Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 June 2025
Roxy Says is a truly wonderful book that serves as a valuable resource for both children and parents. Not only does it capture a child's imagination with its engaging story, but it also addresses the important topic of mental health, highlighting how it can affect both adults and children. The inclusion of interactive resources accessible via a QR code adds an extra layer of practicality, making it a useful tool for families.
I particularly appreciate the affirmations included in the book, as they can be a great daily practice for both adults and children. Normalizing conversations about mental health from a young age is indeed crucial, and this book seems to do an excellent job of encouraging children to talk about it.
I believe this book is a must have for both families and in school settings!
Roxy's story/workbook for children (7yrs+) is designed to Build Resilience, improving Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing.
Roxy's Reviews and Information
When children are in primary school, we can communicate with them in a very special way. They are "children", our babies, who still like getting kisses, hugs and being tucked in at night. They are children, fragile and vulnerable. Unfortunately, that will change when they enter secondary school. Hormones lead to physical and emotional changes, peer pressure, testing boundaries - just ask a parent of any teenager.
It's common for kids in high school (becoming teenagers and turning into young people) to become distant and harder to communicate with. They are growing up, going through physical and mental changes, and being influenced by various influences around them. Unfortunately, this is inevitable, and as communication changes, we feel increasingly challenged and have less control. Statistics show that in the last 10 years there has been an increasing trend towards mental illness, leading to more substance abuse, risky behaviour, and for those who suffer in silence, sadly self-harm. Self-harm is unacceptable in children as it becomes an acceptable coping strategy later in life (NHS Info here). This was a major factor in the design of this project and the development of this workbook.
Roxy Says is a Children’s mental health project for 7-11yrs & SEND.
An engaging interactive resource for adults to read with children. It has been years in development, through a continuous cycle of improvement and have evidenced it’s outcomes. These are to:
- Raise awareness of Mental Health
- Reduce Stigma
- Increase children’s resilience
- Measure and evidence changes
Other biproducts of the project are to:
- Provide and reinforce Emotional Literacy
- Teach Mental Health “Skills” through interactive activities with online resources
- Document activity between the adult and child
- Establish a safe space. Adults to read with children helping to maintain the family unit and future support
- Provide a “holding space” for appropriate children/families on the CAMHS waiting list
This book is aimed at adults reading it with children in Key Stage 2 (7-11 years & SEND). It guides you to create a space where your child can talk in detail about their emotions and feelings in a safe environment with a safe adult. It creates an 'emotional anchor' in the child's life so that later in life, when they want/need to talk, they already have a space to return to. In the new edition, mental health and wellbeing skills are learned using practical exercises and interaction with more online resources via QR Codes.
Give them the tools to talk before high school will help to ensure they don't find poor coping strategies to deal with their feelings and emotions which may not involve us. We were all kids once, but it's not the same for them now as it was for us when we were children. They have grown up with social media, the internet, and a different virtual world. They think and believe their world is normal and has always been this way. We know that's not true because we have seen it change!
We all talk to our children, and this workbook is not just for that. Through stories and exercises, it takes adults and children on a sensitive, empathic journey to reveal the human element in all of us, our emotions and feelings. We do not want them to feel alone and not know how to manage their mental and emotional energy. We want them to be able to talk to us when they need to, to have high self-esteem, to be confident and resilient. These are the tools they need for their lives. This is why we wrote “Roxy’s Says You Are Here”. The school report and feedback confirms that it works.
Apart from the workbook, you only need to invest your time.
> Click here to view the report from our school pilot here <
> Click here to view the feedback from our SEND school pilot here <
> Click here for an Ai Chapter Analysis, Review and Summary using ChatGPT <
Please, take the time to create that space now, Roxy's workbook can guide you through it.
More reviews to come...
"Roxy Says" workbook is available on Amazon:
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DG559ZQH
OR e:mail here for a discount on 20+ copies.
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A Senior Teacher of Key Stage 2 Children
Roxy
In these difficult times, it is imperative that young children have an outlet to discuss their worries and concerns. This book is designed to do just that. Not only is this a book for the present circumstances in which we find ourselves but also one for when we return to what is considered to be ‘normal’.
The Coronavirus lockdown may become a catalyst for parents to hear worries and concerns that may have lain dormant and unexpressed in the hustle of everyday normality. Using this book, and in the safety of their own home, children are given the opportunity to start to explore deep emotions and thoughts that may well have, until now, not found an expression. Once they return to school they will also need the emotional tools to adjust to what was once routine but now represents a new beginning.
