Friday Library Recommendations: World Mental Health Day
Today is World Mental Health Day, so I have picked stories that we can all identify and empathise with.
My first choice is ish! by Peter H Brown, a beautifully simple and uplifting story that speaks straight to the hearts of young artists and their families.
The book follows Ramon, a boy who absolutely loves to draw. He draws anything, anytime, anywhere, until one day, a careless comment from his older brother shakes his confidence. Suddenly, his once joyful hobby becomes a stressful task. Ramon’s drawings no longer feel “good enough”, and he begins to doubt his abilities.
But all is not lost. His younger sister Marisol gently shows him a different way of seeing things. She doesn’t focus on whether something looks exactly “right”. Instead, she appreciates the way his pictures feel. A vase doesn’t need to be perfect; it can be “vase-ish”. Through her eyes, Ramon learns that creative expression isn’t about perfection, it’s about capturing the essence of something and enjoying the process.
This heart-warming tale is a powerful reminder for children, and adults, that creativity is not about being exact, it’s about being you. With its minimal text and expressive illustrations, ish! encourages young readers to value their own unique way of creating and to keep going, even when self-doubt creeps in.
Offering a gentle but important message about resilience, self-expression, and the freedom to be “ish-ful”, it’s a great conversation starter for talking to children about confidence and creativity, and highly recommended for nurturing self-belief in budding artists and encouraging a lifelong love of making and imagining.
Next, I have picked The Wonderous Prune by Ellie Clements, a heartfelt and empowering story that blends everyday struggles with a touch of magical realism, perfect for readers who enjoy stories about family, friendship and finding your inner strength.
The story follows eleven-year-old Prune Robinson, who has just moved to a new town with her mum and older brother. Prune is quiet, thoughtful, and loves to draw, but things aren’t easy. She’s trying to adjust to a new school, where she’s being bullied, and her brother is constantly getting into trouble. Feeling like she needs to protect her already overworked single mum, Prune decides to keep her problems to herself.
Then something extraordinary happens: her drawings start coming to life. At first, Prune isn’t sure what to do with this strange and wondrous new ability. Should she keep it secret? Can she even control it? But when her brother finds himself in serious danger, Prune realises that her gift might be the key to saving him, and to holding her family together.
Ellie writes with warmth and insight, capturing the emotions of a young girl who feels invisible and overwhelmed. Prune’s magical ability is a clever metaphor for the hidden strengths children often carry, strengths that shine when they’re needed most. The story sensitively explores themes such as resilience, sibling relationships, bullying, the pressures of growing up, and the importance of speaking out when you need help.
With a relatable main character, a dash of magic, and a message about believing in yourself, The Wondrous Prune is both an entertaining and inspiring read.
Finally, for our oldest children, I’ve chosen All The Things That Could go Wrong by Stewart Foster, a powerful and moving story about friendship, empathy, and understanding others, even when they seem like the last person you’d ever get along with.
The story is told from the alternating perspectives of Dan and Alex, two boys with very different struggles. Dan is angry and lost after his older brother suddenly leaves home. Unable to process his emotions, he lashes out and begins bullying Alex. Alex, on the other hand, is dealing with severe OCD, which makes even getting to school a daily challenge, especially when he knows Dan and his mates will be waiting.
When their mums force them to spend the summer holidays together to finish building a raft Dan had started with his brother, both boys are horrified. But as the days go on, a reluctant truce begins to form. Through shared tasks, arguments, laughter, and the slow build of trust, both Dan and Alex begin to see that there are two sides to every story, and that friendship can sometimes grow in the most unexpected places.
Stewart handles difficult topics with great sensitivity and realism. The book explores mental health, grief, bullying, and family breakdowns in a way that is age-appropriate, honest, and deeply relatable. Both characters are well-rounded and believable, and readers will likely find themselves rooting for both of them by the end.
It opens up important conversations about kindness, mental health, and seeing beyond first impressions, making it a valuable read for both children and adults.
