PSHE Reading Wall by

carolebaker1 — 2024-01-18 08:27:58 UTC

'Once there was a girl whose life was filled with wonder at the world around her…

Then one day something happened that made the girl take her heart and put it in a safe place. However, after that it seemed that the world was emptier than before. But would she know how to get her heart back?

In this deeply moving story, Oliver Jeffers deals with the weighty themes of love and loss with an extraordinary lightness of touch and shows us, ultimately, that there is always hope'.

carolebaker1 — 2024-01-19 08:17:33 UTC

'This gorgeous picture book about feelings captures the many emotions two young siblings experience as they spend a day together.

Your body's full of feelings--like the tide, they ebb and flow. Sometimes they lift you high, and sometimes they bring you low. This heartwarming introduction to feelings follows a brother and sister as they navigate the highs and lows of being a kid. Lush illustrations alongside spare text depict everyday scenes kids will identify with. This gentle story in pictures offers a simple guide to life and the big feelings we can have in just one day, from fear to bravery, anger to peace'.

carolebaker1 — 2024-02-04 07:56:36 UTC

‘A heartfelt story about a playful young wolf and her best friend, Bear.

The two best friends always play together, whether it’s paddling in the stream, skidding in the snow, or tumbling in the falling leaves. But sometimes Bear feels sad and wants to be alone . . .

Wolf and Bear is a beautiful tale of kindness and hope, exploring the topic of depression. Authentic and sensitively illustrated, this picture book gently introduces young children to a topic which can often be difficult to discuss.’

carolebaker1 — 2024-02-04 08:01:26 UTC

‘One girl discusses the power of a smile and the many different smiles she gives to those around her throughout the day. There are soft, sleepy smiles that greet a new day; goofy smiles with her best friend; and even playful, supportive smiles, which help her sister when she’s feeling down. With charming text and bright full-color illustrations, this story shows the power and gift of a smile.’

carolebaker1 — 2024-02-11 07:54:14 UTC

‘Mole loves the hustle and bustle, laughter and excitement of being with her friends.

But sometimes she needs a little space for herself.

To stop and breathe. To think and rest.

Can she find a quiet place all of her own?

Maybe with a little help from her friends.

Sometimes everyone needs some space to be themselves. To refresh and reset. This warm and welcoming tale sensitively explores the needs of introverted children.’

carolebaker1 — 2024-03-06 11:19:43 UTC

His name is David. He’s the boy with flowers in his hair and he’s my best friend...

David is the boy with flowers in his hair. He’s sweet and gentle, just like his petals. But when David’s flowers begin to fall – a single petal at first, then every last blossom – his best friend never leaves his side. And through kindness and creativity, he even finds a way to give David his colour back…

Beautifully illustrated and sensitively told, this story is about being there for someone when they are at their most vulnerable, and brings to life a pure and poignant friendship that children will never forget.

carolebaker1 — 2024-03-06 11:21:58 UTC

‘Feeling happy is a wonderful thing! But do you ever feel sad or angry, frightened or shy? Everyone does sometimes, but with a little help from Sloth and the people you love, there is always a way to FIND YOUR HAPPY!’

carolebaker1 — 2024-05-20 12:13:59 UTC

‘Beautifully crafted compositions together with simple die-cut design, reveal the story of a child who feels as though all their colours have disappeared. Despite the joyful orange balloon, the huge yellow sun and the bright green trees, the child still feels grey. That is until a reassuring hand reaches out and shares words of kindness. Soon the child begins to see the warmth of colour again, and understands that their colours will always be there and that they will always be loved, whether they feel grey or sunshine yellow.’

carolebaker1 — 2024-05-20 12:17:20 UTC

‘Rabbit is SO excited to go fishing with Bear. But Bear's not feeling up to it. . . . He’s feeling low, like his pocket is full of sads that are weighing him down. Although Bear doesn’t know why he’s feeling this way, Rabbit is sure she can fix it!

Rabbit looks to the internet for advice, but none of the self-help tips seem to help. The friends try meditating, healthy eating, even a new hobby, only to learn that when it comes to having the sads, there’s no easy fix—except, maybe, friendship.

