Inspiring Young Readers

posted on 30 Nov 2025

Big Thoughts by Laura Dockrill, illustrated by Ashling Lindsay

Helping children to learn to recognise and then control their feelings is a subject that is now covered by many books. The sub title of this one adds in a very useful feature as it includes being able to ’Release your worries’. 

When I recently shared ‘Big Thoughts’ with a group of five- year- olds, they were fascinated by the detailed image on the softly coloured front cover. One girl pointed out the big shadow at the feet of the little boy offering ‘That is probably what he is scared of because he doesn’t know it is his own shadow’ and another suggested that the scary looking tiger like creature whooshing above his head was ’something he was trying to forget about.’

We turned the first page in anticipation to be reassured by a double page spread that showed the inside of a pretty ordinary looking hallway with a boy stating ’Today I feel like myself’ as he comes down the stairs with an older girl shown outside with a bike. We decided that they were probably going to enjoy a cycle ride together and hoped that all would go well. One wise member of my group suggested ‘It probably won’t because the story is all about worrying…’ Once again, we turned the page with some trepidation to see three happy looking children riding through some beautiful countryside with text describing some of the things that make the child feel positive:

‘Sunshine on my face

The first footprints in the snow

Shooting stars’

The contrast with the next pages is stark with both illustrations and text showing how worries can make the child in the story feel sick, tearful, listless and lacking appetite. We agreed that these feelings were recognisable and talked about what made children in the group feel that way. The following pages go into more depth about the persistence of these thoughts and how they can dominate:

‘I try to ignore Big Thoughts.

La-la-la-la, I’m not listening.

But the more I try to get rid

Of them, the louder they get.’

We all liked the way that the child learns to share his thoughts with his big sister and to realise that other people have to cope with them as well. We enjoyed the picture that showed him catching the Big Thought in a net and then casting it away. The story ends happily and is followed by some very useful tips and techniques to help children to make themselves feel better in the real world.  

I strongly recommend this thought-provoking, beautifully illustrated picture book that should inspire plenty of interesting discussion. It is published by Walker Books and should be available from your local independent bookshop, who will order it for you if not already one their shelves. 

Karen Argent

December 2025