> Skip to content

Article  •  3 May 2021

 

Good Books about Tough Topics

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.

Featured Titles

My Elephant Is Blue
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 . . .
Read more
My Journey Starts Here
A pretty yet practical guided journal for personal reflection and working on your mental well-being.
Read more
DOT
A little book to help anyone (big or small) take a moment and some nice, deep breaths.
Read more
It's Not OK to Feel Blue (and other lies)
An anthology of writing from inspirational people on what mental health means to them
Read more
Stand By Me: Helping Your Teen Through Tough Times
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.
Read more
Charlie Changes Into a Chicken
The first in a sidesplitting new series about a boy who keeps changing into animals. Perfect for fans of David Walliams and Kid Normal.
Read more
See Ya, Simon
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.
Read more
Wonder
A special tenth anniversary edition of the unforgettable, life-affirming and internationally bestselling novel starring August Pullman - a boy who's desperate to blend in, but is destined to stand out.
Read more
Stop Surviving Start Fighting
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.
Read more

More features

See all
Article
10 must read books for children under 5!

Filled with adventure, inspiration and humour, these books are sure to take little readers and their imaginations to new and fantastic places!

Article
A sneak peek at our 2021 kids books!

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.

Article
Self-care Suggestions with Anxiety NZ

Inspired by DOT, Anxiety NZ asked their supporters to share some self-care tips that help them manage stress.

Article
Real readers review: Charlie Changes into a Chicken

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:

Activity
30 days of gratitude from My Journey Starts Here

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. 

Article
Easy, last-minute Halloween costumes for kids

These easy last-minute Halloween costumes are easy to DIY but still look great. So cute, you’ll forget they’re homemade from clothes and materials you already have.

Article
What tramp you should do based on your tramping personality

Whether you're a speed demon or a leisurely wanderer Wild Walks Aotearoa has the perfect tramp for you!

Article
Great Activities for the School Holidays

In need of some activities to keep the kids busy these school holidays?

Article
Get a free Penguin Books figurine this Bookshop Day

Find out how to get a free Penguin Figurine this to celebrate Aotearoa NZ Bookshop Day on 12 October 2024

Article
Printable Penguin Black Classics list

Catch up on the classics with this printable list. How many have you read?

Article
Top Reads for September

Look to the past with nostalgic fiction, to the future with insightful non-fiction, or catch a thrill with some of our top reads for September

Article
Who are you voting for in New Zealand Bird of the Year?

Now the team at Penguin Random House may be biased towards a particular penguin alliance... but that doesn't mean that there aren't some wonderful other birds to vote for.

Looking for more articles?

See all articles