Figuring out how to talk to children about difficult emotions can sometimes feel impossible. Books can offer a good gateway to starting these conversations. Here are some books that might help you to navigate those tricky topics.
My Elephant Is Blue Melinda Szymanik, Vasanti Unka
An award-winning, quirky story about a child who is stuck carrying around an elephant, wondering if they will ever feel light and free again . . .
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My Journey Starts Here Jazz Thornton, Genevieve Mora
A pretty yet practical guided journal for personal reflection and working on your mental well-being.
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It's Not OK to Feel Blue (and other lies) Scarlett Curtis
An anthology of writing from inspirational people on what mental health means to them
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Stand By Me: Helping Your Teen Through Tough Times John Kirwan
Charting John Kirwan's personal experiences as a father, and featuring the real voices of young people today, Stand By Me investigates issues around teenage mental health, with a focus on depression and anxiety.
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Charlie Changes Into a Chicken Sam Copeland
The first in a sidesplitting new series about a boy who keeps changing into animals. Perfect for fans of David Walliams and Kid Normal.
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See Ya, Simon David Hill
Funny, moving and devastatingly honest, See Ya, Simon is a New Zealand favourite that has won several awards and has been translated into seven languages. A must read for all teenagers.
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Stop Surviving Start Fighting Jazz Thornton
A hard-hitting, thought-provoking account of surviving suicide attempts and moving on to a better life, which provides practical help and inspiration to anyone affected by depression or suicide.
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Filled with adventure, inspiration and humour, these books are sure to take little readers and their imaginations to new and fantastic places!
After an exhausting and unusual 2020, we’ve got plenty of reasons to be grateful for a new year, not least because of the stellar line up of children’s books we have coming your way over the next few months!Read on for a sneak peek at some of the best new children’s books we’re bringing to you in 2021.
Inspired by DOT, Anxiety NZ asked their supporters to share some self-care tips that help them manage stress.
We asked young Kiwi readers all over NZ to read and review Sam Copeland’s side-splitting debut junior fiction novel – here’s what they had to say:
Practising gratitude is scientifically proven to make you happier. Use the prompts in this download to help you fill out the table of all the things you are grateful for.
What do NZ YA fans really think of Karen McManus' latest book?
Turn reading over the summer into a game! Download and print off our book bingo sheet for inventive ways to enjoy a story and try different genres. Read under a tree; read a non-fiction book, visit a library; are you up to the challenge?
The bestselling author of Gifts of Imperfection and Dare to Lead on the vastness of human emotion.
Five students get detention, only four leave alive. How far would you go to protect your secrets?
From Earth’s very origins, weather has exerted its mercurial influence and shaped the world we know. Wielding tempests and storms, weather has the power to disrupt and destroy; yet at its most gentle, it can relieve and restore.
He kept trying new things, experimenting and, most importantly, he kept making stuff. Creative, unusual and funny stuff. Eventually, Taika thought he’d try to make a short film . . .
Hirini never thought he would become a musician. He couldn't read music, but he was good at listening and very dedicated, so he taught himself.