The Butterfly House
by author-illustrator Harry Woodgate
Interest age: 4 to 7
Published by Andersen Press, 2025
About this book
When Holly meets the lonely old lady in the house at the end of the road, she decides to help her create a garden that butterflies will love. But Miss Brown doesn't feel well enough to leave her house, so Holly enlists the neighbours to help. Will a beautiful garden entice Miss Brown out, as well as the butterflies?
Full of compassion and warmth, this lovely story celebrates community and empathy. Harry Woodgate's gorgeously soft illustrations are full of expression, and showcase beautiful nature in all its colourful glory. The theme of mental health - and nature helping with this - runs through it, because previously Miss Brown has felt as if thorny branches have grown around her. But now she knows she's not alone. Heartwarming and moving.
More books like this
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Timid
by Harry Woodgate
5 to 9 years
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The Wonder
Author-illustrator Tom Percival
3 to 5 years
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Luna Loves Gardening
by Joseph Coelho, illustrated by Fiona Lumbers
4 to 9 years
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Flower Block
by Lanisha Butterfield, illustrated by Hoang Giang
4 to 7 years
Lists of recommended reads
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Picture books to support a healthy mind
We've put together a selection of picture books that can help young children to start to understand mental health and support a healthy mind. They include titles that touch on sadness, anxiety and finding courage and reassurance, and are books which can help to supply useful strategies and support a growth mindset.
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Books about community
As the wonderful Benjamin Zephaniah put it, 'people need people'. Humans thrive in communities. These books celebrate the power of working together towards a goal, and the joy in caring about each other. There are many different communities showcased in this selection.