ELSA recommended booklist
These books have been recommended by ELSA’s all over the country. I personally have used many of them. If you need a set of books to start you off then definitely look at this list. If you personally have used any others which you think need adding then please comment below and I will add them.
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We now have our own page on Amazon where you can browse lots of items that we feel might be useful to an ELSA
Please click the Title to find the book on Amazon
CONFLICT
Book about that important word ‘SORRY’
The Boy, the mole, the fox and the Horse
Beautiful book – a good all rounder for many areas of ELSA. Contains lots of lovely quotes about life.
ANXIETY AND WORRIES
This book is fabulous for addressing worries or anxieties with a child.
Little Mouse’s big book of fears
This book is brilliant for exploring fears and opening up discussion with a child.
Book about worries for older children or appealing to boys and girls who love dragons.
Great if you want to make a worry doll too
Great for separation anxiety
This is a workbook to accompany the Invisible string book
A reassuring and hopeful picture book to remind children that bad thoughts and feelings won’t last forever. The Red Tree, is a book about feelings – feelings that can not always be simply expressed in words.
This book is about separation anxiety and is a great way in to talking about being separated from parents or carers.
A lovely coping strategy for separation anxiety.
A story about soothing anxiety.
Bereavement and Loss
This book was gifted to me by the publisher and I loved it so much I wrote a blog about it. – please see our blogpost on this book
This is an activity book for bereavement and is highly recommended.
A beautiful book about Badger who is dying.
The Day the Sea went out and never came back
This is a story for children who have lost someone they love.
please see our blogpost and resources for this book
A book about memories
Self esteem
Superb little book and fantastic for self-esteem
Great for self-esteem and growth mindset
Self-esteem and diversity
– about fitting in
Have you filled a bucket today?
A book filled with happiness
Growing up with a bucket full of happiness
Self-esteem, happiness
Feelings
This is a classic book about feelings and colours
A book about relaxation and coping strategies.
Help children to cope with big feelings.
All about the power of words.
An exploration of colour and emotion
Exploration of anger and could be helpful for autistic children.
Fergal is Fuming!
Story about a dragon with a short temper.
Bullying
Bullies, Bigmouths and so called friends
An old one but a good one about bullying. I first bought this 12 years ago but it has been updated since.
Life Choices, goals and targets
Celebrate life’s ups and downs
Personal space
Help teach children the concept of personal space
Other Resources you will love!
Self Kindness pack – Item 627
This is a self kindness pack for young children. Suitable for ages 5 to 7. The purpose is to instil self care into our youngest…
£2.75
Emoji All Change game – Item 330
Included in the pack: *48 Emoji cards *Pupil game board *Dice net *Dice instructions A fun game suitable for all pupils regardless of age. Give…
£3.00
‘I tried my best’ Motivational Stickers – Item 3301
These are our 'I tried my best' Motivational Stickers. We provide them on easy to use flat A4 sheets. Each sheet contains 35 identical circular…
£7.99
Hi,
I use a set of books by Elaine Slade (she’s a local author) featuring her 2 dogs. They cover issues such as grief, not fitting in, being unique and special. The titles are as follows:
“Oh No, Charley Farley”
“Don’t Be Scared Charley Farley”
“You Can’t Play Charley Farley”
“It’s Okay To Be Sad, Charley Farley”
“What’s Your Christmas Gift, Charley Farley?”
Also “Waterbugs and Dragonflies” when explaining death.
Max Lucardo – “You Are Special”, “You Are Mine” and “The Oak Inside the Acorn” – all are faith-based but they focus on the child being special because of who they are, not what they have etc.
The Drama Llama by Rachel Morrisroe, I love this new picture book all about worries and regularly recommend it to teachers.
I love this list! So helpful to have tried and tested books to use.
May I also suggest, “The Memory Book”,
A Book About Grief by Joanna Rowland.
A very simple, beautifully illustrated book about the death of a special person. It never says who has died, so perfect for ELSA work around grief. The book also encapsulates the idea of creating a memory box.
Great list Debbie, thank you. I’ll be purchasing a few on there.
Worries are like clouds by Shona Innes and Irisz Agocs. Good for exploring worries, how they can make you feel and ideas for dealing with them.
Unfortunately I can’t find this in Amazon and I only link to Amazon. Sorry. If it ever comes available on there I will add to the list.
Fantastic list ! Thanks Debbie x
This one stop shop of support is invaluable. Thank you x
Michael Rosen The Sad Book
Grandpa