Inside Out 4 Kids

📚 Book Week 2026 | Linda’s Book Review 📚

It’s Linda’s turn to share a favourite today, with a book that challenges some of the messages children can receive about emotions. 💛

Tough Guys Have Feelings Too 📖

Tough Guys Have Feelings Too is a vivid, comic-style picture book that delivers a message I really value: people who seem tough — because of their jobs, their roles, or the way they present themselves — feel sad, worried, overwhelmed, or in need of a friend just like anyone else.

It’s a gentle reminder for some of our boys who still believe crying is a weakness, showing them instead that emotions are universal and expressing them is healthy.

The bold, eye-catching illustrations make the story engaging, and its quick, simple pacing means it lands its message clearly without dragging.

💛 Reviewed by Linda, IO4K Team Leader & Training Development Coordinator

Follow along this week as our team shares more of the stories we love using in our programs.

📚 Book Week 2026 | April’s Book Review 📚

Today it’s April’s turn to share a book that has become a favourite both at IO4K and at home 💛

When Worry Takes Hold has become one of my favourite books since working for IO4K.

It shows how worries can grow and begin to cloud everything that makes us feel happy and safe. Maya learns that worry has an enemy – courage – and that courage can be as simple as taking a deep breath.

Through breathing and changing her thoughts, Maya begins to feel more in control and learns that while worry may return, courage is just a deep breath away.

I have also read this book to my daughter at home when she was experiencing worries. It was a really helpful tool for her.

A beautiful, simple story with a powerful message for children. 💛📖

💛 Reviewed by April, IO4K Program Facilitator

Follow along this week as our team shares more of the stories we love using in our programs.

📚 Book Week 2026 | Mikkayla’s Book Review 📚

We’re kicking off our week of favourite IO4K books with Mikkayla and a very angry cookie! 🍪😠

💢 “I am warning you! I am very angry and there is nothing you can do about it!” 💢

We know that there are no good or bad emotions, so why do we shy away from anger? 😠

This cookie was angry all day long! But we, the reader, didn’t tell them to stop or move on or quiet down, we just stayed and listened – even when they were being a grumpy lump! 😤

This is a great book for taking a fun and silly start to talking about feeling angry using some very relatable situations – bad haircut anyone?? It also helps to take a peek at some of the other emotions that might be hiding with our anger and help recognise the signs before you become an angry cookie too! 🍪

This is one of the very well-loved books in our Early Childhood Emotional Literacy program, but is fun for all ages! 👴📖

💛 Reviewed by Mikkayla, IO4K Program Facilitator

Follow along this week as our team shares more of the stories we love using in our programs.

🌟 Favourite Activity Friday 🌟

This week’s favourite activity starts with A Bug in a Vacuum by Mélanie Watt

📍 Where do we use it?
Our Change, Grief & Loss program.

💡 What does it teach?
Through paralell characters Fly and Dog’s unexpected journeys, the story gives us a child-friendly way to explore the different stages and feelings that can come with grief and loss.

We then follow the story with our “What’s Missing?” game. Using objects from the book; such as an aeroplane and a marble, children notice and respond as different objects move or disappear. ✈️

This leads into conversations about change: What feels more manageable lots of small changes or one big change? Does everyone feel the same way about change?

🌟 Why it works
The story helps make the experience of grief easier to talk about, while the game takes that learning into something children experience every day: change.
Together, they help children understand that grief can involve many different feelings and responses, and that changes can affect each of us differently. 💛

📚 Books are at the heart of every Inside Out 4 Kids program. These are just some of the stories we use to support children to understand emotions, develop skills and strategies, build positive relationships and foster a sense of belonging.

For our full book list, click the link in the comments below. 👇

All next week, IO4K will be posting daily book reviews featuring some of the stories we use in our programs.
Spoiler alert: things might get a little wild… we’ve got angry cookies, tough guys, and even a rabbit lined up.
Follow along and celebrate the joy of reading with us! 🎉📚"

📚 What story brings back special memories for you? ✨

It could be a bedtime favourite, a treasured childhood book, or a story you love sharing with others.

There's something special about sharing a story at the end of the day. Whether it's a well-loved classic, a funny adventure, or the same book read time and time again, stories create meaningful moments and lasting memories.

Reading together helps build connection, supports language development, sparks imagination, and provides children with a sense of comfort and belonging.

💛 We'd love to hear from you. What story has a special place in your heart?

📖✨

💛 We love seeing our emotional literacy programs in action!

It’s been wonderful to continue our partnership with St Helens District High School this term and spend time with their students exploring feelings, emotions and strategies for managing those big feelings.

We especially love when schools share the language and learning from our sessions with their wider school community as it helps those important conversations continue beyond the classroom. 🌱🧠

Thank you to St Helens District High School (official) for welcoming Inside Out 4 Kids back and for continuing to place such value on children’s emotional wellbeing. 💛

And of course, we’re always happy to hear that PJ, Inky and SuperBrain are making an impression! 😊

Parent Information - Primary Emotional Literacy Kate and Mel from the Inside Out 4 Kids team share with families an...

A huge thank you to the amazing School Health Nurses from Northern Tasmania who joined us during the Term 2 holidays for IO4K facilitator training.
We spent two days diving into the Change, Grief & Loss, and Early Childhood Emotional Literacy programs, exploring practical and engaging ways to help children understand and express their emotions.
Your passion for supporting young people shines through in every discussion and activity.
It was a privilege to train such a thoughtful, committed group.