“Aneena and the Elephant”
Book and workbook (as featured in The Scotsman)
A beautifully illustrated children's story book about helping children understand, navigate and take back control from anxiety.
Aneena is feeling anxious about going to school. Her mind swirls with endless "what ifs," and her body feels shaky and unsure. She wants to go to school but doesn't know how to face her worries.
Everything changes when she meets a wise and kind elephant who helps her discover the strength within herself. Together, they explore simple yet powerful ways to tackle her fears and find her courage.
This gentle and heart warming story, filled with practical tips, is perfect for children who feel nervous about school or any new situation. With its reassuring message, Aneena's journey shows that bravery is already inside you.
Workbook
A downloadable workbook for children, parents, educators, school support staff, counsellors and therapists. It's a gentle, interactive and fun way to reinforce the the simple yet powerful messages and techniques found in the book.
REVIEWS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Jan McKay , Psychological Therapist, CAMHS
“It’s lovely to read about Aneena’s journey with her wise elephant as she is introduced to helpful ideas drawn from evidence based psychological models/CBT. The benefits of cognitive restructuring, grounding techniques and positive self talk are presented in such a beautifully illustrated and age appropriate way for young readers. This book serves as an engaging and accessible resource for parents, teachers and clinicians to support children to try out these techniques and develop skills that will support them to overcome anxiety and improve their confidence and self belief. Children will love the relationship between Aneena and her elephant, and the keen eyed will be really touched by the self affirming reveal in the illustration on the last page. Beautifully put together.
I’ll definitely be adding this book to my resources, and recommending it to my colleagues and the families I work with.”
Cheryl Lessels, Primary School Teacher and Business Owner.
“As an experienced educator and the founder of Happy Thoughts Squad, I’m always on the lookout for resources that support children's emotional well-being in a meaningful, accessible way. Aneena and the Elephant beautifully captures the emotional experience of a child navigating anxiety about school, and offers practical, age-appropriate strategies like positive self-talk and visualisation that children can actually use in real life.
What makes Aneena and the Elephant uniquely suited to schools is how naturally it integrates into Health and Wellbeing within the curriculum, as well as literacy lessons. The story opens up space for rich discussion, self-reflection, and emotional expression, all while reinforcing the power of a growth mindset. The gentle, empathetic narrative paired with the beautiful illustrations help children feel seen and reassured, it’s the kind of book that sparks conversations and builds confidence.
I'd imagine that it'll be a story children return to, not just because they enjoy it, but because they feel empowered by it. Aneena and the Elephant is a powerful tool in any classroom or therapeutic setting and is one that helps children build emotional resilience in a truly child-centred way.”