Mind Yourself reading guide 2020

A themed reading guide detailing the best titles for children and young people aged 0–18 which was produced in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The guide was a ‘first aid kit’ for worries, sadness, loneliness, anxiety and any number of feelings and hopefully a great many young readers found relief and solace in seeing their lives reflected on the page and gained an understanding of what others may be quietly going through.

"As always, we want our guides to enable children and young people – with the help of a family member, carer, teacher or librarian – to find the right book for them at a particular time, and if they’re struggling, to tog sos le scéal or lighten the load with a book."

Mind Yourself was born in a pandemic and was published during an unprecedented time as children and young people returned to school following periods of isolation. We wanted to recognise the very valid feelings that may arise during this time and to provide support for adults who may need a way to start a difficult conversation with a younger person, perhaps by reading a story aloud with them, by leaving a book on their bed with a note or by giving them this guide with a book token to find their own way through it. As always, we want our guides to enable children and young people – with the help of a family member, carer, teacher or librarian – to find the right book for them at a particular time, and if they're struggling, to tog sos le scéal or lighten the load with a book.

Cover illustration by Tarsila Krüse

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