Don't Think About Purple Elephants

Sophie doesn’t worry during the day, when there are friends and family to play with and new things to learn at school.

She worries at night when she’s lying in bed, waiting to fall asleep. What if she forgets to take her lunch to school? What if Mum cooks brussel sprouts for dinner?

Her family tries to help. Emily offers her teddy but Sophie worries Emily won’t be able to sleep. Dad suggests warm milk but Sophie worries she might wet the bed.

Mum tells Sophie not to think about purple elephants. Now Sophie can’t think of anything else, until she falls asleep.

Clever illustrations reflect Sophie’s feelings. When she worries, the world is grey. When she is happy, it is bright and colourful and when the elephants arrive the pages are filled with purple exuberance.

Written with gentle humour, this is a special book – a story that a child will want to hear over and over again and a resource for parents with children who worry.

Reviewed by Sandy Fussell

Title: Don't Think About Purple Elephants
Author: Susan Whelan and Gwynneth Jones
Publisher: Exisle Publishing
Date: April 2015 $24.99 RRP
Type: Picture Book