Stockwell Book Recommendations
Written by Anna Llenas
One day, Colour Monster wakes up feeling very confused. His emotions are all over the place; he feels angry, happy, calm, sad and scared all at once! To help him, a little girl shows thim what each feeling means through colour.
What is the Colour Monster feeling? And can you help him feel a little less mixed up?
A gentle exploration of feelings for young and old alike.
Written by Rachel Bright
It's a beautiful day and Worrysaurus has planned a special picnic.
But it isn't long before a small butterfly of worry starts fluttering in his tummy . . .
What if he hasn't brought enough to eat?
What if he gets lost in the jungle?
What if he trips and falls?
What if it rains?!
Can Worrysaurus find a way to chase his fears away and have fun?
The perfect book to help every anxious little dinosaur let go of their fears and feel happy in the moment.
Written by Matthew Syed
I'm no good at sport ... I can't do maths ... I really struggle with exams ... Sound familiar?
If you believe you can't do something, the chances are you won't try. But what if you really could get better at maths, or sport or exams? In fact, what if you could excel at anything you put your mind to?
You Are Awesome can help you do just that, inspiring and empowering young readers to find the confidence to realise their potential. The first children's book from Times journalist, two-time Olympian and best-selling mindset author Matthew Syed, it uses examples of successful people from Mozart to Serena Williams to demonstrate that success really is earned rather than given, and that talent can be acquired. With hard work and determination, practice and self-belief, and, most importantly, a Growth Mindset, there's no reason why anyone can't achieve anything.
Practical, insightful and positive, this is the book to help children build resilience, embrace their mistakes and grow into successful, happy adults.
Written by Dawn Huebner
Worry has a way of growing, shifting from not-a-big-deal to a VERY BIG DEAL in the blink of an eye. This big-deal Worry is tricky, luring children into behaviours that keep the anxiety cycle going. Children often find it hard to fight back against Worry, but not anymore. Outsmarting Worry teaches 9-13 year olds and the adults who care about them a specific set of skills that makes it easier to face - and overcome - worries and fears. Smart, practical, proven techniques are presented in language immediately accessible to children with an emphasis on shifting from knowing to doing, from worried to happy and free.
Written by Laura Gehl
Girls perform to fairy songs.
Boys play football all day long.
Boys yell, "Boo!" and run away.
Girls like kittens and ballet.
Except when they don't.
Children are often told by many different people about what toys they're supposed to play with, what interests they should have, and who they should be simply because of their gender. This stereotype-breaking book invites children to examine what they're told "boy" and "girl" activities are and encourages them to play with whatever they want to and to be exactly who they are! This book is published in partnership with GLAAD to accelerate LGBTQ inclusivity and acceptance.
Written by Robb Pearlman
Pink is for boys . . . and girls . . . and everyone! This timely and beautiful picture book rethinks and reframes the stereotypical blue/pink gender binary and empowers kids-and their grown-ups-to express themselves in every color of the rainbow. Featuring a diverse group of relatable characters, Pink Is for Boys invites and encourages girls and boys to enjoy what they love to do, whether it's racing cars and playing baseball, or loving unicorns and dressing up. Vibrant illustrations help children learn and identify the myriad colors that surround them every day, from the orange of a popsicle, to the green of a grassy field, all the way up to the wonder of a multicolored rainbow
Written by: Scott Stuart
My Shadow is Pink is the new children's book making grown-ups cry. Dannii Minogue interviewed the author Scott Stuart on Instagram and she said - I've almost cried 3 times! Inspired by the best-selling Melbourne author's own son, My Shadow is Pink is a beautifully written rhyming story of love and self-acceptance that touches on the subjects of gender identity, equality and diversity. The reader follows the journey of a young boy who has been born into a family with a long history of blue shadows. He wants to be just like his father, who is big and strong, with a defined blue shadow. However, the boy has an irrepressible pink shadow, and loves ponies and books and pink toys, princesses, fairies, and things 'not for boys'. With the love and acceptance of his father, he learns that everyone at times, has a shadow they wish was different ... and he must embrace his shadow just the way it is.