This tender picture book is the perfect primer to help children understand the heavy-hearted sadness that can come out of nowhere. And more importantly, it helps kids and adults be better listeners and more supportive companions to friends dealing with tough feelings.’

carolebaker1 — 2024-06-11 16:39:14 UTC

‘BEWARE the swirling, storming Crossodile!

Though Hayden Hill likes lots of things - like eating ice-cream, playing chess, and looking after his pet lizard - some things make him a bit, well . . . cross.

And when he can't stop himself from getting crosser and crosser, a rather strange thing happens - his little pet lizard turns into a giant snapping whirlwind of a CROSSODILE!

As his out-of-control Crossodile causes destruction everywhere it goes and terrifies his friends, Hayden realises that he can't keep letting it take over.

Can he figure out how to understand his anger and tame his Crossodile once and for all?’

carolebaker1 — 2024-07-03 06:46:05 UTC

'Meesha loves making things . . . but there's one thing she finds difficult to make - friends. She doesn't know quite what to do, what to say or when to say it. But one day she discovers that she has a special talent that might just help her navigate social situations - and maybe even make new friends.

A warm and affectionate look at the joys and difficulties of making and keeping friends, relating to others, and finding your place in the world.'

carolebaker1 — 2024-07-03 06:47:25 UTC

'Tilda's world is just as she likes it . . . until one day, it turns completely UPSIDE DOWN. All of a sudden, everything is topsy-turvy, and nothing feels right. Things that were once easy now seem incredibly challenging.

Can Tilda discover a new way to approach her problems and believe in herself?

Bold, bright and empowering, this is an inspiring story about coping with difficult situations. It's the ideal book for helping children to build resilience and embrace a 'can do' approach to life.'

carolebaker1 — 2024-07-03 06:48:36 UTC

'When Finn accidentally breaks his grandma's precious clock, he tells a teeny tiny little lie - and blames it on his sister instead! Soon, Finn's little fib is OUT OF CONTROL, and it's getting in the way of everything! Can he find a way to tell the truth?

This reassuring and humorous book is the perfect springboard for talking to children about the importance of honesty.'

carolebaker1 — 2024-07-03 06:49:54 UTC

'Bea CAN'T WAIT for her birthday. There are only three days to go, and everything is going to be PERFECT! Then snow begins to block the roads . and everything begins to go wrong. With no party, no cards, and maybe even no cake, can Bea find a way to be OK - even in the middle of a really BAD day?

This reassuring and funny book is the perfect springboard for talking to children about setting expectations and finding balance amidst disappointment.'

carolebaker1 — 2024-07-03 06:51:42 UTC

'Being a tiger is great fun at first - tigers can do ANYTHING they want! But who wants to play with a growling, roaring, noisy, wild tiger who won't share or play nicely? Ravi is about to discover something very important about expressing his feelings and making amends.'

carolebaker1 — 2024-07-03 06:53:33 UTC

'Meet Ruby -- a happy, curious, imaginative young girl. But one day, she finds something unexpected: a Worry. It's not such a big Worry, at first. But every day, it grows a little bigger . . . and a little bigger . . . . Until eventually, the Worry is ENORMOUS and is all she can think about.

But when Ruby befriends a young boy, she discovers that everyone has worries, and not only that, there's a great way to get rid of them too . . . she just has to share her feelings.

This perceptive and poignant story is the perfect springboard for talking to children about emotions and anxieties.'

carolebaker1 — 2024-07-03 06:54:41 UTC

'Ruby loves being Ruby. Until, one day, she finds a worry.

At first it's not such a big worry, and that's all right, but then it starts to grow. It gets bigger and bigger every day and it makes Ruby sad. How can Ruby get rid of it and feel like herself again?'

carolebaker1 — 2024-07-03 06:56:02 UTC

'Norman loves his new wings, and has the most fun ever trying them out high in the sky. But then he has to go in for dinner. What will his parents think? What will everyone else think? Norman feels the safest plan is to cover his wings with a big coat.

But hiding the thing that makes you different proves tricky and upsetting. Can Norman ever truly be himself?'

carolebaker1 — 2024-10-06 09:57:08 UTC

carolebaker1 — 2024-12-03 10:13:22 UTC

'A beautiful, gentle, rhyming exploration of grief and mourning.' – Joseph Coelho, Waterstones Children's Laureate 22-24

'The Hare-Shaped Hole is a beautiful, touching and poignant picture book that gently explores themes of grief and loss.

