Author Welsh launches picture book site for emotional wellbeing

Children’s author Clare Helen Welsh has launched a picture books site aimed at stocking titles covering emotional situations, including family separations and illness.

Books That Help was set up by the former primary school teacher to encourage emotional literacy in children, advocating the use of picture books to help families through hard times.

The site will offer a range of titles focusing on issues including grief, anxiety, well-being and moving house.

Each month, the website will be spotlighting an independent bookshop that is "getting important books into the hands of little readers". The shop’s logo and website links will be promoted on the site and tagged on Books That Help’s social media channels.

"We are honoured to be championing this initiative after having worked with Clare over the years on her own range of picture books that help families through tough times," said Sam Carr, owner of the The Snug Bookshop in Bridgwater. "As booksellers, we are advocates for books that can provide support during those moments when the right words can be difficult to find. The Books That Help site will be a place that families, teachers and healthcare professionals can find the books that can help, all in one place."

Welsh has plans to mentor aspiring children’s authors and to host events for teachers. 

“What a wonderful initiative. Clare Helen Welsh writes the most beautiful books herself, so any collection she curates is sure to be very valuable," said Bob Stone, author and owner of the Write Blend Bookshop.