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Children become strong in their social, emotional and mental wellbeing

Building confidence, managing emotions and forming friendships

27 books for this outcome

View details for A Pair of Pears and an Orange
A Pair of Pears and an Orange book cover

A Pair of Pears and an Orange

by Anna McGregor

Ages 3-6 years

When a pair of pears are joined by an orange, they worry there isn't room for everyone. A gentle story about friendship dynamics and the joy of including others.

Emotions Friendship Problem Solving
View details for After the Fall
After the Fall book cover

After the Fall

by Dan Santat

Ages 4-8 years

Humpty Dumpty is afraid of heights after his fall, but he must overcome his fear to pursue his dream of flying. A story about resilience and facing your fears.

STEAM Problem Solving Persistence Courage and Bravery Resilience Emotions Responsibility
View details for Amy and Louis
Amy and Louis book cover

Amy and Louis

by Libby Gleeson Illustrated by Freya Blackwood

Ages 5-8 years

Amy and Louis live next door to each other. They build towers together and dig holes together. They do everything together…until Amy moves away and the colour drains out of their lives. Then Louis discovers how to rebuild their special bond. A touching story about friendship that transcends distance and the power of connection.

Friendship
View details for Florette
Florette book cover

Florette

by Anna Walker

Ages 4-8 years

When Mae moves from her country garden to a concrete city apartment, she feels lost without her green world. With patience, determination, and a few seeds, she discovers that even the smallest urban spaces can bloom with life and possibility.

Environment and Sustainability Friendship Resilience
View details for I Am One - A Book of Action
I Am One - A Book of Action book cover

I Am One - A Book of Action

by Susan Verde Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds

Ages 4-8 years

When a small child wonders how they can make a difference in such a big world, a wise bird shares the secret of starting with just one—one seed, one step, one stroke of paint, one note. A reminder that even the smallest among us can create meaningful change.

Family and Community Growth Mindset Responsibility Self Identity
View details for Koala Lou
Koala Lou book cover

Koala Lou

by Mem Fox Illustrated by Pamela Lofts

Ages 3-8 years

Koala Lou loves hearing her mother say 'Koala Lou, I DO love you!' but as her family grows, she hears it less often. She enters the Bush Olympics hoping to win her mother's attention back, learning that love doesn't need to be earned. A touching story about family bonds and the reassuring truth of unconditional parental love.

Animals Australia Family and Community Emotions
View details for Lost and Found
Lost and Found book cover

Lost and Found

by Oliver Jeffers

Ages 3-7 years

There once was a boy and one day a penguin arrives on his doorstep. The boy decides the penguin must be lost and tries to return him. A touching story about friendship, understanding, and discovering that sometimes what we think others need isn't what they actually need.

Friendship Empathy and Kindness Animals Problem Solving
View details for Mr Tiger Goes Wild
Mr Tiger Goes Wild book cover

Mr Tiger Goes Wild

by Peter Brown

Ages 3-7 years

Mr Tiger is tired of being proper and polite, so he decides to go wild! A story about being true to yourself and finding the balance between fitting in and being authentic.

Animals Self Identity Growth Mindset
View details for Owl Babies
Owl Babies book cover

Owl Babies

by Martin Waddell Illustrated by Patrick Benson

Ages 2-6 years

Three owl babies wake up to find their mother gone and must comfort each other while waiting for her return. This gentle story addresses separation anxiety and provides reassurance about parental love and return.

Family and Community Emotions Resilience Courage and Bravery Animals
View details for Stanley Paste
Stanley Paste book cover

Stanley Paste

by Aaron Blabey

Ages 4-7 years

Stanley Paste is small. Really small. And he hates it. But when a new girl arrives at school, Stanley learns that perhaps being small is not so bad after all. A touching story about self-acceptance and discovering that our perceived weaknesses can actually be strengths.

Self Identity Friendship Empathy and Kindness
View details for The Colour Thief
The Colour Thief book cover

The Colour Thief

by Gabriel Alborozo

Ages 4-8 years

A greedy thief steals all the colors from the world, leaving everything gray and dull. When he realises what he has done, he must learn about sharing and generosity to restore color and beauty to the world.

Empathy and Kindness Emotions Friendship Responsibility
View details for The Heart and the Bottle
The Heart and the Bottle book cover

The Heart and the Bottle

by Oliver Jeffers

Ages 4-8 years

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. A gentle story about grief, healing, and rediscovering the wonder in life.

Emotions Family and Community Problem Solving
View details for The Very Brave Bear
The Very Brave Bear book cover

The Very Brave Bear

by Nick Bland

Ages 3-7 years

Boris the bear thinks he's very brave until he encounters something that truly scares him. A reassuring story about true bravery and the support of friendship in overcoming our fears.

