Confidence

Be brave little penguin
by Giles Andreae

Little Penguin Pip-Pip would love to join in with all his friends swimming in the sea, but there’s just one problem – he’s scared of water. Can Pip-Pip overcome his fears and finally take the plunge? This irresistible story shows that sometimes all it takes is a little bit of encouragement – and a whole lot of heart – to finally make that leap!
Age: 3+

The Koala Who Could
by Rachel Bright and Jim Field

Sometimes change comes along whether we like it or not . . . but if you let it, change can be the making of you. Kevin the Koala discovers this and more in this delightful picture book.
Age: 3+

The Lion Inside
by Rachel Bright and Jim Field

Being little isn’t always easy.  But when Mouse sets off on a journey to find his roar, he discovers that even the smallest creature can have the heart of a lion.
Age: 3+

Star Friends
by Tracey Corderoy and Alison Edgson

Gentle story about a little alien who is scared of everything, but once he has made a friend, his confidence begins to grow
Age: 3+

Jabari jumps
by Gaia Cornwall

Working up the courage to take a big, important leap is hard, but Jabari is almost absolutely ready to make a giant splash. In a sweet tale of overcoming your fears, debut author-illustrator Gaia Cornwall captures a moment at the swimming pool between a patient and encouraging father and a determined little boy you can’t help but root for.
Age: 3+

Think big!
by Kes Gray

Humpty Dumpty and his nursery rhyme friends are discussing what they want to be when they grow up. Humpty wants to be a boiled egg, but his friends are encouraging him to think bigger! ‘You could be an artist!’ said Little Boy Blue. ‘Look for clues and become a detective!’ said Little Bo Peep. ‘Buy a pair of football boots and become a footballer,’ said Wee Willy Winky. Will Humpty think big and reach for the stars?
Age: 3+

Girls can do Anything
by Caryl Hart

Challenges all female stereotypes with strong positive role models. The rhyming texts makes this fun to read aloud.
Age: 4+

The Great Big Book of Feelings
by Mary Hoffman and Ros Asquith

All sorts of children in lots of different circumstances respond to the question ‘How are you feeling today?’
Age: 3+

Wibbly Pig’s Silly Big Bear
by Mick Inkpen

Simple story about Wibbly Pig’s silly big bear who has loads of things he can’t do, so what is he good for? The answer if lots of things, illustrating that being clever is not all that counts!
Age: 2+

Two Shy Pandas
by Julia Jarman and Susan Varley

Panda and Pandora live next door to each other but are too shy to say hello and play together.  Will these two shy, lonely little Panda’s ever get the courage to speak to each other?
Age: 3+

A little bit brave
by Nicola Kinnear

Logan is a stay-at-home bunny – but he’s about to discover how brave he really is. It’s time for his first adventure, and he doesn’t want to go. But there’s an amazing world outside, if he can just pluck up courage to look. This is a funny, reassuring story which shows that we’re all braver than we think.
Age: 3+

Sophie Shyosaurus
by Brian Moses and Mike Gordon

Sophie is a very shy dinosaur. She hates meeting someone new or having to stand up and talk in school. Will she ever stop being so shy?
Age: 3+

Miss Hazeltine’s Home for Shy and Fearful Cats
by Alicia Potter and Birgitta Sif

This book is full of scaredy cats. Cats terrified of mice, cats frightened of birds; cats who can’t pounce, cats who won’t purr. Miss Hazeltine takes them all into her Home for Shy and Fearful Cats and she teaches them everything she knows, but will Miss Hazeltine be able to help the most shy and fearful kitty of them all?  This is a story about conquering your fears, being brave and finding your moment to shine.
Age: 4+