Safety, Trauma & Healing
Stories that help children feel seen, understood and supported after life's difficult experiences.
When children experience trauma, loss, uncertainty or overwhelming emotions, it can be hard to find the words for what they are feeling. The books in this collection offer gentle ways to explore safety, trust, grief, resilience, emotional regulation and healing.
These stories create opportunities for children and the adults who care for them to have meaningful conversations, build understanding and discover that healing does not happen alone—it grows through connection, compassion and relationships that feel safe enough to help us begin again.
A Terrible Thing Happened
Author: Margaret M. Holmes
Focus: Trauma, difficult experiences, emotional healing, safety.
A gentle and widely respected story that helps children understand that upsetting or frightening experiences can affect how they feel, think and behave. Through Sherman the raccoon, children learn that talking with a trusted adult can help.
💛 Julie's Treehouse Note
Many children struggle to find words for experiences that have felt scary, confusing or overwhelming. I value this book because it helps children understand that healing begins when they feel safe enough to share their story.
Best for: Ages 5–12
📚 Available to borrow from the Treehouse Library
The Boy Who Was Raised By Dragons
Author: Andy Shepherd
Focus: Belonging, identity, courage, family, emotional growth.
An imaginative and heartwarming story about finding where you belong and learning to understand yourself. Through adventure and friendship, it explores themes of acceptance and connection.
💛 Julie's Treehouse Note
While not specifically a trauma book, many children connect deeply with stories about belonging and finding their place in the world. This book creates wonderful opportunities for conversations about identity, family and self-acceptance.
Best for: Ages 7–12
📚 Available to borrow from the Treehouse Library
Sometimes My Worries Get Too Big
Author: Kari Dunn Buron
Focus: Anxiety, emotional regulation, coping skills, self-awareness.
A practical and child-friendly book designed to help children recognise escalating worries and develop strategies to manage overwhelming emotions.
💛 Julie's Treehouse Note
I frequently recommend this book for children who experience anxiety or intense emotions. It helps children understand that strong feelings are not bad or wrong and offers practical tools to help them feel more in control.
Best for: Ages 5–12
📚 Available to borrow from the Treehouse Library
The Rabbit Listened
Author: Cori Doerrfeld
Focus: Empathy, emotional safety, grief, connection.
A beautifully simple story about what children need most when something difficult happens. It demonstrates the healing power of listening, presence and connection.
💛 Julie's Treehouse Note
This is one of my favourite books for parents, carers and professionals as much as children. It reminds us that children often need connection before solutions and understanding before advice.
Best for: Ages 3–10
📚 Available to borrow from the Treehouse Library
The Bear And the Wildcat
Author: Kazumi Yumoto
Focus: Grief, loss, friendship, healing, hope.
A tender story about a bear grieving the loss of a close friend. Through friendship and music, the story gently explores sadness, remembrance and the gradual return of hope.
💛 Julie's Treehouse Note
I love this book because it honours grief rather than trying to rush children through it. It gently reminds children that sadness is a reflection of love and that healing often happens through connection with others.
Best for: Ages 6–12
📚 Available to borrow from the Treehouse Library
The Boy Who Built A Wall Around Himself
Author: Kara Simpson
Focus: Trust, emotional safety, relationships.
💛 Julie's Treehouse Note
Many children who have experienced change, loss or uncertainty learn to protect themselves. This story gently explores what happens when it begins to feel safe to let others in.
Best for: Ages 5–12
📚 Available to borrow from the Treehouse Library
▶️Watch Read Aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DPOUXUl3So
Healing Days
Author: Susan Farber Straus
Focus: Trauma, recovery, emotional healing, resilience.
A gentle and hopeful book created to help children understand the effects of trauma and the healing process. It normalises difficult feelings while offering reassurance that recovery is possible with support, safety and connection.
💛 Julie's Treehouse Note
I often recommend this book for children who have experienced significant stress, trauma or adversity. It helps children understand that healing takes time and that difficult feelings are a normal part of the journey.
Best for: Ages 6–12
📚 Available to borrow from the Treehouse Library
Trauma Is Really Strange
Author: Steve Haines
Focus: Trauma, brain-body connection, nervous system, healing.
An accessible and engaging book that explains trauma through simple language and illustrations. It helps children and adults understand how trauma affects the brain, body and emotions.
💛 Julie's Treehouse Note
This is one of my favourite resources for helping older children, teenagers and adults understand why trauma can affect behaviour, emotions and relationships long after an event has passed. Knowledge can be incredibly empowering.
Best for: Ages 10+, parents, carers and professionals
📚 Available to borrow from the Treehouse Library
What Do You Do With A Problem?
Author: Kobi Yamada
Focus: Resilience, courage, problem-solving, emotional growth.
A beautifully illustrated story about learning to face worries, challenges and problems rather than avoiding them. It encourages children to see difficulties as opportunities for growth and learning.
💛 Julie's Treehouse Note
Children often tell me they wish their worries would simply disappear. This book gently reminds them that facing challenges can help them discover strengths they didn't know they had.
Best for: Ages 5–12
📚 Available to borrow from the Treehouse Library
The Garden In My Heart
Author: Nikki Rogers
Focus: Emotions, self-awareness, emotional regulation, inner strengths.
A thoughtful story that uses the metaphor of a garden to explore the many emotions children experience. It encourages children to notice, nurture and care for their feelings.
💛 Julie's Treehouse Note
I love the imagery in this book. It helps children understand that all feelings have a place and that caring for their emotional world is just as important as caring for a garden.
Best for: Ages 4–10
📚 Available to borrow from the Treehouse Library
Maybe Days
Author: Jennifer Wilgocki
Focus: Foster care, uncertainty, family change, belonging.
Written specifically for children in foster care, this book acknowledges the uncertainty that often accompanies placement changes and family decisions. It provides language for questions many children carry.
💛 Julie's Treehouse Note
Few books capture the uncertainty of foster care as honestly and respectfully as this one. It helps children understand that it is okay to have questions, worries and mixed feelings when so much feels unknown.
Best for: Ages 4–12
📚 Available to borrow from the Treehouse Library
A Hero Is
Author: Nikki Rogers
Focus: Strengths, resilience, courage, self-belief.
A positive story that encourages children to recognise everyday acts of bravery, kindness and perseverance. It reminds children that heroes come in many forms.
💛 Julie's Treehouse Note
Children who have experienced adversity often underestimate the strength they carry. I use this book to help children recognise the courage they show every day simply by continuing to grow, learn and keep going.
Best for: Ages 5–10
📚 Available to borrow from the Treehouse Library
Let It Go
Author: Rebekah Lipp
Focus: Emotional release, coping skills, resilience, wellbeing.
A story that encourages children to recognise difficult emotions and find healthy ways to release worries, frustration and sadness.
💛 Julie's Treehouse Note
Many children work hard to hold difficult feelings inside. This book opens gentle conversations about expressing emotions safely and learning that it is okay to ask for help when things feel heavy.
Best for: Ages 4–10
📚 Available to borrow from the Treehouse Library