LGBTq+ rOLE MODELS

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THE WOODCUTTER AND THE SNOW PRINCE (Ian Eagleton, David Ortu)

The Woodcutter and the Snow Prince (Owlett Press, 2022) invites young readers to enter the world of a lonely woodcutter named Kai, who carves statues for passers-by each winter. One magical night, Kai is visited by the much-feared snow prince who has a heart of ice. But Kai sees hope in the prince’s eyes.

This very unique picture book sees Kai break the snow prince’s curse, freeing him from the ice-palace where he has been imprisoned, and freeing himself from his loneliness, too. Kai shows immense bravery, succeeding against the odds, leaving the reader feeling uplifted and empowered.

Ian’s soothing and lyrical text perfectly depicts the nuanced emotions and wintry scenes. Davide’s illustrations portray danger and adventure, whilst also sprinkling the story with a special friendship that glistens and shines like snow.

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BOOKS THAT HELP – SHYNESS

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If you don’t find what you are looking for, please get in contact and I will try my best to help. If you do find a book

If you are the publisher, author or illustrator of a book that helps and you’d like to be featured on this website, please email: clare_welsh@hotmail.co.uk

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TIMID (Harry Woodgate)

Timmy is a born performer! They dream of singing and dancing and performing on stage. But there’s a problem. Timmy is shy! Whenever they try to do something new, a giant lion roars all their confidence away. Then Timmy meets Nia who doesn’t feel confident enough to turn her designs into a real costume. The pair decide to help each other overcome their shyness. As well as practising and rehearsing together, Nia and Timmy get some top tips from their families and teacher that include meditation, positive affirmations and acting out the worst-case scenarios.

At the climax of the story, the school play, Timmy realises their lion is actually scared too. “I’ve spent all this time trying to get rid of you,” they say, “when maybe we should have faced our fears together!”

Timid (Little Tiger Press, 2022) is adorned with beautiful characters and show-stopping costumes, all stitched together in an empowering storyline about overcoming shyness. Readers will be inspired to face shyness when it appears and not to push it away, making space for feelings however difficult they may be.

This is a book for children who realise their shyness is holding them back, who want encouragement to tackle their shyness head on. It will show them just how dazzling confidence can be when you’re brave enough to go looking for it.

BOOKS THAT HELP – SLEEP/ BEDTIME

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If you don’t find what you are looking for, please get in contact and I will try my best to help. If you do find a book

If you are the publisher, author or illustrator of a book that helps and you’d like to be featured on this website, please email: clare_welsh@hotmail.co.uk

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WOLVES IN HELICOPTERS (Sarah Tagholm, Paddy Donnelly)

Wolves in Helicopters (Andersen Press, 2022) invites brave young readers to enter the world of Hop’s spine-tingling nightmares. This is an original picture book about a bunny called Hop, who each night has night terrors filled with scary, hungry-eyed wolves! Hop knows they only exist in her dreams, but they seem so real. Mummy comforts her and has some good advice, but can Hop find the courage to conquer the wolves?

This picture book has a unique and clever structure. Sarah’s text and use of repetition are perfectly timed and depict Hop’s courage and the escalating peril. Paddy’s illustrations are both menacing and comforting, portraying the danger of the wolves but also the safety Hop feels with her mummy. There’s also a whisker of humour dotted throughout.

By the end of the story, Hop overcomes the darkness and takes control of the scariest of situations, but with an unexpected twist! The reader is left feeling uplifted and empowered, knowing that they can be the director of their own dreams.

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BOOKS THAT HELP – SCHOOL/ NURSERY

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If you don’t find what you are looking for, please get in contact and I will try my best to help. If you do find a book that helps, please spread the word about this website!

If you are the publisher, author or illustrator of a book that helps and you’d like to be featured on this website, please email: clare_welsh@hotmail.co.uk

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BOOKS THAT HELP – GRIEF/ LOSS

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If you don’t find what you are looking for, please get in contact and I will try my best to help. If you do find a book that helps, please spread the word about this website!

If you are the publisher, author or illustrator of a book that helps and you’d like to be featured on this website, please email: clare_welsh@hotmail.co.uk

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BOOKS THAT HELP – BODIES

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If you don’t find what you are looking for, please get in contact and I will try my best to help. If you do find a book that helps, please spread the word about this website!

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BOOKS THAT HELP – NEURODIVERSITY

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If you are the publisher, author or illustrator of a book that helps and you’d like to be featured on this website, please email: clare_welsh@hotmail.co.uk

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PIFF AND A PUFFLE (Sarah Lavelle, Jill White)

This exciting and colourful story follows Piff the puffer fish as she sets off in pursuit of her dream to join the fishy circus. But she needs an act! Unfortunately, lionfish taming and hermit crab juggling all end in disaster. Piff feels like she’s done something wrong, even though she can’t help getting into a puffle. Eventually, she learns to embrace who she is. Maybe being a puffle isn’t a bad thing after all?

This is a fun and playful story that will show neurodiverse children that they are not alone, especially girls with ADHD.

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