TESTIMONIAL:
Dear Susan,
I just wanted to write a quick note to say how much we appreciated “Don’t Think About Purple Elephants.” We recently had our Stage Two camp and for many of our Year Three students it was their first time away from home. In leading up to our camp experience we read and discussed your delightful book. During the camp we placed laminated cut outs of purple elephants on the walls of cabins of some of our children to help them with their anxiety at night. It was wonderful to have a common language to talk about feeling worried and a strategy to aid the children.
Thanks Again,
Amy Bibby, Director of Junior Primary
Bishop Tyrrell Anglican College
MEDIA:
SBS, April 2016
Susan Whelan features in a SBS piece on Anxiety Disorders in Kids, a key concept explored in Don’t Think About Purple Elephants.
Sydney Morning Herald, December 2015
“an unexpected and valuable lesson in dealing with anxiety”
Red Reading Hub UK – Jill Bennett reviews Children’s Books
“From the safe place of a story world youngsters can explore ideas and find solutions: the inherent humour of Susan Whelan’s narrative and Gwynneth Jones’ detailed, slightly whimsical illustrations offer one such. Jones portrays how those worries of Sophie’s take hold: as the worries come, the colours drain away, the scenes becoming almost black and white, with just the particular worry colourfully highlighted. Watch that mischievous moggie too. All in all, a super book for home, early years settings and primary schools.”
Carousel UK Magazine, December 2015
“offers a genuine solution for children who feel anxious at night.”
Word Mothers, November 2015
Check out this great interview with author Susan Whelan!
The School Librarian Journal UK, November 2015
“Gentle reassuring story which makes clever use of colour to contrast negative thoughts with more positive ones . . . the story might give a reader the confidence to talk about their own (possibly greater) concerns.”
The Star, October 2015
“Lake Macquarie Libraries will also host special story times throughout October where children will have the opportunity to … hear Susan Whelan share her book, Don’t Think About Purple Elephants.”
School Days, September 2015
“This book is filled with lovely illustrations that children will relate to and sure to enjoy looking at while reading of Sophie’s predicament and the the solution to no more worrying, thanks to purple elephants…”
Swings and Roundabouts, September 2015
“…offers young readers and possibly the adults in their lives a new antidote for anxious kids…a great addition to any centre’s library…”
Creative Kids Tales, August 2015
“Susan Whelan addresses those little worries thoughtfully with a message guaranteed to resonate with parents coping with children with anxiety issues. I was excited to see Creative Kids Tales emerging illustrator, Gwynneth Jones’s illustrations. The bursts of colour and then dark and white images helps with the natural flow of the story. Beautifully expressing Sophie’s changing body language when those troublesome thoughts take over. From to the concerned look as she gently returns her sister’s teddy to Sophie’s twisted figure standing in the river of spilled milk. Gwynneth Jones whimsical illustrations compliment Susan’s caring subtle message.”
Click here to read the whole review!
Jigsaw, August 2015
“discussing Sophie’s worries and what she does to ease them, it is easy to bring up with the children ideas to help them their won worries. I would recommend this book.”
Mums Delivery, August 2015
“My daughter (7yrs) often had nightmares and got scared by a number of things throughout the night that would keep her awake. After reading Don’t Think about Purple Elephants to her, I am happy to say that each night she asks me to come up with a new coloured animal not to think about and sleeps peacefully throughout the night. She has read and re-read the book and while she has really enjoyed it; I have found it very helpful in creating a fun, happy way to avoid the nightmares.”
‘Life as it is’ Blog, July 2015
“Based on the experience the author had with her own seven-year-old daughter, this book has resonated with me. As a child, I was worried about all sorts at night. … I also love that the mum in this book is the hero! I like the humour and honesty in this story. I love that it is a true story and consequently a realistic one. I also love that it will potentially help many children and parents alike as they grow together.”
Click here to read the full review!
Littlebooktastic Blog: “This would be a great book to use in schools too – sadly with things like SATs, kids are all too aware of feeling anxious these days. Young people need guidance about dealing with fears and worries, and I think this is a great book to choose.”
Click here to read the full review!
Mother and Baby, August 2015
“Sophie is a little girl who worries, especially at night, so her mum comes up with a unique, whimsical solution involving little purple elephants”
Little Hands in the Hunter, August 2015
“Whimsical and humourous”
The Bookchook, August 2015
“Jones provides lots to think about in her illustrations. I like the way she used a different palette on the worry pages, and showed us the way anxiety seemed to twist Sophie into knots.”
The Herald on Sunday, July 2015
“if you have an anxious child who worries about the little things then Don’t Think About Purple Elephants is a picture book that can open up discussions about how to push those fears to one side. It might even remind anxious parents to do the same.”