For those with old worries and former anxieties about school life from which they have taken a break - they will now face the prospect, perhaps unedifying, of a return to the ‘old order’. For those children this book represents a god-send. Through the medium of simple everyday stories, the characters with their dog Roxy, encounter everyday situations which troubled them. Roxy is the device by which these children turn and face their fears.
Here is a book which encourages a child to discuss these feelings with a parent, teacher or other appropriate adult. In a non-threatening manner, the open-ended questions at the end of each chapter allow them to think about what they could do to help themselves. It also provides for the adult a safe vehicle to introduce subjects in a non judgemental way.
As a senior teacher of Key stage 2 children I can see how this might prove helpful in a school situation.
- G. M (1st May 2020)
An amazingly helpful workbook for children, full of rich language of emotions.
5.0 out of 5 stars
I bought this book to read to my 7 year old son, who is quite a sensitive boy, but also can get emotional and frustrated and didn't know how to deal with his emotions or talk about them.
Not only has the book been really helpful for him but also to me in dealing with my own emotions. It has helped my son access language to describe his emotions and the stories are very engaging with lots of detail and good use of language
The action plans areas at the end of each chapter were particularly useful, stimulating more discussion of how to apply what we had learnt into our daily lives.
It has also been really helpful to have this book over the period of the lockdown, when my son has had a particularly challenging time being away from his friends.
I would highly recommend this book for reading with children of any age over 5.
- T. Patel
(24 May 2020)
MBACP & Certified Play & Creative Arts Therapist for Children and Young People
I was given the book ‘Roxy Says’ to read by Andrew in conversation he shared how he felt the older generation could help the very young generation and visa versa, being a grandparent I agreed. Andrew felt it would be beneficial for a grandparent to read the book with their grandchild being in a more objective perspective, I thought I would give it a go !
I read the book with my grandson who is 8 years old. As a loving nanna I would explain him as being overly active and full of energy. His true nature is caring loving and thoughtful. As a counsellor I would say he holds anxieties and insecurities that keep him searching for reassurance which he gains through trying to control situations. This leads him to feel frustrated and act out in seeking any attention good or bad, to get that one to one recognition which can be seen as challenging behaviour.
I read a chapter each night as suggested. Having pre read the book I was familiar with the story and used my very best story telling voice and tone to create drama and calmness to enhance its telling. At times I would pause and ask what do you think ? or ‘Oh dear can you imagine’ ! The highlighted words were helpful to explore and over the days as we read he would seek them out first. I suggested he could draw a picture after we had read, in which he interpreted the story and feelings from what he had heard and his own perspectives. Being 8 years old at times he became fidgety, I would ask him if he wanted to continue, this way he had choice and control.
I felt the book has been very well thought through with adult support questions enabling the reader to have clarity in how to bring out the best from the context. I did have to break down the content at times into 8 year old bite size snippets by pausing and checking he understood other times he was ahead of me. He enjoyed the word dictionary at the back I felt he liked feeling grown up in ‘using’ the book. The exercise section and action plans support the context while the ethos of the sharing and confiding became very informative. I could see how confused he was in trying to make sense of adult situations and generally a world he has totally no control over. The reactions to life events with the age of emotional and verbal communication as an 8 year old made sense. I feel, the essence of the book really creates a homely picture of a family trying to reassure and be together in acceptance that can come when people share their vulnerabilities. When things are shared open (age appropriate) and spoken about tip toeing round ceases and stops everyone trying to pre-empt and make assumptions that aren’t real. Understanding is shared and the vulnerability of Jan and more importantly all the families feelings are enabled to be explored.
I enjoyed the book and the bonding time with my grandson as he invitingly opened up, leading me into his world. I felt he also listened and respected what I had to share my experiences of life and people.
What I took away with me most was how articulate and insightful my grandson could be when offered the opportunity to share his thoughts and feelings.
As a counsellor, play and creative arts therapist to adults, children and young people I have a desire to support through varying creative mediums. I feel Roxy say’s manages to create inspirational narrative when conjoined with the readers imagination and invaluable own expressed experiences. Its combined outlay, drawings and whole ensemble has been complied with thought compassion and a unity of insightful minds who I feel want to reach out and support others.
- J. M. (14th Sept 2019)
Retired Ofsted Inspector & Head Teacher
‘Roxy says....’ by Andrew Samuels
The book reminded me of the wise words I once read:
I’m always amazed
How you stand so very tall,
How you never give in,
You bend, but never fall !