Happy reading!
Wellbeing Wednesday: Appreciation
Tips for wellness from our Mental Health In Schools Team
“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” – Robert Brault
Appreciation
Appreciation is a feeling of thankfulness or an act of recognising something that is important or meaningful to you.
We can appreciate or recognise another person through complementing them and sharing what you like about them. We can say ‘thank you’ to others when someone is helpful or supportive. This has benefits for both our mental health and for the people around us. We can also appreciate ourselves – you are important and unique! Remember to celebrate when you achieve big and small things and stop to appreciate what you have done.
Learning to appreciate others and ourselves can improve our self-esteem, improve our mood and improve our relationships with others.
Our tips for appreciation:
- Create a “be proud” board at home or at school where you post your drawings or good deeds.
- Start a gratitude journal – write or draw things that make you feel proud or happy every day.
- Give a compliment – think about a person who is important to you and tell them 3 things that you like about them. You could write a letter or a small note to let them know how much you appreciate them. Use these sentence starters to help you:
- I like how you…
- You are…
- Thank you for…
- You make me happy when you…
- Say ‘thank you’ – remember to thank other people throughout the day, to show them you appreciate what they do for you. If you have a friend who speaks another language, you could learn to say ‘thank you’ in the language that they speak. You could also learn to say ‘thank you’ in Makaton (sign language) too! Have a look at the video to help you!
- Self-appreciation – think of something small that you have achieved this week. Pause and take a minute to appreciate what you have done. Which of your positive qualities did you use? Kindness, thoughtfulness, curiosity, creativity?
Please contact [email protected] for information and advice about mental health and well-being for your child and your family.
Friday Library Recommendations: Poetry
Yesterday, poems filled the air,
National Poetry Day was everywhere.
With sonnets, haiku, verse in style,
Words to make you stop and smile.
To celebrate National Poetry Day yesterday, this week’s theme is poetry featuring a book to bring out your inner poet, and two verse novels.
First, I’ve chosen You’re A Poet by Sean Taylor, illustrated by Sam Usher, a heartwarming picture book is a wonderful introduction to the joy of poetry for children.
A collection of five gentle and engaging stories featuring Piglet, a curious and thoughtful little character who sees the world in a creative way, each one celebrates small but meaningful moments of childhood from jumping in puddles to daydreaming about being a cloud, while gently introducing a different kind of poem that readers can try for themselves.
The poems are cleverly woven into the stories, making the writing process feel natural and playful rather than intimidating. Readers are introduced to five poem styles: a puddle poem, a comparing poem, a making-a-person-out-of-something poem, an if-I-was poem, and an I-would-give-you poem. Each one is explained with simple guidance, making it perfect for budding poets.
Sam Usher’s charming illustrations bring Piglet’s world to life with warmth and humour, creating a cosy, inviting atmosphere that encourages readers to use their imaginations. The combination of storytelling and poetry makes this book both educational and enjoyable – a great way to help children express themselves creatively through words.
A perfect addition to any home or school bookshelf, it reminds children and grown-ups that poetry is for everyone, and that we all have the heart of a poet inside us.
Next, I’ve picked Wise up! Wise Down! by John Agard and JonArno Lawson, illustrated by Satoshi Kitamura, a book that will get both children and adults thinking, laughing, and asking big, and brilliantly silly questions!
In this imaginative and joyful collection, poets John Agard and JonArno Lawson embark on a poetic conversation that is both funny and profound. With questions like, “Do pigeons ever get a craving for cake?” and, “Why do days have names but not weeks?”, the book encourages readers to look at the world with curiosity and wonder. It’s a brilliant reminder that poetry doesn’t always have to be serious, it can be playful, puzzling and even a bit bonkers!
The poems are written as a dialogue between two friends, bouncing ideas off each other with warmth and humour. This unique style makes the book perfect for reading aloud, and can easily spark discussions or even inspire children to write their own poems in response.