Animals Courage and Bravery Emotions
View details for The Whale Who Wanted More
The Whale Who Wanted More book cover

The Whale Who Wanted More

by Rachel Bright Illustrated by Jim Field

Ages 3-8 years

Humphrey the whale thinks bigger is always better and wants everything in the ocean for himself. When his greed leads to loneliness, he learns that sharing and contentment bring true happiness and friendship.

Friendship Emotions Animals
View details for Thelma the Unicorn
Thelma the Unicorn book cover

Thelma the Unicorn

by Aaron Blabey

Ages 3-7 years

Thelma the pony wishes she was a unicorn, and when her wish comes true, she learns that being yourself is more important than being famous. A delightful story about authenticity, friendship, and learning that true happiness comes from being comfortable with who you are.

Friendship Self Identity
View details for Tiger Days
Tiger Days book cover

Tiger Days

by M.H. Clark Illustrated by Anna Hurley

Ages 4-8 years

Some days we feel like fierce tigers, and that's okay. This book acknowledges that children have different emotional days and provides gentle guidance for understanding and managing big feelings.

Emotions Animals
View details for Up and Down
Up and Down book cover

Up and Down

by Oliver Jeffers

Ages 3-6 years

A delightful story about a penguin and a boy's friendship, exploring themes of cooperation, problem-solving, and the ups and downs of relationships. A heartwarming tale about working through challenges together and the resilience of true friendship.

Friendship Collaboration Emotions Adventure and Exploration Problem Solving
View details for When I'm Feeling Angry
When I'm Feeling Angry book cover

When I'm Feeling Angry

by Trace Moroney

Ages 3-8 years

This book helps children understand and manage anger in healthy ways. It validates angry feelings while teaching appropriate expression and coping strategies that maintain relationships and promote emotional regulation.

Emotions
View details for When I'm Feeling Disappointed
When I'm Feeling Disappointed book cover

When I'm Feeling Disappointed

by Trace Moroney

Ages 3-8 years

This book helps children understand and cope with disappointment when things don't go as planned. It validates these difficult feelings while teaching healthy ways to bounce back and find new opportunities.

Emotions
View details for When I'm Feeling Happy
When I'm Feeling Happy book cover

When I'm Feeling Happy

by Trace Moroney

Ages 3-8 years

This book celebrates the wonderful feeling of happiness and helps children recognise what brings them joy. It explores different types of happiness and encourages children to appreciate and share positive emotions with others.

Emotions
View details for When I'm Feeling Jealous
When I'm Feeling Jealous book cover

When I'm Feeling Jealous

by Trace Moroney

Ages 3-8 years

This book helps children understand and cope with jealousy. Through gentle text and expressive illustrations, it validates the emotion while providing healthy strategies for managing jealous feelings.

Emotions
View details for When I'm Feeling Kind
When I'm Feeling Kind book cover

When I'm Feeling Kind

by Trace Moroney

Ages 3-8 years

This book celebrates the wonderful feeling of kindness and helps children understand how acts of kindness benefit both the giver and receiver. It encourages empathy, compassion, and the joy that comes from helping others.

Emotions
View details for When I'm Feeling Lonely
When I'm Feeling Lonely book cover

When I'm Feeling Lonely

by Trace Moroney

Ages 3-8 years

This book helps children understand and cope with feelings of loneliness. It validates these difficult emotions while providing strategies for building connections, making friends, and finding ways to feel less alone.

Emotions
View details for When I'm Feeling Loved
When I'm Feeling Loved book cover

When I'm Feeling Loved

by Trace Moroney

Ages 3-8 years

This book explores the wonderful feeling of being loved and helps children recognise the many ways love is expressed in their lives. It celebrates family bonds, friendships, and the security that comes from feeling valued and cared for.

Emotions
View details for When I'm Feeling Nervous
When I'm Feeling Nervous book cover

When I'm Feeling Nervous

by Trace Moroney

Ages 3-8 years

This book helps children understand and cope with nervous feelings before new experiences or challenges. It validates these emotions while providing practical strategies for managing anxiety and building confidence.

Emotions
View details for When I'm Feeling Sad
When I'm Feeling Sad book cover

When I'm Feeling Sad

by Trace Moroney

Ages 3-8 years

This book helps children understand and cope with sadness in healthy ways. It validates sad feelings while providing comfort strategies and showing that sadness is temporary and part of the normal range of human emotions.

Emotions
View details for When I'm Feeling Scared
When I'm Feeling Scared book cover

When I'm Feeling Scared

by Trace Moroney

Ages 3-8 years

This book helps children understand and cope with fear and scary feelings. It validates that being scared is normal while providing practical strategies for managing fear and building courage in age-appropriate ways.

Emotions