Shara might be trying her best, but anxieties soon start to creep in for both her and her brother – including a slimy creature called Scared and a dinosaur-style worry called Reece Sponsable, who are all set on causing chaos. This book follows Shara, who’s trying to be brave for her little brother when their mum goes on holiday and they stay at their grandfather’s house for the first time. Shara And The Really Big Sleepover is another example of this, and is the third instalment in Jion Sheibani’s successful series, The Worries.Įach book has a new main character, who brings with them their own set of unique worries. The Worries: Shara And The Really Big Sleepover by Jion Sheibani (Puffin, £7.99)Īfter the success of Pixar’s Inside Out in 2015, there’s been a huge trend for books, films and TV shows visualising emotions to make them easier for children to grapple with – and you can see why. Perfect for opening up any conversations you might want to have with your little ones. It’s colourful and lighthearted, while also giving practical tips on how to manage fears and anxieties. The llama is a visual representation of how anxiety can be a burden, as it just keeps on getting in the way of Alex living his life. It tells the story of Alex Allen – a kid who worries about things, like everyone else – except his worries materialise into a real-life llama. The Drama Llama is a really visual and accessible way for younger children to get to grips with ideas of anxiety. The Drama Llama by Rachel Morrisroe, illustrated by Ella Okstad (Puffin, £6.99) Here are some of the best books of 2022 so far exploring these themes, ahead of World Mental Health Day on Monday, October 10. Whether it’s a picture book visually representing different emotions or relatable YA poems, books can open up conversations around mental health, and hopefully help children better understand some of the things they might be feeling. However, they can also be hugely important in helping young people come to grips with serious issues that might hit closer to home – like stress, anxiety and grief.

Books have the power to transport children outside of their own lives, into magical worlds and places they never could have imagined seeing.

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