Recommended reading for uncertain times
As we continue to live in difficult times, stories can be a way to help young and old to find understanding, reassurance and hope. As young children navigate unusual circumstances, sharing picture books can be a way to help with themes such as friendship, fear, loss, love and change.
Friendship
- The Smartest Giant in Town by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
- The Snail and The Whale by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
- Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers
- Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel
- Elmer by David McKee
- While We Can’t Hug by Eoin McLaughlin and Polly Dunbar (August 2020)
- Pip and Posy: The Bedtime Frog by Axel Scheffler
Worry
- The Worrysaurus by Rachel Bright and Chris Chatterton
- The Huge Bag of Worries by Virginia Ironside and Frank Rodgers
- Owl Babies by Martin Waddell and Patrick Benson
- Ruby’s Worry by Tom Percival
Loss and bereavement
- A Stone for Sascha by Aaron Becker
- No Matter What by Debi Gliori
- The Heart and The Bottle by Oliver Jeffers
- Goodbye Mog by Judith Kerr
- The Goodbye Book by Todd Parr
- My Many Coloured Days by Dr Seuss
- Badger’s Parting Gifts by Susan Varley
Change
- Yoga Babies by Fearne Cotton and Sheena Dempsey
- Little Boat by Taro Gomi
- The Colour Monster by Anna Llenas
- Winnie The Pooh by A.A. Milne and E.H. Shepherd
Love and kindness
- Sharing a Shell by Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks
- The Magic Paintbrush by Julia Donaldson and Joel Stewart
- Dogger by Shirley Hughes
- Horton Hears a Who! by Dr Seuss
- Kind by Axel Scheffler and Alison Green
- Because Amelia Smiled by David Ezra Stein
We hope these themed booklists will be a resource for the time ahead, in settings or at home.
What a great list of books. I will definitely be buying most of these.