a young refugee, this picture book could be a springboard for a conversation about kindness and tolerance. Encourages empathy.

The Memory Tree

'A celebration of life and memories that live on when a loved one dies'. This gentle and comforting book is a good choice for a child who has been affected by the loss of an elderly relative or friend.

The Unstoppable Maggie McGee

A warm, positive reflection of the imagination, friendship and trust of children in long-term hospital care.

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.

And Tango Makes Three

This classic picture book shows children that every family looks different and all family groups are equally valid and wonderful regardless of shape and size, colour or gender: love is all they need!

The Garden of Hope

A poignant yet positive story about a grieving daughter and father and how tending a garden together helps them to begin the healing process and find hope for the future.

The Tide

A warm, reassuring story which helps a child to understand the changes in a loved one who is living with dementia.

The Last Chip

Sharing this story with a child would be a good catalyst for a conversation about kindness and resilience. The Last Chip has important messages about the harmful effects of bullying and violence, and challenges negative stereotypes of homeless people and those in poverty.

Grandma

A comforting (yet realistic) story of the relationship between a young boy and his Grandma who has dementia. Beautifully illustrated and sensitively written, this would be a great choice for any child who has a loved one who is suffering from dementia or is going into a care home.

Benny’s Hat

A beautiful, sensitively written book that could be used to support and comfort children who have a seriously ill sibling or friend, or have experienced bereavement.

What’s worrying you?

A great picture book to help children explore their worries. While it is normal to feel anxious now and then, when anxiety escalates and can't be controlled, sitting down with your child and reading this book together should help.

The Red Tree

A sensitive and honest insight into feeling lost, confused and alone, with an uplifting reminder that things will be okay. Hope is always there, waiting to be found.

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.

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.

What Happened to Daddy’s Body?

This is a frank and lovingly written book, explaining clearly what happens to someone’s body when they die. It provides young children with a means to understand what happens after death, whilst reassuring them with the message that life goes on for those left behind.

Mummy’s Home!

This book helps explain to children why a parent must sometimes temporarily leave their family in order to work; it acknowledges the challenges associated with having an absent parent, while remaining positive; the book provides the child with coping strategies to help them through a period of absence.

Is Daddy Coming Back in a Minute?

By honestly explaining sudden death in a clear and simple language a young reader can understand, this book will aid a child who is trying to process the concept of a loved-one passing away. The book discusses the feelings of sadness that a child will inevitably feel, but reinforces the message that it’s okay to be happy sometimes, too.

Minnie & Max are OK!

A good choice to help a child develop a positive body image, “Minnie & Max are OK!” sends out a strong message that everyone is different and that we all have our own specific strengths. The book will reassure a child with insecurities, and encourage them to look at the wonderful diversity all around them.

We’re All Wonders

This story shows how one child copes with his own differences, and other people’s reactions to them. The reader will find comfort in Auggie’s imaginative tactics, and his positivity about being able to change the way others see him.

Cry Heart, But Never Break

A sensitive and honest portrayal of the death of a cherished grandparent, the book carries important messages about coping with the grieving process.

Space Alien at Planet Dad

Perfect for a child who is struggling to cope with adjusting to a new blended family environment. An entertaining and comforting book which has accurately captured the emotions of a child adapting to his father's new partner.

The Great Big Book of Families

Highlighting the fact that families come in all shapes and sizes, this book celebrates diversity, explaining how every personal situation is different. It's a good book for debunking the traditional storybook myth that happy families usually consist of mother, father and two children.

Mummy’s Lump

Providing a reassuring and realistic account which may dispel some of the fears young children have about cancer, the treatments which are given for it and how it affects family life.

Michael Rosen’s Sad Book

An honest and realistic description of the pain of grief (and the healing process that follows it)

Good Little Wolf

Although predominantly an entertaining story, this quirky picture book also explores the idea of being true to oneself and defying stereotypes. It reinforces the message that you don't need to 'go with the crowd' if the crowd's actions are not wise.

Is It Because…?

A good starting point to introduce the subject of bullying and why it happens. It may encourage children to explore the feelings of the bully as well as the victim.

Missing Mummy

This touching and beautiful picture book perfectly reflects the grief of a young child who has lost a parent.

The Bear and the Wildcat

This book covers themes of grief, loneliness and loss in a clear and touching way.

The Lonely Tree

This book may be useful to help a child how death is an inevitable part of ageing, and life continues after the sadness of bereavement. It also may be a good starting point to talk about how to cope with loneliness or isolation.

My Daddy’s In Jail

When a family member goes to prison, young children can be frightened and confused and perhaps feel they are in some way to blame. This important book, sensitively written by a former prisoner, is packed full of comforting explanations and reassurance for children in this challenging situation.

This Book Belongs to Aye-Aye

This entertaining book explores the idea of 'being different'. The central character has less conventional looks than his classmates, but the story reveals that his kindness and intelligence are more important than the way he looks. The book also has an anti-bullying message.