The best-est books & vids for kids!

Talking feelings

Talking about feelings and emotions is important because it's the first step in being able to being able to manage them. We recommend doing this loads, and these wonderful books and vids can really help.

Managing worries

For younger tamariki

• When I’m feeling scared
• Giraffes can’t dance
• The Invisible String - letting children know you're always with them
• Maia and The Worry Bug
• Banjo Bounces Back
• Beautiful oops – also available as a book, but the song is cool too.
• Sesame Street - Feeling Scared

For older tamariki

• Rising Tide
• From Worrier to Warrior
• The 10pm Question - a good reminder for us too about what it’s like to worry as a child.
• Talking mental health - designed to help talk about mental health in the classroom and beyond.

For you

• The Worry Bug Website – and check out their video Everything is Going to be Alright.
• Are We There Yet - A Radio NZ parenting podcast
• How to help kids manage worries - All Right Parenting Guide

Feeling good and building self-esteem

For younger tamariki

• There are no animals in this book, only feelings
• The Happy Owls
• Have you filled your bucket today?
• A is Amazing - Poems about feelings
• Sesame Street – What I am
• Sesame Street – The Power of Yet

For older tamariki

• Awakening Joy for Kids - a workbook-type approach
• Unstoppable Me!
• Via Strengths survey - discover your true strengths - for ages 10 and up
• Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls (and the 2nd version!) - so good for talking about heroines, over-coming odds (growth mindset) and how being a girl is really cool!

For you

• Awakening joy
• Via Strengths survey - discover your true strengths
• How to help kids feel good and have fun - All Right Parenting Guide

Finding calm and understanding emotions

For younger tamariki

• Prickly Jenny
• When Sophie’s feelings are really, really hurt
• My Big Shouting Day
• Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No-Good, Very-Bad day
• Kei Te Pehea Koe? How do you Feel?
• The Dot
• Starving the Anger Gremlin - a workbook for parents and children
• Sesame Street - Feelings
• The Feelings Song

For older tamariki

• The Feelings Book - for girls
• Aroha's Way
• Sitting Still Like a Frog- mindfulness activities

For you

• How to help kids keep calm - All Right Parenting Guide
• There are heaps of great calming and mindfulness apps too

Being grateful and kind

For younger tamariki

• When I’m feeling kind
• Little Bird
• Because Amelia smiled
• The invisible boy
• An awesome book of thanks

For older tamariki

• Wonder
• Any of the Harry Potter series demonstrate kindness
• I am Malala

For you

• How to help kids be grateful and kind - All Right Parenting Guide