A beautiful, hopeful picture book that supports and acknowledges children struggling with complex emotions. The boy in the story experiences (and recovers from) a prolonged period of sadness following the death of his pet dog, but the themes in the story would be useful for many scenarios.
A story about a little girl of pre-school age called Betsy who feels unwell and is taken to see the Doctor for the first time by her mummy. She is worried about letting the Doctor look at her sore ear, but is put at ease when the kind Doctor looks at her toy penguin first.
A visually appealing book for young children which shows children bringing their pets to see a vet. The simple conversational text and lively illustrations may encourage them to talk about the experience and ask questions.
The story shows that appearances are not always as they seem. It has an underlying message that even the youngest and weakest can achieve great and unexpected things with enough determination.
Gives a positive view of disability. The blind central character (Dan), in partnership with his faithful guide dog (Diesel), feels like he can 'conquer the world'. The book skilfully reflects the vulnerability Dan feels when he is separated from Diesel.
This would be a good choice if you are trying to discourage a child from owning a pet that wouldn't be suitable or practical for their household. It also may make a child realise there is sometimes hard work and inconvenience associated with pet ownership.
A positive yet realistic view of what it's like to have a pet in the house. It shows that initial enthusiasm can wane but that it's important to stay the course with an animal.
This could help a child overcome feelings of jealousy and learn to become friends with someone they may have seen as a rival. It could also help a child cope with their feelings when a new baby comes into the family.
