As grown-ups understand, life is full of ups and downs. Building confidence and self-belief is a lifelong journey, but it is never too early to empower your child for this crazy, but fun, rollercoaster we call life!
We've put together a reading list of our favourite stories that nurture self-esteem, resilience, and problem-solving skills, helping young readers to believe in themselves and navigate the world with courage and curiosity, no matter what challenges they meet along the way. Now all you need to do is enjoy the ride!
A brand new title from award-winning author and illustrator, Kim Hillyard. In this book, we follow Frida, a musical moth who loves to rock out! But when the big light goes on and more moths appear, ready to rock-n-roll, Frida starts to feel that everyone is much better than her.
With the help of her Auntie Edna, Frida finds her confidence, picks up her purple guitar, and is ready to rock on once more!
A fun story to help any child lacking self-belief find their hidden star-like qualities and let them shine.
Follow Mirha on her first day of school. She can't wait to learn, play, and make new friends, but when her classmates mispronounce her name, she wonders whether she needs to find a new one.
Always on hand, Mama helps Mirha see just how special her name is for so many reasons. Together, they make a plan so Mirha can help her classmates say her name correctly. An empowering reminder for all of us to find the courage to celebrate our individuality, find our voice, and stand up for ourselves.
Florrie finds herself with two of everything; two brothers, two parents, two pets, and now two houses. Things are different and she starts to feel sad and confused but mum and dad reassure her that they are all still a family and help her feel settled and happy in her two new homes.
Author Phil Earle found his family in this situation when he and his wife divorced. It took a lot of adjusting for everyone so he wrote Two Places to Call Home to help other's with the anxiety and find confidence in their new normal.
You met Frida the Rock-n-Roll Moth earlier but now it's time for Gretel! Gretel is the last Woolly Mammoth left after cracking out of her icy shell. Her new bird friends think Gretel is awesome, but Gretel is feeling a little overwhelmed. Luckily, she is very brave and finds the courage to ask for help and her friends are only too willing to make her feel better.
This award-winning story encourages readers to find the confidence to ask for help and is a great reminder that any worry - woolly mammoth or otherwise — is best tackled together.
Which is more important – winning a race or being kind? That is the lesson Ned the hamster must learn in this adorable story from author and illustrator Kim Hillyard. Ned has been training for the Great Garden Hamster Race and is on a mission to win. But as he begins the race, he encounters some other critters who may need his help. Is he prepared to sacrifice glory for them? This heart-warming book will inspire readers big and small to always be kind and look after others.
Families come in all shapes and sizes, and there is no one right way to be a family. Author and educator Laura Henry-Allain explores this in her new book My Family, Your Family which looks at all the different types of families from lone parents and blended families to adoptive families. This educational and touching book celebrates all the different ways we can belong to a close-knit unit.
In this Topsy and Tim book, the twins learn to do the right thing when their friend is being bullied at school. They make the very sensible choice to speak to Mummy and Miss Terry to help Stevie Dunton feel happy again. This is a sweet and fun story to help guide parents and children alike through another ‘first experience’ and the importance of having the confidence to stick up for others.
Pow! by Neil Clark (2023)
Aah, Ooh and Eek have some very big worries that seem to follow them everywhere. They worry at school, at the park, at the swimming pool and they definitely get worried when it’s dark. But this trio are very lucky to have a good friend called Pow. Pow is excellent at listening to their worries and helping them to manage their feelings and fears. The loveable characters, rhyming text and vibrant artwork make this a perfect book to help children find their confidence and share their own worries.
Sometimes, people’s faces don’t always show how they are really feeling. Pablo is autistic so he expresses himself differently. In Pablo’s Feelings , Pablo’s mum thinks he doesn’t want to go to his cousin Lorna’s house because of the expression on his face. This is a sweet tale to remind everyone that we’re all different and that there are different ways for children to confidently express themselves.
A family of bunny brothers and sisters love their mum and always see how hard she works. She is starting a new job as a firefighter and needs some well-earned rest before the big day. So, her little ones decide to make her a breakfast of champions. But the delicious smell of pancakes begins to attract their neighbours, so the bunnies have to fend them off, so they don’t disturb mum! This sweet story is a wonderful celebration of hard-working mums.
Peppa Pig and her friends are learning how to share their feelings at playgroup as it is Wellbeing Week. They’re learning how to spot when friends are happy or sad, and Peppa comes up with a brilliant idea of how to spread kindness. This is another lovely tale that teaches children how to confidently share their emotions with others and the importance of being kind.
