Finding the right books for young children isn’t just about colourful illustrations or fun characters. For many parents and grandparents, it’s about finding stories that gently support confidence, calm, and emotional understanding.
The Brave & Calm series was created with this very intention in mind.
These are confidence building children’s books designed to help young children feel safe, understood, and encouraged — especially during moments of worry, change, or big feelings.
WHY GENTLE STORIES MATTER FOR YOUNG CHILDRE
Children experience the world with intense emotion, but they don’t always have the words to explain how they feel.
Gentle stories help children:
- Recognise emotions without fear
- Feel reassured rather than overwhelmed
- Learn that bravery can be quiet and gradual
- Build confidence through small steps
Rather than telling children what to feel, calm stories allow them to discover feelings safely through characters they relate to.
INTRODUCING THE BRAVE & CALM SERIES
The Brave & Calm series is a collection of children’s books created for ages 3–7, focusing on emotional wellbeing and confidence-building in a calm, reassuring way.
Each story centres around Murphy, a gentle dog who experiences everyday situations children recognise — moments that involve courage, kindness, friendship, worries, and big emotions.
These books are not loud or fast-paced. They are intentionally slow, soothing, and emotionally supportive.
WHAT MAKES THESE CONFIDENCE BUILDING CHILDREN’S BOOKS DIFFERENT?
Many children’s books focus on excitement and stimulation. The Brave & Calm series takes a different approach.
These stories are designed to:
- Reduce emotional overwhelm
- Encourage emotional safety
- Support self-confidence without pressure
- Create calm reading moments
Children are gently reminded that it’s okay to:
- Feel unsure
- Take their time
- Ask for help
- Grow at their own pace
This makes the series especially helpful for sensitive or anxious children.
THE FIVE BOOKS IN THE BRAVE & CALM SERIES
Each book in the series focuses on a specific emotional theme:
- Murphy Finds His Brave Heart – building confidence and facing fears
- Murphy Makes New Friends – social confidence and belonging
- Murphy Shows Kindness – empathy and compassion
- Murphy Helps with Big Feelings – understanding emotions
- Murphy Helps with Worries – reassurance and calm
Together, they form a gentle emotional toolkit for young children.
WHO THE BRAVE & CALM SERIES IS FOR
These books are ideal for:
- Parents supporting emotional development
- Grandparents sharing calm bedtime stories
- Teachers and early years educators
- Children who feel anxious, shy, or overwhelmed
They are especially helpful during transitions such as starting nursery or school, making friends, or dealing with new emotions.
HELPING CHILDREN BUILD CONFIDENCE FROM THE INSIDE OUT
Confidence in children doesn’t come from being pushed.
It comes from feeling safe.
The Brave & Calm series supports children’s emotional wellbeing by offering stories that reassure, normalise feelings, and gently encourage bravery in everyday moments.
Sometimes, one calm story is enough to start an important conversation.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
The Brave & Calm series was written to support children in the quiet moments — the moments where reassurance matters most.
If these stories help a child feel even a little more confident, calm, or understood, then they have done exactly what they were created to do.
You can explore the Brave & Calm children’s book series here on my website.
also look at: Murphy Helps with Big Feelings
— Linda