Satoshi Kitamura’s illustrations are, as always, a delight. His quirky, expressive drawings perfectly match the tone of the poems and add an extra layer of charm and character to each page.
A fantastic way to introduce children to the joys of poetry, while reminding adults that wonder and imagination have no age limit, this is a poetry book that invites you to slow down, smile, and see the world in a wonderfully different way.
And finally, I’ve chosen Love That Dog by Sharon Creech. Written entirely in free verse, this short novel tells the story of Jack, a reluctant young writer who, with the encouragement of his teacher Miss Stretchberry, slowly discovers that poetry isn’t just something grown-ups write, it’s something he can write too.
At first, Jack doesn’t believe he can write poetry. He doesn’t understand why poems matter or how they work. But as the story unfolds, told entirely through Jack’s own writing, we see his confidence grow. Inspired by the poems he reads in class (all helpfully included at the back of the book), Jack begins to find his voice, and with it, the courage to write about something deeply personal: his beloved dog.
What makes this book so special is how simply and honestly it deals with big emotions. Jack’s journey shows children that poetry doesn’t need to rhyme or follow rules; it just needs to be true. Through humour, honesty, and heartbreak, Love That Dog demonstrates the power of words to help us understand and express feelings that are sometimes hard to say out loud.
This is a moving and beautifully written book that resonates with children and adults alike. Highly recommended for children, parents, teachers, and anyone who’s ever loved a dog.
Happy reading!
Wellbeing Wednesday: Persistence
Tips for wellness from our Mental Health In Schools Team
“It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer” – Albert Einstein
Persistence
Persistence is all about keeping going, even when times are challenging. It is normal to want to give up when you are going through something difficult, but if you can stick with it and overcome the obstacles, you will be closer to achieving your goals.
Having a growth mindset will help us persist, which means you believe you can learn, grow and develop your skills by putting in the hard work and practise. This can be tricky, so make sure you reach out to friends and trusted adults to support you.
Our tips for persistence:
- Break the goal down into smaller steps. You can set yourself smaller goals that are more achievable, to help you reach your ultimate goal. Make sure the smaller goals are linked to your ultimate goal; this may help to encourage you to keep going, as you will be able to measure your progress.
- Try something new – this could be a new hobby, sport, craft activity, or puzzle. Having a go at something new can help to develop your persistence, whilst also having fun. You might find it challenging at first, but you will receive a greater sense of reward and achievement by sticking with it!
- Positive self-talk – instead of saying “I can’t”, add “yet” onto the end of the sentence. This tells your brain that it might be difficult, but you will get there in the end.
- Talk to yourself like a friend – we are often kinder to our friends than we are to ourselves, when we go through challenging times. Practise talking to yourself like you would talk to a friend! What advice would you give if a friend told you they were rubbish at something? What would you say if they felt they wanted to give up?
- Practise mindfulness. A good way to improve our mental wellbeing is by paying more attention to the present moment and the world around us. Think about sounds and smells around you, what can you see, and how does this make you feel. By being more aware, this can improve our mental wellbeing and enable us to improve skills such as being persistent.
Please contact [email protected] for information and advice about mental health and well-being for your child and your family.
Friday Library Recommendations: Love
Today is International Love Note Day, so I have chosen books on the theme of love!
The first book I’ve chosen is L Is For Love by Atinuke, illustrated by Angela Brooksbank, a joyful and rhythmic picture book from award-winning author Atinuke, beautifully illustrated by Angela Brooksbank. This vibrant story takes young readers on a journey through rural West Africa all the way to the bustling city of Lagos, Nigeria.
Before the sun rises, the family sets off with lamps in hand and baskets balanced on heads, ready to take their luscious lemons to market. Their journey is anything but straightforward! They travel over fallen logs, hitch a ride on a rickety, leaky lorry, face a dramatic lightning storm, and even encounter wild animals like lions and leopards. At every turn, the story bursts with excitement and surprises, keeping children engaged and eager to find out what happens next.
