The Rosie Room

This is a book that will resonate with parents/carers and children. The book moves from depicting how low mood and depression can creep in slowly, then how support networks try to help, through to learned coping skills, help seeking abilities and resilience for the future.

The book is honest, hopeful and holistic.

Parents could read this with their children and would be suitable for children aged 8+ I'd say (developmentally speaking). I believe the book would be helpful for giving language to experiences that young ones previously may not have and also can open up conversations about low mood.

At the end is a really helpful contribution by Melinda Edwards MBE and Dr Linda Bayliss in the form of a Guide for Parents and Carers.

This is a simple but effective book that will strike a chord with anyone experiencing grief. It depicts the story of loss, the immediate effects and the 'growing around your grief' analogy with the support of those around you.

The book is gentle, genuine and relatable.

Parents could read this with their children and would be suitable for children aged 5+ I'd say (developmentally speaking). I believe this book may pave the way towards normalising feelings and experiences which at the time will feel completely abnormal and unwanted.

My thoughts on this one.... Oh my heart 💔❤️

This book is about a little boy who loves his Grandma and the experience of dementia setting in for her.

This book talks of how confusing, usetting and difficult it can be, but also the realities of moving to a space to be appropriately cared for and keeping who she is in the core of his mind.

Parents could read this with their children and I'd say it was appropriate for any age! There is also a factual couple of pages at the back to help give language to what is going on for the family.

This book is touching, thoughtul and true. 100% recommend.

This book is about a little one whose parents/carers are separating.

It talks of how it might be in the house before people decide to separate in simple, child sensitive ways. It then talks of how loved a child is in spite of parents/carers not being able to live together anymore.

This book acknowledges difficult feelings a child may have around this time (it’s scary, sad and unexpected) but the theme through it all is the love that people have for their child regardless. What I also love is that it is uses gender neutral language.

Parents/carers could read this with their children, as could education professionals supporting a child going through household separation or family members. I'd say it was appropriate for little ones, perhaps 3 and up.

This book is inclusive and insightful.