Childhood Mental Illness is on the rise, more and more kids are struggling with their anxieties and depression. This range of EK books helps parents approach these heavy topics with their kids in a light and fun way.
If you know a little one who is anxious about school, grieving a loved one, experiencing domestic violence, struggling with their emotions or feeling overwhelmed by their worries.. EK likely has a book to help.
Showing 1–20 of 26 results
Cookie
USD $18.99 Tax IncludedAvailable now in AU/NZ/UK/CAN. Due for release 9th November in the USA
Cookie loves Girl more than anything – even chasing balls and smelling smells! Sometimes Girl is too sad to play with Cookie, but that’s okay because Cookie is good at sad. You can lick it off, you know.
With beautiful words and playful illustrations, Cookie is both a heart-warming tale about the love between a dog and their person, and a sensitive exploration of depression and anxiety. From dog-lovers to children who share Girl’s feelings, everyone can learn something from this inseparable pair.
Click here to view Teacher’s Notes.
SPECIFICATIONS: 9781925820959 | Hardback | 245 x 255mm / 9.5 x 10in | 32 Pages | Full Colour | EK Books
What If … ?
USD $18.99 Tax IncludedAvailable now AU/NZ/CAN and UK. Due for release 2nd November 2021 in the USA
For Issy, and many more little worriers, ‘what if…’ are two small words that lead to uneasy feelings. But maybe they can be used for something a little more fun…
In this colourful adventure, ‘what ifs’ become springboards for happiness and imagination. Why worry about monsters under the bed when you could wonder what if the clouds were purple and orange and green? Children will delight in this playful exploration of words and their power to change how we feel, turning anxiety into wonder.
A Boy, his Bear and a Bully
USD $18.99 Tax IncludedScott takes his bear, Buttons, to school with him every day to help him feel brave. He has to, because every day, Duncan is mean to him. When Buttons goes missing though, Scott has to look elsewhere to find his brave, and much to his surprise, he does.
A Boy, his Bear and a Bully addresses the global issue of bullying in a hopeful, gentle way. It is an inspiring conversation starter for children, carers, and professionals, providing guidance for anyone who wishes they could be brave.
Check out the trailer!:
The Incredibly Busy Mind of Bowen Bartholomew Crisp
USD $18.99 Tax Included
Pear of Hope
USD $18.99 Tax IncludedPear of Hope is the story of a little girl with cancer and her tale of recovery. This is intertwined with the growth of a pear tree, which symbolises the enigmatic concept of hope. Told through sensitive words and gentle, beautiful illustrations, the story will comfort and inspire any children who are struggling to feel positive, whatever journey they may be on. It is a vibrant reminder of the beauty of the world around us and of the fact that, like Anna, with hope you can face any battle!
Watch the trailer
Upside-Down Friday
USD $18.99 Tax IncludedHugo the monkey doesn’t like Upside-Down Fridays. His routine is the wrong way round, and school is a scary place full of uncertainty. However, with just a small gesture of friendship and understanding from Maddie the giraffe, Hugo begins to feel braver.
Upside-Down Friday reflects how helping others and accepting change can reduce childhood anxiety. With its emotive language and unique ‘upside-down’ illustrations, it is the perfect resource for building emotional resilience in children.
Growing Pains
USD $18.99 Tax IncludedWhen Finn’s family plants a tree in their backyard, he feels responsible for it and worries the little sapling is cold, hungry or lonely. He tries to share his breakfast with it, offers it his scarf, and keeps it company. Just after going to bed, his nightlight goes out and Finn is plunged into darkness. But when he sees his tree standing tall and brave in the moonlight, it inspires him to be brave as well. A touching story about curiosity, empathy, care of the environment, and overcoming fears.
Tomorrow Girl
USD $18.99 Tax IncludedA Tale of Mindfulness
Catch up with a girl called Tomorrow —you better be quick because she’s always in a hurry! ‘You’ll catch up with the next day if you keep rushing,’ says Tomorrow’s mother. But when Tomorrow meets worrywart Yesterday and trips over thoughtful Today, her whole world begins to slow down.
Tomorrow Girl is a quirky tale delivering a timely reminder about the importance of mindfulness and what can happen when we allow ourselves time to be in the moment amidst a modern-day rush. It’s brimming with wonderful teachable moments for children to reflect on how they can be more mindful in their everyday lives and discover new friendships just by being in the moment.
