Rachel Bright (Author), Chris Chatterton (illustrator), 2020

Worrysaurus has planned a picnic but a small butterfly is fluttering in his tummy, making him worry about 'what ifs'. What will he do? A short book with lovely illustrations which is ideal for helping younger children of 3 - 5 years understand what feeling anxious is and how to manage their worries.

Talya Bruck (Author), Jake Harris (illustrator), 2022

Gerry the giraffe is feeling worried about his father. His dad has not been spending much time with him and now he's wondering whether it's something he's done. Fortunately El the wise elephant and Leonard lion are able to help him find out what is really happening. A short story for young children which can help explain the behaviour of a parent with mental health difficulties and reassure them.

Chandra Ghosh Ippen, Erich Ippen Jr., 2021

Ellie's dad hasn't visited her and now Ellie is feeling sad and angry as she tries to understand why this has happened. Fortunately, Ellie's Uncle Finny and Miss K are here to help. Intended for younger children between 4 - 8 years, this short book uses a wave metaphor to help them grasp the concept of ups and downs connected to a parent's mental illness or addiction problems. It is also available as a 'Mama's Waves' version.

Francesca Sanna (Author, Illustrator), 2022

When the young girl at the centre of this story travels to a new country and a new school, she finds herself stopped from doing things because of her fear. How will she learn to fit in and make friends? A heart-warming story for younger readers helping to address worries of moving to new places, dealing with language barriers and managing everyday fears.

Michael Rosen (Author), Quentin Blake (Illustrator), 2011

An illustrated non-fiction journey of Michael Rosen coming to terms with the loss of his son and the complicated feelings it left him with. Brought to life by Quentin Blake's illustrations, this book tells it's story simply and sincerely in a moving way any age can appreciate. Ideal for addressing the topics of loss and grief with younger readers.

Chandra Ghosh Ippen, Erich Ippen Jr., 2020

Ellie's mum has not visited her as promised and left her feeling angry and confused. Why would she do this? Does she not really love her? Mama's waves is an alternative to Daddy's Waves focused on Ellie's mum and the effects of the mental illness she has on their relationship. Intended for younger children to help explain mental illness through the helpful metaphor of waves on the sea and to spark open conversations about the topic.

Angela Holloway, 2006

A young polar bear cub is struggling to understand his mother's behaviour lately. She's acting funny and he doesn't know why. Is it something he's done? Will it ever go away? This book is ideal for families with young children looking to answer basic questions about a parent who has Bipolar Disorder in an approachable way.

Kathy Hoopmann , 2017

Birds are graceful, beautiful creatures, but just like us they can get stressed and scared for all kinds of reasons! Using great photographs of various birds and a gentle sense of humour, Kathy Hoopman's book provides an accessible way for young children to relate to anxiety issues which may be affecting them or parent.

Talya Bruck (Author), Erin Cooper (Illustrator), 2021

A lion cub named Silo recently lost his grandfather to an illness and he's feeling very sad now. Fortunately, El the wise elephant is here and has words to support Silo through this difficult time. A sweet picture book ideal for young children who are seeking comfort following the loss of a family member or close friend.

Tom Percival, 2018

Ruby is normally a very happy girl, but she has a little worry that's started to follow her around and it's been getting bigger and bigger. She's started to feel sad now, but can she ever be rid of the worry? A great book to help children under 7 become more mindful of their mental health and how to manage it, using beautiful illustrations to tell its story.

Molly Potter (Author), Sarah Jennings, 2021

A picture activity book to help young children understand and manage various emotions, ‘How Are You Feeling Today?’ is ideal for under 7's created by PSHE and Early Years expert Molly Potter with illustrations from Sarah Jennings. A light hearted way for parents to help their children build emotional awareness.

Molly Potter (Author), Sarah Jennings (Illustrator), 2021

Another illustrated book for young children from Molly Potter and illustrator Sarah Jennings. 'What's Going On Inside My Head?' helps under 7's to explore ideas and feelings they may have in a healthy way, specifically touching on positive self-image, emotional intelligence and mindfulness.

Paul Christelis (Author), Elisa Paganelli (Illustrator), 2019

A compilation illustrated picture book featuring four stories about children struggling with their emotions, serving as a guide to children around 6 - 7 years on how to cope with these and gain increased confidence in their day to day life.

