Health and Wellbeing

The reviews which have a blue background have a more adult content so won't be suitable for all.

The grey background indicates resources recommended by staff from Abertay University some of which may have YA content.

Jemima Small Versus the Universe

This books deals with bullying and body image in an honest friendly way. The book is about Jemima and her journey in overcoming these things. It really captures the teenage experience and has a really positive message.

Definitely worth reading.

The Mindfulness Colouring Book: Anti-stress Art Therapy for Busy People by Emma Farrorns

Take a few minutes out of your day, wherever you are, and colour your way back to peace and calm.

Notes on Being Teenage

This book looks at friendship, life online, body image and family. There are so many topics discussed in this book in a friendly way; mental health, love, finding your own style and much more.

I liked this book as it's written in a friendly acceptance of everyone being different and that there is a place for everyone in life.

The Wellbeing Journal

Developed in partnership with Mind, the mental health charity, each page of this gorgeous journal has been thoughtfully crafted and includes activities, colouring, drawing prompts, contemplative quotes and lots of space for you to write about your own thoughts, feelings and experiences.

I Am Here Now: A Creative Mindfulness Guide and Journal

I Am Here Now contains exercises to challenge powers of observation, investigation and cultivation and bring new awareness to senses, thoughts and emotions.

Art Matters by Neil Gaiman and Chris Riddell

'Like a bedtime story for the rest of your life, this is a book to live by. At its core, it's about freeing ideas, shedding fear of failure, and learning that "things can be different". ' - Institute of Imagination

My Hidden Chimp by Professor Steve Peters

Neuroscience explained in a straightforward and intuitive way, it includes suggestions for 10 simple habits that adults and children should have in their arsenal to deal with everyday life, such as: smiling; the importance of talking through feelings; learning how to say sorry; and, knowing how to ask for help.

The Teenage Guide to Stress by Nicola Morgan

Nicola Morgan has written a number of book on stress, anxiety and wellbeing for teenagers and although this book was published in 2014 it still has some really great up to date information and resources to help guide us through this difficult topic. It explains, really simply what stress is, looks at issues that worry many teenagers and offers guidance and ways to deal with the symptoms of stress. Unfortunately, this is is not available on any of the ereading platforms we have been promoting but for this book, unusually, we will point you in the direction of Nicola's website where she has access to some free resources and guides that might be helpful. https://www.nicolamorgan.com

It is worth looking up her other books on whichever well online book buying website you choose. They would be well worth looking at.

Ish by Peter H. Reynolds

Picture books are a great way to access big messages in a quick and often very entertaining way. Ish is about a young boy, Ramon, who loves to draw but is put off when his pictures don't look 'right'. Then his younger sister introduces him to the concept of 'ish' and Ramon's world changes for the better.

The Poetry Pharmacy by William Sieghart

This collection of poems is for adults of all ages and it's a great book for anyone who thinks they don't 'get', or like, poetry. On the left hand pages conditions are identified e.g. loneliness, insecurity, compulsive behaviour and under each the author writes a bit about these and about the poem he prescribes. The accompanying poems are on the right hand pages. This is a book that can be dipped into and a few minutes in the company of its pages can offer new and helpful perspectives.

The Good Egg by Jony John & Pete Oswald

The Good Egg is exactly that...a good egg who is helpful, kind, does things the 'right' way etc. However, they find it very difficult to cope with the 'bad' behaviour of the other eggs in the box!

This is an excellent story about the negative impact of trying to control everyone around you and how you can do things differently.

Night Shift by Debi Gliori

Debi Gliori uses her incredible illustration and writing skills to help people understand what it is like to suffer from depression. At the end of the book she writes about 'spending most of her adult life living through periods of depressive illness' and her hope that her book will help to explain what she and others go through.

Felix Schopp has ADHD and is a regular in the Isolation Room in school. He struggles to concentrate and makes regular funny comments instead of working. Felix spends a lot of time with his grandad who teaches him how to play chess which improves his concentration and his school work.

As this book is written in the first person narrative, it allows the reader to see the thoughts of someone who has ADHD and sympathise with how his actions are easily misunderstood. This is a book full of emotion, with a twist at the end.

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