Children’s Mental Health Week – new books to explore with your class

Children’s Mental Health Week 2025

3-9th February

This year, the theme is ‘Know Yourself, Grow Yourself’. This theme encourages children to explore their own emotions, interests, likes and dislikes. Understanding ourselves better is the first step to being able to express how we feel, get help when we need it and celebrate the things that bring us joy!

Here are some fantastic, recently released books, to explore with your class. Perfect for Children’s Mental Health Week and beyond!

Someone Just Like You by Helen Docherty and David Roberts.

Age Range: EYFS

A beautiful book that explores empathy and kindness, asking a very important question about how we perceive identity. Essential reading!

Bea’s Bad Day by Tom Percival

Age Range: KS1

We all love Tom Percival’s books, so we are delighted that this new addition to the ‘Big Bright Feelings’ series has been released. This time, the story follows Bea as she navigates a disappointing day. It sensitively validates this very common feeling while carefully balancing it with perspective. The result is a book that feels supportive and kind, in-keeping with all the books in this series.

The Boy, the Troll and the Chalk by Anne Booth and David Litchfield.

Age Range: KS1

With illustrations by David Litchfield (one of our favourites!), this is a stunning book about the power of taking the first step. It is wonderful for exploring friendship and emotions, and particularly how we can stand up for each other in unique and new ways.

The Beanstalk Murder: A giant-sized murder mystery by P.G. Bell.

Age Range: KS2

A great murder mystery chapter book that allows you to subtly weave in themes of resilience and self-discovery.

North and the Only One by Vashti Hardy and Scholastic.

Age Range: UKS2

A really interesting concept that it certain to entice KS2 classes. Rose wakes up unable to remember anything about her life, besides her dog North. There is something mysterious and vaguely familiar about the forest near her house and the city that surrounds them. Rose must discover the secrets that lie outside, and in doing so will learn about who she is and her place in the world.