Ten books to calm and reassure children

Author Erika McGann recommends some favourite stories for a variety of ages.  

The Bedtime Boat by Sital Gorasia Chapman, illustrated by Anastasia Suvorova 

Chandan has had a busy day and is finding it hard to wind down at bedtime, so his mother places a toy boat on his tummy and tells him to watch as it rises and falls with his breath. At first, Chandan’s mind won’t be calmed; he imagines a great, big whale beneath the boat, pirates on the horizon and treasure-filled caves on the shore. But little by little the gentle motion lulls him to sleep. Gorgeously soft illustrations make this book a very comforting read. 

The Pain in My Chest, by Áine Murray, illustrated by Bronagh Lee 

In this moving story, a child’s anxiety gets in the way of all the fun things she wants to do – from grabbing hold of a stray balloon to enjoying her own birthday party. The pain in her chest (depicted as a furry worry that peeks mischievously over her shoulder throughout) holds her back until she is encouraged by her mother to talk about it. This book is filled with richly detailed, energetic illustrations, and is an uplifting lesson in the power of sharing your feelings.   

The Marvellous Doctors for Magical Creatures by Jodie Lancet-Grant, illustrated by Lydia Corry 

Ava’s dads are doctors who attend to all kinds of magical creatures, but when they’re unable to determine the cause of a unicorn’s gloom, Ava begins her own investigation. With warm, friendly illustrations, and plenty of fantastical beings to spot in the background, this story has a lovely message for kids who enjoy quieter pursuits and a little time alone.  

Dinosaur Pie, by Jen Wallace, illustrated by Alan O’Rourke 

After his mum buys a budget-friendly dinosaur pie (with classified ingredients), Rory morphs overnight into a strange, feathered dinosaur. Absurd scenes follow as Rory and his friends try to figure out how to turn him back.Hilarious illustrations complement Rory’s voice as he describes his ADHD in funny, accessible ways, and the characters’ mild obsessions with dinosaurs, YouTube and computer games will appeal to any kids who have felt the same.  

Ella on the Outside by Cath Howe 

Ella has just started at a new school. The stress of moving away from her home and her best friend, and having to keep a big family secret, is making her eczema worse. So when she is invited to a popular classmate’s birthday party, Ella is delighted. But her eagerness to keep her new friend makes Ella vulnerable, and when Lydia asks her to spy on quiet girl, Molly, in order to reveal any embarrassing secrets, Ella reluctantly agrees. A gripping story about standing up to peer pressure and letting go of shame imposed by others.  

Frankie’s World by Aoife Dooley 

Frankie doesn’t feel like she fits in. She talks too much, says the wrong thing at the wrong time, and seems to havenothing in common with most of her classmates. But Frankie’s way of approaching life with curiosity and humour turns the school year into a memorable saga – making new friends and fending off bullies, chasing down a birth father she has never known, and getting an autism diagnosis that offers her a whole new outlook. With bold illustration and lots of laugh-out-loud moments, this graphic novel is a fantastic read.  

Break the Mould: How to Take Your Place in the World by Sinéad Burke, illustrated by Natalie Byrne 

Activist and teacher, Sinéad Burke, uses her experiences as a little person to encourage everyone to enjoy and celebrate all the things that make us who we are. With inspirational stories about lesser-known heroes, and useful hints on building confidence and navigating tough situations, this book can help young readers to feel powerful and capable, and to findtrue value in the ways in which they differ from others. A joyful, empowering read.  

Boy in the Tower by Polly Ho-Yen 

This riveting sci-fi tale focuses on one boy’s experience as the city surrounding his tower block home is slowly demolished by a malevolent force. Ade feels cut off from the world even before the attack, having to care for his mother who is suffering from severe agoraphobia. But facing even greater loneliness as his neighbourhood collapses around him, Ade manages to find some resilience and hope. And when he meets other survivors, he learns just how far people are willing to go to save each other.   

Guts by Raina Telgemeier 

What begins as a tummy bug for Raina escalates into a terrible fear of throwing up. Soon every anxious moment in her life results in an upset stomach. It’s embarrassing and isolating, but when Raina finally opens up to her friends about her problem, she discovers that everyone has worries they keep to themselves. This compelling graphic novel based on the author’s own experiences perfectly captures how unspoken fears can grow and become overwhelming.  

It’s Not Okay to Feel Blue (and other lies): Inspirational People Open Up About Their Mental Health, curated by Scarlett Curtis

For young adult readers, this unflinching and extensive collection of essays on anxiety and other mental health issues is intense if read in one go, but dipping into it can provide reassurance in difficult times. The book covers a wide range of experiences (including many candid contributions by well-known names), so no matter how teenagers are feeling or how their anxieties manifest, they can take comfort in knowing they are not alone.  

Chasing the Shy Town by Erika McGann is out now.