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If you’re already familiar with the shop, then you know I (Liz) love picture books. I think we have some beautiful stories and drawings in this specific type of children’s literature. Picture books also help parents to explain difficult situations/emotions to their children.
And I am so happy to have “talked” to Clare Helen Welsh, the author of 'Moon Bear'. She is the founder of Books That Help. A website where you can find all the picture books you need for yourself and your children.
“Clare is an advocate of sharing picture books to help families through hard times, using them to open conversations about the topics that challenge us. Creating emotionally honest spaces, where children feel able to express their feelings and are supported to navigate them, is essential in today’s world.”
And there’s one more reason I appreciate her work and website:
“Whilst these books have been written with children in mind, #BooksThatHelp firmly believes that picture books are for EVERYONE, written for an audience that includes children, but excludes no-one. Older children - and indeed grown-ups - are very much invited and encouraged to read them too!”
This is something I say in the bookshop as well: you are never too old to read a children’s book. The quality of the stories can be as high as the quality of books for adults. The same goes for YA, you can still read YA - even when you’re older than 18. Books are written for everyone. Okay, okay, a child of four years should not read books aimed at adults. But that goes without saying, right?
Anyway, getting back to Books That Help. If you’re looking for a specific theme, take a look at the website. On top, you have the categories (and there are so many!) you can select. For every subject, Clare has written a few books down. There are books for e.g. Grief, Creativity, Fears, Positive Thinking, and Dementia. Unfortunately, I don’t have all the books in the shop (I wish!). But that’s alright: if you need a book on one of these lists, I can always order it for you. I hope this website will help you to find the right picture books for you and your children!
In the shop in Rennes, we have the following english (picture) books for children:
'A Sprinkle of Happiness' by Lucy Rowland & illustrated by David Litchfield
'No Home For A Ghost' by Jess Rose
'Splash!' by Claire Cashmore & illustrated by Sharon Davey
'The Tide' by Clare Helen Welsh & illustrated by Ashling Lindsay
We also have some other books with important subjects:
Afraid of the dark? There’s 'Moon Bear' by Clare Helen Welsh & illustrated by Carolina T. Godina
Getting a baby brother or sister: When a Dragon Meets a Baby by Caryl Hart & illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw
About Friendship & Courage: Mountain & Cloud by Jana Curll
About Growth & Love: Lizzy and the Cloud by The Fan Brothers