This book is a good attempt to raise children’s social awareness, self awareness and relationships management. Through Roxy’s stories followed by opportunities of adult led discussions, the children are helped to name and understand feelings and experiences they may be struggling with.
The book addresses many emotions, behavioural and learning challenges that children face. Roxy’s stories are designed to support children’s mental health and other common challenges like dealing with painful experiences or coping with strong emotions and anxiety. Stories, as we know of numerous family incidents or simple acts of kindness can help children feel connected. This book successfully provides that and more in terms of children’s emotional literacy development.
‘Roxy’s safe place was always her heart...’, says a great deal in one of the stories.
A lot depends on how well this book is used to help children’s emotional well being.
The book addresses many emotional issues, for example, how to be resilient, persevere and never give up.
A child once wrote:
Never give up
It’s not always lucky,
Resilience is key,
Even if it’s tricky.
I wish Andrew Samuels all the success.
Regards
R. A., Ex Ofsted Inspector.
26 January 2020
Dedicated Mum of 9yr old
A book essentially about emotions, its narrative follows a dog, Roxy, and its adventures with family and friends. With each chapter representing a specific emotion set in an engaging scenario that a child can relate, the book aims to educate children on various feelings and how they can be managed. Throughout the chapters, specific words are highlighted and these are associated with various emotions felt by different characters. The meaning of the words is found in a glossary at the back of the book.
While reading the book to my daughter, we were able to discuss Roxy’s and the other character’s reaction to different situations and circumstances. The questions from the guide initiated the start of many conversations regarding emotional wellbeing, which I wouldn’t have otherwise had with my 9-year-old daughter.
This book is a good opportunity to delve into the complexities of feelings and emotions in a way which isn’t intrusive to children."
- S. M. (31st March '19)
Key Stage 2 Tutor
A well written and structured set of stories about Roxy that portray:
1. Humility - a core principle of human behaviour that ensures we are patient and respectful enough to appreciate the positive differences in all of us;
2. Attention - so that we can fully grasp the inter- communication among ourselves;
3. Resilience - so we are aware that there will always be challenges and that giving up is not a favourable option.
This book will engage children well as it uses a wide range of descriptive terms to alert readers about the 'feelings' they are experiencing or showing to others around them.
Would recommend it to children, parents, teachers and anyone working with young people.
- Walter
KS2 Tutor
(29th July 2020)
Adult Psychiatrist and Grandmother
ADVENTURES OF ROXY THE DOG AND HER FRIENDS WRITTEN BY ANDREW SAMUELS is a book which is easily readable, likeable and with illustrations which help you understand. It raises awareness of mental health study and could be part of a school program during 10 to 15 years of age. This book contains emotions which are broadly written in different chapters e.g. Cheerful, frustrated, depressed, hopeless, angry. Which helps you to understand that the person is going through different stages. It's about a female child dog called Roxy, her parents, friends and people like greengrocers, fish mongers, butchers, etc.
It can be used for cognitive therapies e.g. Talking Therapies. It talks about mental health and how to sort it out; it's stigma and how to reduce it. It is well written, once you start reading you continue to read as if a ball is rolling. You feel like Roxy is a baby girl who deals with emotional problems and tries to sort them out with her experiences. First she sorts out the problem about an old lady who was stunned and shocked behind a car wheel after an accident. When the driver in a lorry realised that it is an old lady he was compassionate, calm and embarrassed. Roxy realised some can be crazy and angry, and irritable, however, the exact same person can be kind and caring.
When Ray the dad was on the phone and Jan the mum tries to talk to him, Ray raises his hand and brushed her away - she felt offended, stunned and rejected. Later they talked about the incident and resolved it.
It is well written and easily understandable. At the end of each chapter it asks some questions - some of the answers are in the brackets which helps one understand it better.
I thoroughly enjoyed this and recommend it to others.
Dr Anjala Gupte
Retired Psychiatrist
Northwick Park Hospital
This is a Mental Health Book for 7-11year olds
The Adventures of Roxy the Dog
This is a Mental Health Book for 7-11year olds.
The story is an engaging journey with Roxy. The book is broken down into chapters which following from each other in an orderly and progressive manner. Some difficult areas are covered in a sensitive way with plenty of space for discussion.
There are excellent activities suggested that help the understanding of some of the more complex topics.
This book will appeal to many of the appropriate age, but will also assist those adults reading the book with children.
Reviewer: Dr Peter Ellis