Lauren Thompson (text), and Kayla Lee (illustrator), There’s a Bully in my Brain, Little Steps, January 2023, 28 pp., RRP $16.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781922678171
Being kinder to ourselves promotes a healthier self-esteem, and this book inspires and empowers children to challenge and take on the bully in their brain to develop a more positive mindset.
Lauren Thompson explores negative self-talk and the impact it can have. Her words, paired with Kayla Lee’s illustrations effectively communicate valuable messages in a way which is easy to understand for children of all ages.
At the beginning of the story the pages are dark and gloomy with the bully inside the girl’s brain telling her she should give up, she’s not smart enough, and doesn’t look good in what she wears. Until one day she has had enough and shouts at the bully. From here the pages are bright and cheerful, with the girl challenging the bully inside her brain and using positive self-talk and kindness to build herself up. She notices the things she’s good at and the things she likes about herself.
The girl soon realises that while the bully in her brain might sneak in from time to time, she is the boss and has a choice to stand up to it and ‘let kindness rule the day’.
This book has such an important message for all children and is a useful tool to inspire them to be kinder to themselves and to challenge their own negative self-talk.
Reviewed by Raquel Mayman