Katie Douglass (author), Mike Gordon (illustrator), 2019

Harry is always trying to stop people from getting angry; whether it's his dad being late for work, his sister being told she can't have a snack before tea or a classmate at school who won't share toys. But Harry can get angry too and now it's his turn to calm down and manage his feelings. Part of Katie Douglass' 'Feelings and Emotions'  series, this book is ideal for younger children to help them recognise and control their temper.

Tom Alexander, 2018

A recommended read by The Reading Agency under the England's national Reading Well Books on Prescription scheme, 'Sometimes I Feel Sad' is a very simple but moving illustrated book. Its straightforward storytelling and images are ideal for emphasising to younger children that they are not alone in feeling sad and that it is normal to express this feeling from time to time.

Elizabeth Laird (Author), Jenny Lucander (Illustrator), 2020

Amir has a monster under their bed! A big one with massive teeth and the growl of a Lion. What should he do? What if it tries to eat him? Fortunately, Amir's dad is here to help. Grobblechop's re-imagines a story by renowned 13th Century Sufi mystic Rumi as modern day illustrated fable about facing our fears.

Jeanne Willis (Author), Tony Ross (Illustrator), 2020

Goldilocks' online videos are getting loads of views and laughs, but she still wants more. Taking things further she goes into the woods, finds the cottage of the three bears and sets out to make some shocking new content. A internet age re-imagining of the classic tale, #Goldilocks is an ideal means to  raise young children's awareness of the dangers in chasing online approval.

Joseph Coelho (Author), Ms. Allison Colpoys (Illustrator), 2019

Using a seasonal metaphor and beautiful illustrations from Allison Colpoy, 'If All the World Were' examines the emotional impact of a grandparent on a child's life, their eventual loss and how their memory can live on within us.

Ali Redford, Kara Simpson (Illustrations), 2015

A young boy protects himself by hiding behind a wall, keeping out anyone he doesn't trust. However, a kind person begins to change all that, singing, bouncing a ball and painting on the wall's opposite side. A gentle illustrated story about overcoming traumatic experiences and slowly bringing down barriers to communication.

Pierre Rényi (Author), Summer Maçon (Illustrator), 2019

A girl thinks that her mum can be like a rollercoaster; excited and happy one moment, tired and quiet the next. Pierre Rényi's illustrated story helps young children clearly understand how bipolar disorder can manifest in a parent and how best to live with its effects on a family.

Louise Spilsbury (Author), Ximena Jeria (Illustrator), 2019

A picture book guide for young children explaining the facts about Autism in an approachable illustrated format, including tips and practical advice for everyday situations.

Louise Spilsbury (Author), Ximena Jeria (Illustrator), 2018

Part of the 'Questions and Feelings About' series, this picture book guide is designed to help young children and adults explaining to them about disability. The sweet illustrations and straightforward explanations open the way for empathetic conversations on the topic.

Virginia Ironside (Author), Frank Rodgers (Illustrator), 2011

Whether she's at home, at school or out playing, Jenny can't get away from a big blue bag full of worries. They're always there. She wants to get rid of them, but can she? Virginia Ironside's book takes a funny but heartfelt look at childhood worries and anxiety, helping to both reassure and open the way for conversations on mental health.

Melissa Moses (Author), Alison MacEachern (Illustrator), 2023

Strange things happen to Alex the alligator when he sees something scary. Sometimes it's 'The Destroyer' when he's angry, other times it's 'Puddles' when he becomes upset or 'Spacey' when he wants to get away, but Alex has also found new ways of coping that he'd like to show other people. An ideal resource for professionals and parents working with younger children who have trauma, covering various breathing techniques, games and safe space strategies to manage difficult emotions.

Beth Andrews (Author), Nicole Wong (Illustrator), 2002

Beth Andrews' book is designed to help younger children understand why a parent has depression and what that means, including explanation of symptoms, treatment and reassurance that it is not their fault. It also includes a variety of self-help tips for children and a drawing element to get involved with.

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (Author), Joe Weissmann (Illustrator), 2009

Alex's dad used to be a policeman, but ever since he stopped being one he's been acting very differently. He wonders about this depression his father has; is it contagious? Does his dad no longer care about him? Created in partnership with CAMH, this illustrated guide uses straightforward language to explain what depression is, how it's treated and what it means for a child.

Alex Winstanley (Author), Adam Walker-Parker (Illustrator), 2023

Using colourful illustration and rhyme, this book empathetically explains what having depression is like in a way young children can easily understand. Ideal for parents who are looking to open a conversation about this topic.