Hertle and Bertle were always a pair, though one was a turtle and one was a hare.

They were utterly buddies, and best friends forever, and whenever you looked, you would find them together... until quite unexpectedly... the end came. When Hertle disappears for good, Bertle can only see a Hertle-shaped hole where his friend should be. He pleads with it, get angry with it, but the hole still won't bring his Hertle back. It seems like hope is lost... until Gerda the kindly bear finds him.

She explains that he must fill the hole with his memories of Hertle. And slowly... Bertle begins to feel a little bit better.

Powerful and moving text from children's author and poet John Dougherty is paired perfectly with warm illustrations from the wonderfully talented Thomas Docherty in a thoughtful and sensitive approach to this difficult topic.

This moving picture book will be loved and treasured by children and adults alike. With kids, it can be used to start a gentle conversation about death and grief. And as a gift for a grieving friend, it’s the ideal gesture. Anyone who has lost a pet or loved one will be comforted by Bertle’s journey to acceptance and reassured by the fact that, eventually, things do get better.'

carolebaker1 — 2024-12-03 10:14:24 UTC

'Arlo visited Nana every Sunday, and she would always have new sweets waiting for him inside a special jar. So when Arlo finds out Nana has passed away, he keeps the jar with him to feel safe and closer to his Nana. But as his sadness turns to anger, a storm builds inside the jar, until Arlo has enough – and smashes it open! What will happen when the storm rushes out?

A story that encourages children to talk about bereavement and anger, and explore ways to manage, embrace, and safely release them. It also includes a science experiment, and a guide to make a ‘glitter jar’ to help with anger.'

carolebaker1 — 2024-12-03 10:15:38 UTC

'Parents, educators, therapists, and social workers alike have declared The Invisible String the perfect tool for coping with all kinds of separation anxiety, loss, and grief. In this relatable and reassuring contemporary classic, a mother tells her two children that they're all connected by an invisible string. "That's impossible!" the children insist, but still they want to know more: "What kind of string?" The answer is the simple truth that binds us all: An Invisible String made of love. Even though you can't see it with your eyes, you can feel it deep in your heart, and know that you are always connected to the ones you love. Does everybody have an Invisible String? How far does it reach? Does it ever go away? This heartwarming picture book for all ages explores questions about the intangible yet unbreakable connections between us, and opens up deeper conversations about love.'

carolebaker1 — 2024-12-06 07:48:20 UTC

'Muddles, Puddles and Sunshine offers practical and sensitive support for bereaved children. Beautifully illustrated, it suggests a helpful series of activities and exercises accompanied by the friendly characters of Bee and Bear. This book offers a structure and an outlet for the many difficult feelings which inevitably follow when someone dies. It aims to help children make sense of their experience by reflecting on the different aspects of their grief, whilst finding a balance between remembering and having fun. This book is a useful companion in the present, and will become an invaluable keepsake in the years to come.'

carolebaker1 — 2026-02-12 18:27:37 UTC

‘Some friends are real, some are imaginary, but all can help us find our voice. My Friend, Billy Whiskers is a charming celebration of friendship, bravery, and the little push we sometimes need to step into something new.

One day, while the other children play together, Patrick sits alone, but he isn’t really alone. His imaginary friend, Billy Whiskers, is always there, ready for bike rides, tree climbs, and magical adventures where Patrick’s worries can just disappear. But on this special day, with the help of Billy Whiskers, Patrick finds the courage to take a new adventure and say hello to real life children playing in the real life playground. Can you guess what happens next?’

carolebaker1 — 2026-02-12 19:15:24 UTC

‘My Shadow Is Pink is a beautifully written rhyming story that touches on the subjects of gender identity, self acceptance, equality and diversity. Inspired by the author’s own little boy, the main character likes princesses, fairies and things "not for boys." He soon learns (through the support of his dad) that everyone has a shadow that they sometimes feel they need to hide.This is an important book for a new generation of children (and adults alike) which exemplifies the concepts of unconditional love, respect and positive parenting.’