Just like when I read a book, I love the books that I read to the kids to have a great message within the words. Whether it’s about kindness, mental health, confidence, bullying or even a book that encourages...
Just like when I read a book, I love the books that I read to the kids to have a great message within the words. Whether it’s about kindness, mental health, confidence, bullying or even a book that encourages the kids to use their imaginations, books are absolutely bloody wonderful.
These days, Coop and Max are really the only ones who want to sit down and read a book with me but even then I’m kinda pushing it with Max because he knows how to read big boy books now and he can do it himself (words straight from that kid’s mouth, haha). Then Madi, well she’s nearly 10 so she’s technically a teenager in her own mind.
These books have helped us over the years and they cover some really important personal issues that the kids may face in the earlier years of life (and help them understand for later on too!). I absolutely love the way that the authors have put these beautiful reads together and I wanted to share them with you all incase they might help your little legend too.
Epic Kids Books:
Helping them understand personal issues.
The Invisible String
This is a book that I got the kids many many years ago when I was really struggling with the beginning stages of co-parenting and feeling so sad when they weren’t home. The kids were little and I don’t think they really know any different anymore but this is a book we used to read so they knew that whether they’re at mummy’s or daddy’s we’re they always have both of us no matter what.
Gosh it chokes me up even writing this but it’s a beautiful book to help your little ones who might be going through that same process. Absolutely LOVE this book.
My Shadow is Pink
If you were on Tiktok a little while ago, you would have seen Scott’s videos go viral when he went to the movies dressed in an Elsa costume with his son who wanted to wear a dress to see Frozen.
Scott is just an absolutely beautiful human and father and I love how he has written this book to kiss stereotypical gender roles goodbye and encourage self expression, self love and inclusivity towards a young audience.
As a parent, this is something I’m so passionate about teaching the kids because I would never want them to be afraid to be themselves and this book teaches that so beautifully!
Ziggy the Piggy: Learns to Surf
As a grown adult that has always wanted to learn how to surf, this book spoke to me. Coop really like the pictures but the story made me think to myself, “Lauren, why have you made it your New Years resolution to learn to surf for about 15 years now and you still haven’t even gotten past the break in the waves” LOL. This book opened my eyes.
This is a great story to teach kids to keep trying and never give up, and it’s written in the most fun way possible, RHYMING! As I mentioned, Coop loves the illustrations because they’re so colourful and pop right from the page.
This book is also self published by two very passionate legends!
Penelope’s Playground
A book beautifully written about a subject that’s so prevalent in schools: bullying.
I think when any parent starts sending their kids to school, we just want them to feel safe, have fun and feel comfortable going to school, but sometimes that isn’t the case.
Penelope's Playground highlights how just one person can make another feel intimidated and unwelcome in the world. It is an eye opening and child friendly read that highlights the effects of bullying in a really simple and powerful way.
A great book to read with your little legend to open up conversations about the topic.
Be Your Own Man
I absolutely bloody love this book. As a mother and even more so, mother of 2 boys, this is such an impactful and beautifully told story that’s purpose is to “encourage young boys to broaden their ideas about what it means to be a boy and supporting them to feel free and proud to be who they truly are”.
This covers subjects from feelings and mental health through to body image, self love and most of all, equality all with really gorgeous illustrations.
This shits on the sayings “man up” and “stop acting like a girl” and brings light to a day and age where boys and girls can and should be whoever they want to be without a world of judgement.
Only For Me
A taboo subject that should absolutely be talked about more, kids protecting their own bodies.
Although confronting to think about, as parents this is such an important topic that we need to open up a conversation about and empower our kids with the knowledge that they are in control of their own bodies. It also highlights the benefits to using correct terminology for their body parts, which sometimes we don’t think about, but it is so important.
Only For Me is a gentle yet provoking read that I think is beneficial to all children to teach them about protecting their bodies and privacy.
Living with Mum and Living with Dad
Another book that I love that helps kids process the different emotions and situations that come along with co-parenting.
This a simple and beautiful read that is suitable for curious little legends who might need to know that they’re not alone and that there are many other kids out there that know how it feels to have two homes.
I really do love this book!
My Feelings Matter
Learning about children's feelings is so crucial to early childhood development and even before they learn to speak, they’re communicating to us through their cries!
My Feelings Matter is great book that opens up conversation about emotions and feelings and how to express and verbalise them in a healthy way while managing behaviours that might come along with those emotions. It absolutely did that in our house and especially with Max, got him talking and asking questions, which I love.
This book is highly recommend for parents of children on the autism spectrum to help them communicate and understand their emotions, so if that’s you, it could be a great book for you!
There are so many amazing books out there for kids these days and these are just a few of my favourites that have opened up many conversations in our house, which is what I love them to do so we can have open communication with the kids and so they feel comfortable coming to us and speaking about anything. The more we empower them with knowledge, the more confident they become!
Sending love,
Lauren
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