Dr. Karen Treisman (Author) Sarah Peacock (Illustrator), 2019

Gilly Giraffe has a great life, but sometimes she worries about how much her height makes her stand out compared to the other animals. Can she manage to find her confidence again? This activity book developed by child psychologist Dr Karen Treisman provides a story and creative activities to help boost young children's self-esteem.

Matt Haig (Author), Chris Mould (Illustrator), 2018

A sweet rhyming Christmas story about a pixie who can only say things which are true with an inspirational message about learning to love yourself.

Hannah Foley (Author), 2023

An intergenerational tale following the Linden family from 1884 to the present day. The Tiger Who Sleeps Under My Chair uses a dual-timeline story to explore family history and mental health through its central mystery. An ideal book for children over 7 who are interested in its topics.

Andrew Fusek Peters, Polly Peters (Authors), Karin Littlewood (Illustrator), 2015

A young boy who loves spending time with his father is troubled when his dad suddenly becomes distant and sad. He wonders whether he has done something wrong and tries to find answers. Featuring vibrant, expressive illustrations from award winning artist Karin Littlewood, The Colour Thief is an ideal way for children between 7 - 11 years to explore the topic of a parent or family member's depression.

Sally Harris (Author), Maria Serrano (Illustrator), 2018

Felix does a lot of odd things, from skipping steps to compulsively pairing objects or tapping on door handles before entry. He lives by a set of very specific rules. However, when the wild Charlie Pye joins his school everything changes. This gentle and funny story ideal for ages 7+ which explores OCD and Autism.

Frances Moloney, 2022

Jake is living with his grandma and older sister, but where has his mum gone? She's vanished and no one else seems to care. Determined to find answers, he sets out to find her. A heartfelt read for children over 7 exploring parental mental health and how it may cause absences within a family.

Stewart Foster, 2019

Felix is struggling to concentrate at school as his ADHD makes it hard for him to focus, with many just calling him lazy. However, when he begins to spend time with his granddad things change. An inspirational book for children over 7 who either have ADHD, a member of the family who does or wish to learn more about neurodiversity.

Sam Copeland (Author), Sarah Horne (Illustrator), 2019

Charlie McGuffin can transform into animals of all shapes and sizes but unfortunately, he can't control when it happens. Getting worried about his brother in hospital, parents and the school bully can set him off at any time. With the help of new friends, can Charlie get his power under control? A very funny book for younger children with encouragement in the face of stresses they might face at home and school.

Dawn Huebner (Author), Kara McHale (illustrator), 2019

When something terrible happens, either close to or far away from home it can be difficult to make sense of why it's happened, how to talk about it and how to stay positive. Something Bad Happened provides a flexible guide for children between 6-12 (and parents caring for them) to open conversations on the topic and cope with upsetting feelings related to it.

Jayde Perkin, 2019

An illustrated journey following a young girl's grief after losing her mum. Jayde Perkin's picture book gently and empathetically explores the subject of losing a parent, offering an uplifting and cathartic outlook to those who need it most.

Cindy Baldwin (Author), 2019

Twelve-year-old Della lives on a farm in North Carolina with her mother and father. Her daddy is struggling to save the farm, but she's most worried about her Mama who has been acting strange at night again just like four years ago. In an effort to cure her, Della travels to the Bee Lady to try and get some of her magic curing honey. A moving read ideal for children between 8 and 12 years focused on difficulties and feelings that may arise when a parent has paranoid schizophrenia.

Anna Claybourne, 2017

Part of the 'Healthy for Life' series, this guide book focuses on the trials 9 - 11 year olds may face as they grow up. It contains frank explanations and infographics on issues such as phobias, self harm and eating disorders along with methods to reduce stress, develop mindfulness and improve self esteem.

Dawn Huebner PhD (Author), Kara McHale (Illustrator), 2017

Ideal for 9+ year olds, young teenagers and their parents, Outsmarting Worry teaches skills using accessible language to help control day to day worries, managing anxiety and helping to facilitate a healthier, happier life.

Jane Lacey (Author), Venitia Dean (Illustrator), 2019

Dealing with Bullying collects seven stories on the topic, offering examples of a range of bullying problems children between 7 and 9 years may face at school. These stories teach children strategies to deal with bullying while also considering how peer pressure can inadvertently turn them into bullies under the wrong circumstances.

Zanib Mian (Author), Nasaya Mafaridik (Illustrator), 2019

Omar is an imaginative kid, but he's in a tough spot. He's moved house AND school at the same time. On top of that, a bully called Daniel seems to have him right in his sights. Can he make it to Eid without getting in trouble? The first book in the Planet Omar series, this is a perfect introduction for young reader's to the world of Omar. A fun book full of laughs, relatable struggles and heart.