Click here to view Teacher’s Notes
Specifications: 9781925820362 | Hardback | 245 x 255mm / 9.5 x 10in | 32 Pages | Full colour
Courageous Lucy
USD $18.99 Tax IncludedThe Girl Who Liked to Worry
Lucy worries about everything. She’s so skilled at worrying that she worries about things no one else even thinks about!
When a school musical is announced, Lucy wants to be part of it but is scared try out. Then, her teacher finds a part especially for her. Lucy stands proud and tall to be the best tree she can, even as her knees knock and her tummy ties in knots. Lucy’s bravery will show children everywhere that it’s okay to be worried, and they can still embrace opportunities!
Click here to view Teacher’s Notes
Specifications: 9781925820775 | Hardback | 245 x 255mm / 9.5 x 10in | 32 Pages | Full Colour
Go Away, Worry Monster!
USD $18.99 Tax IncludedWorry Monster loves ‘helping’ Archie worry, especially the night before he starts his new school. Archie feels so anxious that his head hurts, his tummy flutters and his heart pounds. He soon realises that the only way to feel better is to make Worry Monster go away. He does his belly breaths and challenges his inner fears by facing facts. Go Away, Worry Monster! gives children useful strategies to cope with their anxieties and stress, showing them how to make their own Worry Monsters leave.
Shortlisted for the Children’s Book Council of Australia Award for New Illustrator of the Year 2021
CBCA Judge’s Critique: ‘rich and textured drawings support the minimal text and create a colourful worry monster; a quirky version of a dragon with a sock on its head…. [The] illustrations are confident and well considered and will help readers relate to this story.’
Download the Teacher’s Notes Here!
Specifications: 9781925820393 | Hardback | 245 x 255mm / 9.5 x 10in | 32 Pages | Colour
The Battle
From: USD $15.99Starting School Can be Scary Sometimes!
Edward is anxious to start knight-school. He puts on his armour, prepared for battle. It’s sure to be terrifying with all those ogres and dragons about. But at school, Edward is befriended by an ogre who offers him some of her lunch. Edward soon realizes that maybe things aren’t as bad as they first seemed. In fact, his armour was holding him back. As he learns to let his guard down, magic and fun await and Edward realizes the dragons and ogres he feared are actually just like him.
Download the Teacher’s Notes Here
Specifications: Hardback/Paperback | 245 x 255 mm / 9.5 x 10 inches | 32 Pages | Colour
Tabitha and the Raincloud
USD $18.99 Tax IncludedWhen Tabitha wakes up on the wrong side of the bed, she finds a big raincloud next to her. She tells it to go away, but it won’t budge. At school, she tries to draw a giraffe, but the raincloud distracts her and her art teacher compliments her on her dinosaur! By lunchtime Tabitha is so stormy none of her friends want to sit next to her. Tabitha realises she needs to change her attitude.
An empowering story of resilience and the importance of optimism.
Download the Teacher’s Notes Here
SPECIFICATIONS: 9781925820133 | Hardback | 245 x 255 mm / 9.5 x 10 inches | 32 pages | Colour
Together Things
USD $18.99 Tax IncludedWhen her father feels sad, a little girl finds ways to keep the bonds of love alive
Her mother says you can’t see her daddy’s hurt because it’s inside his head …
One in five adults experiences depression in their lifetime, but young children are often left in the dark when their mother or father suddenly can’t play like they used to.
Together Things helps young children to understand that, while it is okay for them to feel mad or sad about this, sometimes they must do different things together while their parent focuses on their mental health and getting better.
Download the Teacher’s Notes Here
SPECIFICATIONS: 9781925820294 | Hardback | 245 x 255 mm / 9.5 x 10 inches | 32 Pages | Colour
Tree: A Gentle Story of Love and Loss
USD $18.99 Tax IncludedThe fifth book in the popular ‘Lessons of a LAC’ series, Tree is a gentle story of loss that helps children to learn how to say goodbye and process grief.
Tree is the much-loved centerpiece of the community. But one day Curly and Loppy notice that Tree’s leaves are starting to fall — at the wrong time of year — and Tree’s bark is flaking.
