Picture Books

Sherman Smith saw the most terrible thing happen. At first he tried to forget about it, but soon something inside him started to bother him. Link to purchase

Libby Gleeson & Freya Blackwood Amy and Louis live next door to each other, and their lives are closely intertwined. Theirs is a life rich in imagination-they see dragons in the clouds and make castles out of cardboard. But when Amy’s family moves to another country, the children are separated and the colour drains out…

This beautiful picture book takes children on a journey through emotions associated with anxiety and shows simple yet effective ways to help manage them. It has also been translated into Te Reo Māori by the talented Dr Karena Kelly. It isn’t a straight translation but is in keeping with the deeper meaning of the book…

Written by Christopher Cheng. Illustrated by Stephen Michael King. Bear and Rat are the best of friends who do everything together, but Rat wonders if Bear will always be there to hold her hand, no matter what happens A powerful and uplifting story about loving friendship, even through the hardest of times. The author provides…

Written by Bryan Mellone. Illustrated by Robert Ingpen. “A gentle, heartfelt and comforting guide to help children navigate the wonders of existence, from the joyful beginnings to the peaceful endings. Have you ever wondered why a butterfly lives for only a few weeks? Or why a tree lives for hundreds of year? You may have…

Scott Stuart Heart loves puppies, and chocolate, and rollercoasters, and dancing along to music. Brain likes lists, and broccoli, and safety rails, and wearing sensible clothing. But, most of all, Brain likes always being right. A thoughtful and heartwarming story about being true to yourself, by bestselling picture-book creator, Scott Stuart. Link to purchase

Written by Shona Innes. Illustrated by Írisz Agócs. “Friendship is a very special thing. It’s great to have a friend, and being a friend to someone else is a good feeling, too. Sometimes getting along with your friends is easy, and other times it can be a little trickier, but there are lots of ways…

Written by Robie H. Harris. Illustrated by Jan Ormerod. One morning a boy finds that his pet, Mousie, won’t wake up. The truth is Mousie has died. At first the boy doesn’t believe it. He gets very mad at Mousie for dying, and then he feels very sad. But talking about Mousie, burying Mousie in…

Laura Shallcrass This is the story of Hare, who struggles with an un-named mental malady self described as ‘noise’. Noise could be runaway thoughts, voices in Hare’s head, or loud feelings and general anxiety. Hare goes on a journey to try and find a solution. Just when Hare thinks there’s no hope a friend, Ruru,…

Written by Susan Verde. Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds. The fourth board book in the bestselling I Am series by Susan Verde and Peter H. Reynolds Explores many aspects of love that can help one weather any storm, including that love is comfort, effort, connection, and taking care of oneself.” Link to purchase

Written by E.E. Cummings. Illustrated by Mati McDonough. I Carry Your Heart With Me is a children’s adaptation of the beloved E. E. Cummings poem, beautifully illustrated by Mati Rose McDonough. Showing the strong bond of love between mother and child, within nature and throughout life, Cummings’s heartfelt words expressed through McDonough’s lovely illustrations combine…

Hans Wilhelm A gentle and moving story about losing a friend, and the importance of always expressing your love. Elfie the dachshund is the best dog anyone could every ask for. Every day, she and her owner explore and play together. And every night, her owner tells her “”I’ll always love you.”” Elfie owner grow…

Written by Jo Witek. Illustrated by Christine Roussey In My Heart explores emotions–happiness, sadness, bravery, anger, shyness and more. Unlike other feelings books that tend to oversimplify, In My Heart lyrically explains what an emotion feels like, physically, inside. For example: “When I get really angry, my heart feels like it’s going to explode! Don’t…

Alison Lester Part poem, part lullaby, this gentle story celebrates a baby’s wonder at our beautiful world. From Australia’s favourite picture-book creator Alison Lester comes a timeless book to share and to treasure. Link to purchase

Written by Oliver Jeffers “A magical story from award-winning international bestselling picture book creator, Oliver Jeffers There once was a boy… and one day a penguin arrives on his doorstep. The boy decides the penguin must be lost and tries to return him. But no one seems to be missing a penguin. So the boy…

Written by Kazumi Yumoto. Illustrated by Komako Sakai. “A picture book with delicate illustrations that explains the path of grief, ending with the uplifting new beginning of a budding friendship based on understanding. When the little bird dies, his friend the bear is inconsolable. Full of grief, he locks himself in his house and ventures…

From an award-winning designer comes an original fable about need and loss. Link to purchase

John Dougherty and Thomas Docerty The Hare-Shaped Hole is a beautiful, touching, and poignant picture book which gently explores themes of grief and loss. Hertle and Bertle were always a pair, though one was a turtle and one was a hare. They were utterly buddies, and best friends forever and whenever you looked, you would…

Written by Chris Gurney. Illustrated by Lael Chisolm. It smells like sunshine. It sounds like whispers. It looks like rainbows … It feels like love. Nana made hug blankets for all her family. Each one was special. We love our Nana. A joyful story of family, love and loss but above all else, love. Link…

The perfect tool for coping with all kinds of separation anxiety, loss, and grief. Link to purchase

Cori Doerrfeld In The Rabbit Listened we know that Taylor has been through a very difficult time. And now he is surrounded by concerned friends who each tell him how he should feel and what he should do to start feeling better. But it is not until they have gone and a little rabbit comes…

Jessica Urlichs & Rebekah Ballagh Experiencing emotions and learning what they mean can be a challenge for kids. From social media sensations Jessica Urlichs and Rebekah Ballagh comes an accessible and engaging rhyming picture book that illuminates the rainbow of feelings that live in our heart. Includes helpful notes and conversation starters for parents, guardians…

Written by Liv Downing. Illustrated by Mel Matthews. You are Loved is a beautiful and reassuring celebration of unconditional love. Cut outs on each page create a beautiful heart to make this book a very special object to treasure and share. You are loved when you win the race. You are loved when you don’t….