Newcastle Herald, July 2015
“help(s) children feel less alone while dealing with their anxiety”
Little Angel, June 2015
“a great read for everyone, with beautiful illustrations”
Reading Time (Children’s Book Council of Australia), June 2015
“This story could be particularly helpful to share with anxious children or to read to any child to enjoy the antics of the cat and the elephants.”
Family in Focus, June 2015
“Whimsical and humorous, this little girl’s story of finding a way to ease her worry will resonate with children and parents everywhere. Click here to see the website
Upstart, June 2015
Dominion Post, June 2015
Practical Parenting, June 2015
“This whimsical book uses humorous ideas to resonate with littlies and ease their worries.”
Essential Kids, June 2015
“Apart from a practical approach to dealing with worries, the book gently acknowledges that anxiety is commonly experienced and that it has a detrimental impact on our daily lives if left unchecked.”
Good Reading – Review by Jo Burrell, June 2015
“With simplicity and insight, Susan Whelan nails scenarios in which tiny concerns can turn into monsters that drive sleep away … is a must-have bedtime story – and not just for children who find it hard to banish their night-time worries. Not thinking about purple elephants – or blue monkeys – is just plain fun.” **** Jo Burrell
Busy Mums Blog, June 2015
“resonates with children and parents everywhere.”
Read Plus, June 2015
“This book is a fabulous resource, for supporting children’s social and emotional wellbeing, for health practitioners, schools, kindergartens and for families to share.”
Lambton Local, June 2015
“Whimsical and humorous”
Bottom Shelf, June 2015
“This is another title from this independent publisher that is not afraid to tell stories that many children resonate with and seek solace from.”
New Zealand Book Lovers, May 2015
“With a strong message in mindfulness, this is a feel-good book that will be enjoyed just as much by the children being read to as by the adults doing the reading. I imagine that Don’t Think About Purple Elephants will become a bedtime favourite in many homes…and that purple elephants will not be thought about for a long time to come.”
Niu FM Interview with Susan Whelan, May 2015
Space Station Kiwi Radio Interview with Susan Whelan, May 2015
“I was very impressed by the choreographing of emotions, structure and pace of ‘Don’t Think About Purple Elephants’. It reads well aloud and has the child-centred comfort appropriate for the audience age. Beautifully produced and illustrated with a fanciful twist. Highly recommended and think it could also make a great classroom playscript.” ~ Hazel Edwards (author of There is a Hippopotamus on Our Roof of My House Eating Cake)
School Days Magazine, May 2015
“If you have a child who worries about things, all sorts of things, then this delightful book may help”
Pinerolo Newsletter, May 2015
“A lively, engaging and colourful picture book”
Sydney Morning Herald, May 2015
“This picture book offers a gentle way to ease anxiety”
Children’s Books Daily, May 2015
“a delightful book which deals with childhood anxiety in a light-hearted manner, without being at all dismissive”.
Babyology, May 2015
“Apart from a practical approach to dealing with worries, the book gently acknowledges that anxiety is commonly experienced and that it has a detrimental impact on our daily lives if left unchecked.”
Boomerang Blog, May 2015
“Brilliant originality”
ABC Mildura interview with Sheridan Stewart
Bright Start Magazine, April 2015
“A very clever way of reassuring a child of findin ways to manage their worries.”
Gisborne Herald, April 2015
“Dive into a world of big, beautiful and colourful illustrations that take you through the thoughts of Sophie, a little girl who sometimes worries at night time … a humorous approach … easy to read and has a nice message too.”
The Mummy Project, April 2015
“The illustrations are exceptionally imaginative and really bring this story to life”
The Picture Book Place, April 2015
“A fun read with a serious message at heart”
Honey Bee Books, April 2015
“A beautiful and sensitive picture book about finding a way to ease a little girls worries.”
Mummahh Blog, April 2015
“This lovely book has a subtle message for anxious kids and makes a great bedtime story”
Buzzwords, April 2015
“approaches the theme of worry in an imaginative and sensitive way”
Sydney Observer, April 2015
lovely feature article interviewing the author about how her daughter’s experience with anxiety inspired the book.
Child Magazine, April 2015
“a wonderful story for little worries…lets the imagination run wild”
Janeen Brian Blog, April 2015
“a truly delightful book that explodes with colour and energy and carries a wonderful subtle message for anxious kids”
Kids Book Review, April 2015
“packed with colour and creativity, this little girl’s story of finding a way to ease her worry is bound to become a family favourite”
Perth Sunday Times, April 2015
“a beautiful, fun Aussie picture book to subtly help anxious kids ease their fretting”
Review – Author Interviewed on ABC Perth, Breakfast with Eion Cameron, March 25
Check it out here:
Review – School’s Out Magazine, April 2015
“I think everyone would like to think about purple elephants. I do.”
Review – Anita Heiss Blog, April 2015
“A fabulous read. I recommend it as much for adults as kids”
