"Roxy's Dream"

A Mental Health Book for Early Years (3-7yrs)

A heart-warming story that encourages young children to manage & share their feelings.

An Independent project by Janet Collins. 


For more information, fill your contact details into the form below and we’ll get back to you. 


Now Available on Amazon (Click Here)
quotesArtboard 1 copy 2

Review: Roxy’s Dream

Susan

B.Ed.Hons

Teacher EYFS and KS1

 

"I enjoyed reading this book and so did my 9 year old granddaughter who found it very engaging. The story has been written at just the right level for 3-5 year olds and will be a tool to open many conversations between the adult and children. They will learn to express difficult emotions and to feel safe telling how they feel to a trusted adult. They can also explore what it is to follow a healthy lifestyle and how that can help us to feel better about ourselves.

 

The book clearly sets out its goals which are then broken down into themes, each of which can take the form of a lesson. Including the lead in, there are four lesson themes to follow. The material could be expanded into a ‘topic’ covering several areas of learning/knowledge in one go and even presented to Year 1. On the other hand, it can be simplified for younger children or those with learning difficulties. The book can also be used as a springboard to develop speaking and listening skills. The illustrations are engaging with plenty to look at and talk about. The characters have expressive faces that the children could copy – show me a worried face….what might make you feel like that? The children will also love the idea of Chelsea, the superhero cat that appears in Roxy’s Dream, to help her. 

 

I also believe that this book has huge lessons for busy parents to provide and model to their children how to talk and listen to their child on a daily basis; to set aside quality time each day for a ‘chat’. The parent will come to realise how important it is to think into their child’s mind, asking them how they feel about things that have happened that day; keeping communication open from an early age. Talking to mum and/or dad should become a natural everyday event."

 

S. M. Cosgrave

Registered childminder with over 24 years experience



This book can be used and adapted to all ages.
I read this book to 3-4 year olds. They loved the colourful pictures and the characters. I used the book in a reading session with a group of childminders and the children. They were totally engaged with the story and the characters.


The children shared some of their stories and experiences with moving house and their friends moving away. It was a total success. I used it as a reading tool for my childminding children. One who is 3 almost 4 and a one year old. Both of them loved the story for different reasons. The 3 year old because she too has a nut allergy and she could identify with the character. She told mum all about the story and was delighted that she’d read such a big story book. She loved the idea of a dream being in a bubble.


The 1 year old loved looking at the pictures and copying the noises of the characters dog, cat etc and he’s understanding will grow and grow with the book. We did indoor and outdoor exercise and copied the characters suggestions. The next time we read it we discussed what other exercises we could do. We have started using different statements as in I can do the obstacle course or I can achieve great things if I do the challenge or task.  We discussed people that she can talk to about how she’s feeling and my favourite thing about this book is the so simple way of explaining anxiety, worry as butterflies in your tummy. The children understood right away what we were talking about.


I’m using this tool along with other methods. I have a mood board that has the children’s photos on it. They have different pictures of happy, sad, excited etc and we looked at Roxy’s faces to see if she was happy, sad, anxious etc.  Since starting this book as part of our reading journey I can say (as can mum) that there’s been a huge difference between how vocal my childminding child has been. This is definitely a big part of the change.


Thank you for reading my review.

I am a KS2 teacher and this is a fantastic book for addressing mental health in children. The book is divided into sections and highlights different themes. The questions at the end of each section are also very helpful. The pictures are eye catching and also tells a story. The characters are easily relatable. 


My children who are 9 and 7 couldn’t put this book down and we had great opportunities to discuss feelings and themes from the story. 

Winnette

KS2 Teacher

Harrow

I have enjoyed reading your book. It is lovely and very relevant to what educators in school are looking for. The information guide at the start is very useful, as are the ideas for how to develop more positive feelings and the clear themes.

 

It is very age appropriate - I really cannot suggest anything overly major to improve! The only thing to consider is to have a friend in the book who is not fully able bodied - perhaps in a wheelchair?


Lisa

Teacher

Harrow

I think this is a great book that encourages children to talk openly and freely about their emotions, which is so important to do from an early age. It also offers good ideas of ways to help children deal with their emotions.

The book has been well thought out and has good ideas for activities to do with the children that go alongside the story. The illustrations are colourful, fun and engaging, so will help to keep the children’s attention.


I feel this book is a great tool for any early years educators but would also be useful for parents/carers wanting to help their children talk more openly about their feelings and emotions.

Jenny

Children and Families Worker

Harrow


Miki

Teacher

"Thank you for letting me share your lovely book. I think it will be a good support for parents, carers, and those of us who work closely with children.


The story about Roxy is a wonderful way to open opportunities to reflect and support conversations about changes and worries about how they feel. It’s never too early to understand that we all feel sad, anxious, and scared at times and that this is OK.


The suggestions for questions and the vocabulary introduced will be very helpful to adults and children sharing the story. I think a blank speech or thought bubble to facilitate ideas of how Roxy feels is the only thing I can think of to add to this thoughtful and encouraging book.


I am sure it will make a positive way to help small children cope with how they feel and encourage them to share their feelings. I know your book is going to make a real difference at a crucial stage in a child’s development and will be worth all the hours of hard work that has obviously been put into it."

Headstone Manor Park Workshop Feedback

Click to view the full feedback sheet.

"Very interactive and engaging"

"Recommended...Relates to children's understanding."

"It will definitely help children"

"I loved it. Recommended....because it's fun."

Roxy's Dream

for Early Years

(3-7yrs)

If you would like us to contact you, please submit your details.

 

(m):  (+44) 07387 106901

info@mind-angels.com

 

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