Therapeutic stories

Hug Me - (3-8yrs)

Hug Me tells the story of Felipe, a little cactus who longs for closeness but has learned to keep his distance to stay safe. When his attempts to connect don’t go as planned, he retreats further into himself — until an unexpected friendship helps him feel seen, understood, and brave enough to try again. It’s a warm, reassuring book that supports children to explore themes of connection, boundaries, and the courage it takes to trust.

I Love You Stinky Face - (3-9yrs)

I Love You, Stinky Face follows a little boy who keeps imagining himself as all sorts of strange, wild, and messy creatures — a smelly skunk, a slimy swamp monster, a ferocious dinosaur. Each time, he asks his mother whether she would still love him if he became something so scary or unpleasant. Her answer is always the same: she would love him no matter what.

This playful, reassuring story helps children explore unconditional love, safety, and the comfort of knowing they are cherished exactly as they are.

The Kissing Hand - (3-9yrs)

The Kissing Hand is a gentle story that reassures children that a caregiver’s love stays with them, even when they’re apart. The simple ritual of a kiss in the palm offers comfort and confidence during new or difficult moments.

For children with trauma or attachment insecurities, this story provides a symbol of connection, helping ease separation anxiety and strengthen feelings of safety and trust.

The Invisible String - (4-10yrs)

The Invisible String introduces children to the comforting idea that we are always connected to the people we love, even when we’re apart. Through the image of an invisible string that links hearts together, the story helps children understand separation, belonging, and emotional closeness.

It’s a gentle, reassuring book that supports conversations about anxiety, transitions, loss, and the enduring nature of loving relationships.

The Frog Who Longed for the Moon to Smile - (4-10yrs)

The Frog Who Longed to Smile at the Moon follows a lonely little frog who dreams of sharing a smile with the moon but feels too small and unsure of himself to try. As he searches for courage, he discovers kindness, encouragement, and the realisation that even the smallest creatures can shine brightly in their own way.

It’s a gentle, hopeful story that helps children think about self‑worth, bravery, and finding comfort in connection.

The Boy Who Built a Wall Around Himself - (4-10yrs)

The Boy Who Built a Wall Around Himself is a tender, emotionally attuned story about a child who builds an imaginary wall to feel safe after difficult experiences. The wall keeps out connection as well as danger, and through steady kindness the people around him help him feel safe enough to let others in again.

It’s a supportive way to talk with children — especially those with attachment insecurities — about trust, emotional safety, and healing.

I Don't Care - (4-9yrs)

I Don’t Care follows two children who insist they don’t care about each other at all — until their feelings start to show through the cracks. As they navigate jealousy, pride, friendship, and the fear of being vulnerable, they slowly discover what it means to care, even when it feels risky to admit it. It’s a thoughtful, gently humorous story that helps children explore emotions, relationships, and the courage it takes to be honest about how we feel.

The Bad Seed - (5-11yrs)

The Bad Seed tells the story of a seed who believes he’s “bad” because of the way he behaves — he’s grumpy, rude, and never follows the rules. But underneath all that, he’s actually hurting from a frightening experience in his past. One day he decides he wants to change. It’s not easy, and he doesn’t become perfect, but he starts making small, brave choices to be kinder.

This funny, thoughtful story helps children understand behaviour, self‑image, and the idea that anyone can grow and change with patience and support.

The Worrysaurus - (3-7yrs)

The Worrysaurus follows a little dinosaur whose day is interrupted by a flurry of “what ifs” that grow bigger and heavier the more he tries to manage them alone. With gentle reassurance and a few grounding strategies, he learns how to calm his thoughts and enjoy the moment again. It’s a supportive story that helps children understand worries, feel safer sharing them, and build confidence in managing anxious feelings.

My Monster & Me - (3-7yrs)

In My Monster & Me a young boy is followed everywhere by a big, heavy monster that represents his worries. It makes everyday things feel harder, until he begins to talk about how he feels — and the monster slowly shrinks.

This gentle story helps children understand anxiety and shows that worries become easier to manage when they’re shared.

The Koala Who Could - (3-9yrs)

Kevin the koala loves things to stay exactly the same, but his fear of change keeps him stuck in his tree. With gentle encouragement from his friends, he discovers that trying something new can lead to joy rather than worry.