Cath Howe, 2018

Ella has moved to a new town and school with her Mum. Her Dad isn't around at the moment and she's worried about her eczema, but suddenly things are looking up. The most popular girl in school - Lydia - has decided to become her friend, but is that really all there is to it? A thoughtful story on toxic friendships, bullying and body image issues ideal for 9 - 11 year old readers.

Susan Yarney (Author), Chris Martin (illustrator), 2013

Part of the 'Can I tell you about' series, Susan Yarney's guide book follows Ben; a young boy with ADHD who walks the reader through his experiences of living with the disorder. The book also covers learning about strategies which provide relief from symptoms and how others can be helpful.

The Students of Limpsfield Grange School and Vicky Martin (Author), 2015

A novel written collectively by Limpsfield Grange - a girl's school focused on support for Autism Spectrum Disorder and communication difficulties - the book tells the story of 'M', a young teenager with Autism who wants to be like the other girls around her and feel "normal". A funny but also empathetic book drawing on real life experiences of being neurodivergent.

Kathy Iwanczak Forsyth, 2017

Through use of imagery and colourful text, Kathy Iwanczak's guide book covers what dyslexia actually is, how it feels for those who have it, and how to cope with associated difficulties. It also embraces the positive side of having dyslexia, examining potential advantages such as increased literacy in design and outside the box thinking. An enlightening read on the subject for children over 7 and teenagers.

Jenny Pearson (Author), Rob Biddulph (Illustrator), 2020

After losing his grandmother, Freddie makes a discovery; his biological dad is alive in Wales. Armed with this knowledge he sets out on a wild journey with his friends Charlie and Ben that will lead to things he couldn't have imagined. A hilarious story about family with great illustrations, ideal for 9+ year olds and young teenagers.

Jenny Pearson (Author), Erica Salcedo (Illustrator), 2021

Lucy's mum has been really unhappy for a while now, but she's got a plan to change all that! Working with her best friend, Lucy is going on a TV show called Record Smashers and is doing just that! A laugh out loud funny story for 7+ year olds which also manages to touch on having a parent with depression.

K. L. Aspden, 2019

This book is a helpful guide for 11+ children and young teenagers to help them manage complicated, confusing or heavy emotions. It places particular emphasis on normalising feelings of anxiety along with ways to manage this through emotional awareness, building a sense of calm where it is needed most.

Sita Brahmachari (author) Jane Ray (illustrator), 2019

Amy May has a worry box she uses to manage webs of worries. She sees these with other people as well like her father and her refugee friend Rima. Can she help them? A story which is ideal for 11 - 12 year olds trying to make sense of complex emotions within themselves and those around them.

Alan Durant (Author), 2019

After losing his father, Dak is shocked when he re-appears a week later... as a clownfish at their local aquarium. Dak visits as often as he can and even befriends the owner's niece Violet, but trouble looms as the aquarium is threatened with closure. Can they work together to save it? A moving story for pre-teens helping them come to terms with loss in the family.

Michelle D. Sherman, Ph.D, DeAnne M Sherman, 2005

This three-part guide book has been written specifically for teenagers who live with a parent who has experienced trauma. Written in a straightforward manner, it can help them to make sense of a changing family environment through understanding of PTSD. It also includes a journal section to help them normalise their experiences and gain a sense of control over a turbulent home environment.

Anna Williamson (Author), Sophie Beer (Illustrator), 2019

Childline counsellor and therapist Anna Williamson's book is an ideal guide on mental health for young teenagers, offering immediate and useful advice on matters ranging across anxiety, stress, bullying, relationships and family pressures. Language is clear and direct while maintaining a warm tone to reassure young readers, all broken up with fun illustrations and diagrams.

Michelle D Sherman (Author), DeAnne M Sherman (Author), 2024

I'm Not Alone provides a guide framework for older children and teenagers who have a parent or guardian with a mental illness to develop practical skills in dealing with issues they may face. Includes coping tools grounded in research along with general encouragement for readers who are facing difficult times at home growing up.

Lucy Maddox, 2022

Featuring contributions from various academics, artists and celebrities along with Our Time Charity's own Antoinette Njoku and founder Dr Alan Cooklin; What is Mental Health considers how the title topic relates to our experiences, feelings and relationships while offering useful suggestions on how to manage them and find support. Ideal for older children and teenagers.