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.