Mamamia – 6 timeless books you need to read with your kids right now.
“This is a bit of a special book, which is perfect for kids who are perhaps a little sensitive. Don’t Think about Purple Elephants focuses on a little girl called Sophie who is prone to worrying. She is fine in the day, when around her family and friends. But at night her thoughts come alive. That is until her mother comes up with a solution – try not to think about purple elephants. A novel way to ease worry.”
Booksellers NZ, May 2017
“This is an enjoyable picture book to read together for children up to 8 or 9 years old, regardless of whether or not the child worries – but it would be a particularly good book to read with a child who is suffering from anxiety, it might just do the trick.”
Lynn Jenkins, clinical psychologist and author of Lessons of a Lac, School Start and Best Start
“Don’t Think About Purple Elephants is a story about a little ‘night-time worrier’. For children (and adult) worriers, night time offers minimal to no distractions, so worries are free to roam. The story acknowledges the typical help offered and ends with a lovely, simple strategy that adds a bit of creative quirkiness to the bedtime routine. Lovely story, beautiful illustrations!”
Nicky Johnston, author and illustrator of Go Away, Mr Worry Thoughts!
“Don’t Think About Purple Elephants is a beautiful children’s book and a must have for every bookshelf. Susan Whelan writes with a deep understanding of what it feels like to be a child who worries, highlighting how easily negative thoughts can fill a child’s mind. Gwynneth Jones’ beautiful illustrations are full of emotion and compassion, complementing the text perfectly. Don’t Think About Purple Elephants will resonate with all young children and be especially important for those who are little worriers.”
Parents in Touch
“This is what picture books should be all about — gentle, reassuring, humorous and confidence-building.”
Parenting without Tears
“The illustrations by Gwyneth Jones are perfectly charming and offer lots of topics for discussion as well as reinforcing the ideas of the narrative. Susan Whelan has taken a common problem experienced by children and has given it a gentle twist for a humorous resolution. Might help a few worried parents as well.”
Kiss the Book Blog US
“This is a wonderful book for students that are worriers and would make a great addition to the school library collection to be used by the school counsellor as needed. It would also make a perfect gift for a parent or child experiencing this issue.”
Sydney Morning Herald
“an unexpected and valuable lesson in dealing with anxiety”
Sunday Telegraph
“Written with gentle humor, this is a special book… a resource for parents with children who worry.”
The School Librarian Journal UK
“Gentle reassuring story which makes clever use of colour to contrast negative thoughts with more positive ones… the story might give a reader the confidence to talk about their own (possibly greater) concerns.”
The Bottom Shelf
“A clever, well-written book that … helps children understand that they aren’t on their own. [The] imaginative solution for Sophie’s concerns will delight everyone.”