I am always very excited when I come across books that are a helpful resource to share at my speaking presentations at schools for parents and teachers.
The Five Mile Press has published a series of Big Hug Books written by Shona Innes, illustrated by Irisz Agocs.
Shona Innes is a Clinical & Forensic Psychologist with many years experience working with children, teens and adults who are worried, sad or naughty. Shona utilises research-based psychology treatments in ways that are responsive to a child’s age, understanding and needs.
The Playground is like a Jungle:
This story is filled with a variety of jungle animals, each with their own likes and dislikes as well as positive and negative personality traits. Through these characters, the reader can easily identify a variety of different behaviours and moods in the characters. It is the perfect discussion starter book for parents and teachers relating to real life emotions and situations that children often need to manage, with strategies encouraging understanding, tolerance and acceptance – all great strategies in promoting resilience skills.
The Internet is like a Puddle:
Addressing potential issues with children using the internet is quite a tricky topic but a necessary one in today’s world. This book gives children a simple outlook on how to stay safe while learning and playing on the internet. Comparing the internet it to a puddle, it explains that while it can look shallow on top, underneath, it is actually very deep. It is a book that can be used to help introduce the complexity of the internet and is a terrific conversation starter for both parents and teachers on this topic. It reminds us all about the need to play safe while playing in the internet puddle.
Life is like the Wind:
This beautiful book touches on the complexity of loss, death and grief. It shares emotions and a variety different explanations as to what happens when life has gone. A great resource to have on hand for families who experience loss in their life. The softness of the words and the lovely illustrations help take away the fear from the impact of death, providing an opportunity to talk about feelings and beliefs.
Friendship is like a Seesaw:
An endearing book with a focus on the ups and downs (like a seesaw) of being a friend, the need to fix problems and how these problems can sometimes affect us. It shares that relationships need balance, and experiencing highs and lows in a friendship is normal. There are helpful strategies to help deal with these times and ways to be a good friend, which are easily related to real life situations making it perfect to help discuss friendship issues that can arise for children.
I adore the characters and beautiful heart-felt illustrations that Irisz has developed throughout the four books of this series. There is a lovely flow with each story and the illustrations are consistently emotive and fresh. I think any child 4yrs + will thoroughly enjoy these books. Teachers and parents will also benefit from these books as they ignite valuable conversations with an opportunity to help children learn strategies to develop resilience and emotional well-being.
You can read about author Shona Innes HERE and illustrator Irisz Agocs HERE
Purchases can be made directly from The Five Mile Press or from all good bookshops.
Staying creative,
Nicky x