Written by: Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara
Even before little Ru was born, a fortune teller told his mum that he would one day be famous... It was only a matter of time before he figured out how. Playing dress-up was his favourite game, and that’s where he felt most comfortable. Ru went on to study performing arts and then moved to New York to mix things up in a punk band. Later, drag was a way to express himself as an artist. He found success for himself, then wanted to help others find theirs. He inspires us to do what feels right and love ourselves. This witty and wise book features stylish and quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with historical photos and a detailed profile of the inspiring performer’s life.
Written by Alexandra Penfold
No matter how you start your day,
What you wear when you play,
Or if you come from far away,
All are welcome here.
Follow a group of children through a day in their school, where everyone is welcome. A school where children in patkas, hijabs, baseball caps and yarmulkes play side by side. A school where students grow and learn from each other's traditions. A school where diversity is a strength.
Written by: Ibtihaj Muhammad
Asiya's hijab is like the ocean and the sky, no line between them, saying hello with a loud wave.
It’s Faizah’s first day of school, and her older sister Asiya’s first day of wearing hijab – made of a beautiful blue fabric. But not everyone sees hijab as beautiful. In the face of hurtful, confusing words, will Faizah find new ways to be strong?
This is an uplifting, universal story of new experiences, the unbreakable bond shared by siblings and of being proud of who you are, from Olympic medallist Ibtihaj Muhammad.
Written by: Onjali Rauf
Told with heart and humour, The Boy at the Back of the Class is a child's perspective on the refugee crisis, highlighting the importance of friendship and kindness in a world that doesn't always make sense.
There used to be an empty chair at the back of my class, but now a new boy called Ahmet is sitting in it.
He's nine years old (just like me), but he's very strange. He never talks and never smiles and doesn't like sweets - not even lemon sherbets, which are my favourite!
But then I learned the truth: Ahmet really isn't very strange at all. He's a refugee who's run away from a War. A real one. With bombs and fires and bullies that hurt people. And the more I find out about him, the more I want to help.
That's where my best friends Josie, Michael and Tom come in. Because you see, together we've come up with a plan. . .
Written by: Sarah Asuquo
Kai is excited to go back to school after the summer holiday, but soon finds himself being mocked by his peers for being different. Kai s confidence is lowered and he begins to wish that he is normal like everyone else.
With the help of his parents, Kai learns to be proud of himself and his unique qualities and values. Kai s mother explains how although the moon and stars are different they both shine beautifully in the sky. He learns an important lesson: that everyone is special and valuable in their own way. He realises that the things that make him different are the things that make him special. He makes a decision to use his qualities to shine his light .
Written by: Various Authors
Once known, now largely forgotten, these empowering fairy tales have been brought together to inspire a new generation of readers. Discover heroines who outwit giants, fight evil, awaken sleeping princes and, of course, live happily ever after. With a foreword by Kate Pankhurst, author of Fantastically Great Women who Changed the World.
Written by Kate Pankhurst
Kate Pankhurst, descendent of Emmeline Pankhurst, has created this wildly wonderful and accessible book about women who really changed the world.
Discover fascinating facts about some of the most amazing women who changed the world we live in. Fly through the sky with the incredible explorer Amelia Earhart, and read all about the Wonderful Adventures of Mary Seacole with the number one best-selling children's non-fiction title in the UK market this year.
Bursting full of beautiful illustrations and astounding facts, Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World is the perfect introduction to just a few of the most incredible women who helped shaped the world we live in.
Written by Zoe Tucker
Greta is a little girl who lives in a beautiful forest threatened by Giants. When the Giants first came to the forest, they chopped down trees to make houses. Then they chopped down more trees and made even bigger homes. The houses grew into towns and the towns grew into cities, until now there is hardly any forest left. Greta knows she has to help the animals who live in the forest, but how? Luckily, Greta has an idea…
A section at the back explains that, in reality, the fight against the 'giants' isn’t over and explains how you can help Greta in her fight.
Written by Laurence Anholt
Mary Anning is probably the world's best-known fossil-hunter. As a little girl, she found a fossilised sea monster, the most important prehistoric discovery of its time. Best-selling author Laurence Anholt turns Mary's fascinating life into a beautiful story, ideal for reading aloud. Sheila Moxley's luscious pictures vividly evoke the coastal setting and the real-life dramas of this spectacular tale