The language is playful and musical, making it a delightful read-aloud. Children will love sounding out the alliteration and repeating patterns, and the use of rich vocabulary and descriptive phrases also opens up lovely conversations about travel, family life, and the geography of West Africa.
Angela Brooksbank’s bold and colourful illustrations bring every page to life, perfectly capturing the warmth, energy, and diversity of Nigerian landscapes and cityscapes.
Next, I have picked Love Is In The Little Things by Stella J Jones, and illustrated by Jane Massey, a heartwarming picture book that gently celebrates the small, everyday moments that show how much we care.
With tender words by Stella and soft, expressive illustrations by Jane, this is a perfect read for families who want to cherish the quiet magic of love in daily life.
The story follows Big and Small, a loving pair who may remind readers of a parent and child, grandparent and grandchild, or simply two people who share a deep bond. Together, they move through a series of simple, beautiful moments: blowing bubbles in the bath, sharing a quiet cup of tea, offering a hug, or saying ‘sorry’. Each page highlights how love isn’t always about grand gestures – it’s often found in kindness, connection, and care.
The rhyming text is gentle and soothing, making it ideal for bedtime reading or quiet time in the classroom. The rhythm is easy to follow and enjoyable to read aloud, helping to develop young children’s listening and language skills in a warm, emotionally supportive setting.
Jane’s illustrations add a lovely layer of warmth and tenderness. With soft pastel tones and expressive characters, each spread feels safe, comforting and familiar making it perfect for young children learning about feelings and relationships, and as a reminder of how powerful love can be, even in its smallest forms.
Finally, for our older children, I’ve chosen Charlie And Me: 421 Miles From Home by Mark Lowery, which is an emotional rollercoaster of a story celebrating the love between two brothers.
Martin and Charlie are on an epic journey to Cornwall, on their own. Having deceived their parents, the two set off with limited funds and no adults, and they know they will have to avoid discovery on their journey south. When Martin’s carefully laid plans collide with Charlie’s crazy behaviour, it’s a race against time to reach their final destination on time, without getting caught. But why is it so important?
Martin is a caring, thoughtful older brother to Charlie’s larger than life character, and the love he feels for him is clear. We see Martin’s hopes and fears in his poetry interspersed throughout their story, and the flashbacks give increasing importance to their current journey.
Beautifully written, Charlie And Me is a heartbreaking yet uplifting tale of brotherly love, exploring grief and mental health, within a gripping adventure that steadily builds tension, with laughs along the way, before the jaw dropping conclusion, which had me in tears. Martin’s poems are sprinkled throughout the story adding depth, emotion and understanding of the importance of the 421 mile journey.
Just beautiful!
Happy reading!
Wellbeing Wednesday: Strength
Tips for wellness from our Mental Health In Schools Team
“Kindness is not weakness; it is strength wrapped in grace,” – Anonymous
Strength
Each of us has a unique set of strengths and abilities that help us face life’s challenges. Focusing on your strengths doesn’t mean ignoring your weaknesses — it means using what you’re naturally good at to help you grow, build confidence, and work through tough times. In doing so, you move closer to living a more fulfilling and resilient life.
Our Tips for strength:
- Appreciate your strength – when you experience a difficult time, it’s easy to forget how strong you are! Try and remember other times in your life when you’ve got through something challenging. Remember how strong you were to get through those circumstances and know you have the strength to get through other difficulties too.
- Remind yourself “all we can do is try our best” and “you are good enough”.
- Being kind to others can help build our own strength as well as others! As a class, have a go at playing ‘kindness bingo’ by following this link: School Of Kindness
- Take Time to Rest and Recharge – your mind needs breaks just like your body. Take a few quiet minutes to breathe, read, draw, or go outside. That helps your brain feel strong and calm.
- Ask for Help When You Need It – being strong doesn’t mean doing everything alone. It’s smart and brave to ask for help – that’s how we grow and learn!
Please contact [email protected] for information and advice about mental health and well-being for your child and your family.