National Literacy
Trust picks

Listens to explore mental health and wellbeing
Discovering listens the whole family can enjoy can be tricky, so who better to share their top picks than our friends and audio advocates the National Literacy Trust. Working with schools and families, the team know a thing or two about what makes the best listen, from immersive soundscapes to enticing narration.

Encourage conversations around mental health and wellbeing with these carefully selected listens. Use Dr. Alex George's practical toolkit A Better Day to help guide conversations around mental health, or explore new emotions with Nadia Shireen's Barbara Throws a Wobbler.
Product list
  • A Better Day cover art

    • A Better Day

    • Your Positive Mental Health Handbook
    • By: Dr. Alex George, Dave Pratt
    • Narrated by: Dr. Alex George
    • Length: 3 hrs and 3 mins
    • Release date: 15-09-22
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 9 ratings
    • A Better Day by Dr. Alex George
    • ‘‘Winner of the Children's Non-Fiction Book of the Year 2023, this book is written and narrated by TV personality and Mental Health Ambassador Dr Alex George. Great for practical ways to stay on top of your mental health.’

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  • The Boy Who Made the World Disappear cover art

    • The Boy Who Made the World Disappear

    • By: Ben Miller
    • Narrated by: Ben Miller
    • Length: 2 hrs and 48 mins
    • Release date: 28-11-19
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 63 ratings
    • The Boy Who Made the World Disappear by Ben Miller
    • ‘Harrison is a boy who can make things he dislikes fall into a black hole. Ben Miller does a great job addressing Harrison's big feelings and how he learns to work with his 'code red' anger outbursts.’

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  • Jack and the Giant Tantrum cover art

    • Jack and the Giant Tantrum

    • Little Monsters, Big Problems
    • By: Louis Growell
    • Narrated by: Mateo Oxley
    • Length: 10 mins
    • Release date: 02-09-21
    • Language: English
    • Not rated yet
    • Jack and the Giant Tantrum by Louis Growell
    • ‘Jack finds it hard to manage his feelings when things don't go right. We love the way his friends explain how this makes them feel, helping everyone to understand each other.’

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  • Barbara Throws a Wobbler and Other Stories cover art

    • Barbara Throws a Wobbler and Other Stories

    • By: Nadia Shireen
    • Narrated by: Ayesha Antoine
    • Length: 34 mins
    • Release date: 03-08-23
    • Language: English
    • Not rated yet
    • Barbara Throws a Wobbler and Other Stories by Nadia Shireen
    • ‘Lots of little things mount up for Barbara causing her to throw a huge wobbler. This story is a fantastic way to start conversations (and laughter!) around the emotions we all feel.’

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  • Jamie cover art

    • Jamie

    • A joyful story of friendship, bravery and acceptance
    • By: L.D. Lapinski
    • Narrated by: Rebecca Hayes
    • Length: 3 hrs and 25 mins
    • Release date: 30-03-23
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 6 ratings
    • Jamie by L. D. Lapinski
    • ‘Jamie's friends and family were supportive when they came out as non-binary. But will they find acceptance from the local single-sex secondary schools? A story about staying true to yourself and standing up for what's right in your community.’

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  • Ella on the Outside cover art

    • Ella on the Outside

    • By: Cath Howe
    • Narrated by: Louiza Patikas
    • Length: 3 hrs and 32 mins
    • Release date: 14-06-18
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 32 ratings
    • Ella on the Outside by Cath Howe
    • ‘Ella is the new girl at school, and she has a secret that is eating her up inside. A relatable story that tackles anxieties around wanting to fit in, with the ultimate positive message of the power of empathy.’

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  • A Different Sort of Normal cover art

    • A Different Sort of Normal

    • By: Abigail Balfe
    • Narrated by: Abigail Balfe
    • Length: 3 hrs and 9 mins
    • Release date: 22-07-21
    • Language: English
    • 5 out of 5 stars 21 ratings
    • A Different Sort of Normal by Abigail Balde
    • ‘Abigail's story of growing up autistic is told with a completely authentic voice that is honest, candid, sensitive and welcoming. A touching and very funny book that will appeal to anyone navigating growing up.’

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  • Puffin Sleepy Tales cover art

    • Puffin Sleepy Tales

    • Ten Stories to Relax and Calm Busy Young Minds at Bedtime
    • By: Puffin
    • Narrated by: Ellie Heydon
    • Length: 2 hrs and 30 mins
    • Release date: 29-08-19
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 25 ratings
    • Puffin Sleepy Tales by Puffin
    • ‘So calming you might struggle to stay awake! A collection of stories, beautifully told and sound designed, developed with the Children's Sleep Charity to promote mindfulness and calm. Ideal for clearing busy minds before bedtime.’

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  • Billy's Bravery cover art

    • Billy's Bravery

    • By: Tom Percival
    • Narrated by: Aysha Kala
    • Length: 3 mins
    • Release date: 27-03-23
    • Language: English
    • Not rated yet
    • Billy's Bravery by Tom Percival
    • ‘Billy is the bravest! Until a voice makes him wonder, what if he looks silly? This World Book Day story is a great way to talk about anxiety with younger children and what it really means to be brave.’

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  • Be You! cover art

    • Be You!

    • By: Peter Reynolds
    • Narrated by: Peter Reynolds
    • Length: 14 mins
    • Release date: 05-12-23
    • Language: English
    • Not rated yet
    • Be You by Peter Reynolds
    • ‘A heart-warming reminder to young children to always be unapologetically themselves. We love that this book encourages children to be confident in trying new things and asking for help if they need it.’

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