A reassuring story about courage, flexibility and stepping outside your comfort zone.

The Huge Bag of Worries - (4-10yrs)

The Huge Bag of Worries follows a young girl who carries an ever‑growing bag filled with all her fears and anxieties. The more she tries to manage it alone, the heavier it becomes — until a caring adult helps her unpack what’s inside.

It’s a warm, accessible story that supports children to understand their worries, share them safely, and feel less overwhelmed.

Hey Warrior - (5-12yrs)

Hey Warrior introduces children to the idea that anxiety is driven by a powerful, protective part of the brain that sometimes works a little too hard. Through clear, child‑friendly explanations and expressive illustrations, it helps young readers understand what their body is doing, why it feels that way, and how they can regain a sense of control.

It’s an empowering guide that gives children practical tools to manage big feelings and feel braver in everyday moments.

Be More Bernard - (3-7yrs)

Be More Bernard follows Bernard the bunny, who realises he doesn’t want to blend in with the crowd anymore. Instead of copying what everyone else does, he begins to explore what makes him feel joyful, brave, and uniquely himself. His confidence inspires others to celebrate their own individuality too. It’s a playful, uplifting story that encourages children to embrace who they are and feel proud of what makes them different.

My Shadow is Pink - (4-10yrs)

My Shadow is Pink follows a young boy whose shadow reveals a part of himself that doesn’t match what others expect. Though he feels pressure to hide it, his family’s love and acceptance help him embrace who he truly is.

It’s an affirming story that supports children to explore identity, self‑expression, and the safety of being accepted as they are.

Home of the Wild - (4-9yrs)

Home of the Wild follows a boy who discovers an injured fawn in the forest and brings her home to care for her. As she grows stronger, he becomes deeply attached — but he also knows that her true home is the wild. When the time comes, he must make the brave and loving choice to let her go.

This gentle, beautifully illustrated story explores compassion, attachment, and the bittersweet courage it takes to do what’s right for someone you love.

The Heart and the Bottle - (4-9yrs)

The Heart and the Bottle follows a curious, joyful girl who shuts her heart away after experiencing a painful loss. Although the bottle keeps her feelings protected, it also distances her from the wonder and connection she once loved.

As she grows, she discovers that opening her heart again — even though it’s scary — allows warmth, creativity, and closeness to return. It’s a thoughtful, visually rich story that helps children explore grief, emotional withdrawal, and the slow, brave process of letting feelings back in.

The Memory Tree - (4-10yrs)

The Memory Tree tells the story of a fox who grows old and dies, leaving his forest friends heartbroken and unsure how to go on without him. As they gather to share their favourite memories, a beautiful tree begins to grow — nourished by their love, stories, and connection.

Over time, the tree becomes a place of comfort and togetherness, helping the animals understand that the bonds they shared continue even after loss. It’s a gentle, symbolic way to explore grief, remembrance, and the healing power of community.

The Day the Sea Went Out and Never Came Back - (5-11yrs)

The Day the Sea Went Out and Never Came Back tells the story of a young sea creature whose beloved sea suddenly disappears, leaving him frightened, lonely, and unsure how to cope with the loss. As he slowly adapts to his new world, he discovers small moments of hope, connection, and resilience that help him feel safe again. It’s a gentle, symbolic exploration of trauma, grief, and recovery, offering children a way to understand overwhelming experiences through metaphor.

Share a Story: An Intergenerational Reading Guide

The guide below presents a curated list of intergenerational children’s books for ages 0–12, highlighting stories that show meaningful relationships between older adults and young children. It includes picturebooks, graphic novels, and non‑fiction titles that explore themes such as grandparent–grandchild bonds, dementia, memory, grief, cultural heritage, imagination, and shared adventures.

Each book entry includes a short review and age recommendation, featuring titles like Travels with My Granny, Bird House, The Longest Strongest Thread, My Nana’s Garden, The Tide, Grandad’s Camper, Shu Lin’s Grandpa, Ocean Meets Sky, Me and Mrs Moon, and many more. The collection emphasises positive, diverse, and realistic portrayals of older adults, offering a rich set of stories to spark conversations about ageing, connection, and the value of intergenerational relationships.