It’s Tree’s time to leave. Fortunately Curly is able to teach Loppy how to accept that Tree is leaving, say goodbye, and commemorate Tree’s life.
Download the Teacher’s Notes Here
SPECIFICATIONS: 9781925820126 | Paperback | 305 x 230 mm / 12 x 9 inches | 32 Pages | Colour
Brave
Brave, the second book in the Lessons of a LAC series, provides kids with a strategy for how to face things that worry them. While kids are blessed with imagination, that can be a source of anxiety. However, it can also be tapped to help them to feel calm, confident and BRAVE! In Brave, Curly teaches Loppy how to manage his worries, specifically his worries about going to school. However, the technique of helping children to ‘find their brave’ can be applied to any challenging situation.
SPECIFICATIONS: 9781925117844 | Paperback | 310 x 230 mm / 12¼ x 9 inches | 32 Pages | Colour
Saying Goodbye to Barkley
From: USD $14.99Olivia and her dog Barkley are inseparable. He’s her sidekick, her partner in crime-fighting — they’re the perfect pair. But then, Barkley dies and Olivia is heartbroken. Gradually, however, she realizes that Barkley wouldn’t want her to be unhappy for the rest of her life. So she comes up with a clever plan to get her happiness back.
Download the Teacher’s Notes Here
SPECIFICATIONS: Hardback/ Paperback | 245 x 255 mm / 9.5 x 10 inches | 32 pages
Grey-glasses-itis
USD $17.99 Tax IncludedLife’s Brighter When You’re Not Wearing Grey Glasses!
The fourth book in the popular ‘Lessons of a LAC’ series, Grey-glasses-itis helps children to understand the link between how they see things and how they feel. Loppy notices that he feels differently when he looks at the world around him through different-coloured glasses. Yellow glasses make him feel cheerful. Grey glasses make him feel sad. Children will learn that a simple shift in perception can often give them some influence over their feelings, helping to build their emotional resilience.
Download the Teacher’s Notes Here
SPECIFICATIONS: Paperback | 305 x 230 mm | 12 x 9 inches | Colour | 32 Pages
Invisible Jerry
USD $17.99 Tax IncludedPeople don’t notice Jerry. If someone bumps into him, they don’t say sorry. If he makes a joke, no one laughs. He never gets picked last for sports teams — but that’s because he never gets picked at all. It’s like he’s invisible. Until Molly comes along. Molly asks Jerry his opinion. She laughs with him. She sees him. This is a picture book with humour and heart for everyone who has ever felt like they’re on the outside looking in.
Download the Teacher’s Notes Here
SPECIFICATIONS: Hardback | 245 x 255 mm | 9.5 x 10 inches | Colour | 32 Pages
At the End of Holyrood Lane
From: USD $15.99Flick is just like any other youngster. She loves to chase butterflies and jump in autumn leaves. But life at the end of Holyrood Lane is often violent and unpredictable due to the constant storms that plague her home, causing her to cringe with dread and flee whenever they strike. Visually arresting, emotionally incisive, and ultimately uplifting, this beautifully crafted picture book provides a sensitive glimpse into one aspect of domestic violence and how it can affect young lives.
Click here to view Teacher’s Notes
WINNER OF THE 2019 SCWBI Crystal Kite Award, Australia/New Zealand Division.
Congratulations Dimity and Nicky!
SPECIFICATIONS: Hardback / Paperback | 245 x 255 mm / 9.5 x 10 Inches | Colour | 32 Pages | EK Books
AS RECOMMENDED BY
Lessons of a LAC
USD $17.99 Tax IncludedDownload Teacher’s Notes here.
It’s tough to help an anxious child. Psychologist Lynn Jenkins knows this, from professional experience, and from being a mother! In Lessons of a Little Anxious Creature, she has created an essential emotional resource that encourages children to develop strategies for anxiety management, by discovering new, useful ways to think about their worries.
With this engaging book, you can support children in learning to manage anxiety, and help them take crucial steps to understanding and dealing with their emotions. It’s a fun and innovative way of building resilience, a foundation that will not only benefit kids now, but for the rest of their lives.
SPECIFICATIONS: Paperback | 305 x 230 mm / 12 x 9 Inches | Colour | 32 Pages |
