The Practice Bookclub: Children, Young People, Adolescents and Parents

Mental Health Book Recommendations for Children, Teens & Parents
Supporting emotional wellbeing at every stage of life

Primary school

Why Johnny Doesn’t Flap, Clay Morton and Gail Morton
This clever and heartwarming book flips the usual perspective by telling the story from a neurodivergent boy’s point of view. It shows how he accepts his neurotypical friend Johnny, even though Johnny does things differently. With humour and empathy, the book promotes understanding, inclusion, and the idea that different doesn’t mean wrong. A great tool for starting conversations about neurodiversity.

Pablo (A book series for younger children about being different).
Pablo thinks differently, he is autistic and uses his creativity to understand the world around him.  Pablo draws the Book Animals, and together they help each other face the world with confidence.

The Secret Life of Rose, Jodie Clarke and Rose Smitten
Written by an 11-year-old autistic person, with support from her mum.  Answers all sorts of questions and helps to make sense of what it can mean to be autistic.  A good book for primary age and older children who can read.  Also good for parents to read with children.

A Kind Spark, Elle McNicholl
A fictional book with neurodiversity affirmative characters and storylines (for older children). Adapted to children and young people drama for young people.  https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/shows/a-kind-of-spark

Speak up, Rebecca Burgess
A comic book style novel all about being 12 years old, autistic and trying to express your true self when faced by being defined by difference.

Teens

A Different Sort of Normal, Abigail Balfe. 
An upfront and realistic personal account of being an autistic young person – with a good dose of humour, lots of fun illustrations and practical advice.

Autism, Bullying and Me, Emily Lovegrove
The really useful stuff you need to know about coping with bullying

You Don’t Understand Me, Tara Porter
A great read for both teenage girls (aged 13–16) and their parents. Thoughtfully written and deeply insightful, she blends clinical expertise with compassion, providing clear strategies to help young women navigate challenges such as friendship struggles, body image concerns, and mental health issues. She also addresses the unique pressures of growing up in today’s culture—one that offers more freedoms than ever, but also greater pressures in an uncertain world. Unlike some teen parenting books Dr Porter is more realistic than idealistic in her approach.  This book provides some tools to create better communication and mutual understanding between teens and the parents.

All Ages

Being Rock, Mandy Preece
Redefines listening and emphasizes the importance of being present and supportive for both oneself and others. It's not just about hearing but truly listening and responding in a way that makes someone feel heard. The book encourages self-care and reconnecting with oneself and others. 

Confident You, Body Confident Kid Body, Charlotte Ord
For any parent or caregiver who is concerned about their kid’s body image and/or eating, or who struggles with their own body image and is worried about the impact on their kids.

The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read (and Your Children Will Be Glad That You Did), Phillipa Perry
A guide for parents on how to improve their relationships with their children. It focuses on understanding how past experiences shape parenting styles and offers insights into building stronger, healthier bonds with children. The book emphasizes empathy, communication, and self-awareness as key elements in positive parenting.

Whole Brain Child, Daniel J. Siegel
Demystifying the meltdowns and aggravation, explaining the new science of how a child’s brain is wired and how it matures. The “upstairs brain,” which makes decisions and balances emotions, is under construction until the mid-twenties. And especially in young children, the right brain and its emotions tend to rule over the logic of the left brain. No wonder kids can seem-and feel-so out of control. By applying these discoveries to everyday parenting, you can turn any outburst, argument, or fear into a chance to integrate your child’s brain and foster vital growth. 

Calm Parents, Happy Kids, Laura Markham
An approach to parenting that eliminates threats, power struggles and manipulation, in favour of setting limits with empathy and communication.  More help and information can be found on her website: https://www.peacefulparenthappykids.com/

Between Parent and Child and Between Parent and Teenager, Dr Haim Ginnott
A straightforward prescription for empathetic yet disciplined child rearing and introduces new communication techniques that change the way parents spoke with, and listened to, their children.

What About Men?  Caitlin Moran
Both laugh-out-loud funny and devastatingly truthful, this is the essential handbook on 21st century masculinity: the birth-to-death guide on how to help boys rebel against anger, cynicism, misogyny and despair, and find the joy in being a boy

No Filters: A Mother and Teenage Daughter Love Story, Christie Watson & Rowan Egberongbe
A powerful cross-generational memoir of a teenage mental health crisis - particularly impactful for families navigating complex or disrupted dynamics. Widely praised in the UK media.

Hold on To Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Peers by Gabor Mate
A real focus on attachment and the importance of a secure attachment base. It looks at the challenges around teen ‘peer orientation’ depending on the stages of development. Teens attaching to their peers, impacting family relationships and emotional development. Also offers practical advice on how to ‘reattach’ to sons and daughters, establish the hierarchy at home, make children feel safe and understood, and earn back your children's loyalty and love. This updated edition also addresses the unprecedented parenting challenges posed by the rise of digital devices and social media.

You Think I'm Evil. : Practical Strategies for Working With Rebellious and Aggressive Adolescents, David Taransaud
Jargon free and engaging, You think I'm Evil. takes the reader on a fascinating journey into the hidden inner territory of troubled and troubling adolescents. It offers new perspectives to help professionals reframe our ideas about what is driving their behaviour and attitude. In recognising the limitations of everyday language, the book suggests new forms of creative expression, drawn from teenage preferences, allowing both adult and adolescent to safely explore the young person's inner and outer world together.

The Gift of Failure, Jessica Lahey
In The Gift of Failure, Jessica Lahey, educator and mother, offers a compassionate and empowering message for today’s parents: letting kids struggle is one of the greatest gifts we can give them. With warmth, insight, and practical advice, Lahey explores how overparenting can undermine children’s independence, resilience, and long-term success. Drawing on research and real-life stories, she shows how stepping back—and allowing our children to make mistakes—helps them develop the skills, confidence, and grit they need to thrive both in and out of the classroom. A must-read for any parent who wants to raise capable, self-reliant kids.

No-Drama Discipline, Daniel J. Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson:
In No-Drama Discipline, renowned experts Dr. Daniel Siegel and Dr. Tina Payne Bryson offer a groundbreaking approach to discipline that focuses on connection, not conflict. Backed by the latest brain science, this compassionate guide helps parents understand the why behind their child’s behaviour—and how to respond in ways that calm the chaos while nurturing emotional intelligence and long-term growth. With practical strategies, real-life examples, and easy-to-follow tools, No-Drama Discipline empowers parents to set boundaries with empathy, reduce power struggles, and build stronger, more respectful relationships with their children.

Your Child is Not Broken: Parent Your Neurodivergent Child Without Losing Your Marbles, Heidi Mavir:
Your Child is Not Broken is a bold, honest, and deeply encouraging guide for parents raising neurodivergent children. Written by advocate and parent Heidi Mavir, this book challenges outdated parenting norms and offers a refreshingly real approach to supporting kids with ADHD, autism, or other neurodivergent profiles. With humour, heart, and lived experience, Mavir helps parents let go of guilt, trust their instincts, and embrace their child’s unique way of being. Full of practical tips and hard-won wisdom, this book is a lifeline for anyone feeling overwhelmed, judged, or alone on the parenting journey.