Handbooks for Little Humans: Confidence by Zanni Louise. Illus. by Kim Drane

Confidence is believing in yourself and knowing you can try something, even when it’s hard. It also means be comfortable doing the things you love.

Handbooks for Little Humans: Confidence is the second book in a new series for young children. These books are highly accessible resource guides for both adults and children to engage in meaningful conversations about things that may occur each day.

Confidence is not always about being loud and speaking out. It can be small and quiet. Each person has their own ability to be confident in different ways. There are those children who proudly act on stage, give speeches, compere a school assembly and there are those children who try something by themselves, welcome someone new or quietly watch from the sidelines happy just to be a part of a group.

Throughout this well presented book, examples and strategies are given to be shared and discussed with children including topics such as:

·       What does confidence look like?

·       Believing in yourself

·       But what if we get it wrong?

·       Words for wobbly days with a number of affirmations including ‘I am proud of myself’ and ‘I am enough’

·       Enjoying what you do

·       Being yourself.

The illustrations are bright and appealing and the text is well spaced on each page for ease of reading. In the final pages is an opportunity to reflect on what has been learnt. 

Handbooks for Little Humans: Confidence is a valuable addition to a home, school or public library. It will be an excellent tool to use in the beginning of the new school year when many students struggle with feeling comfortable in a new learning environment. Two further books in the series will be released in 2026: Handbooks for Little Humans: Integrity and Handbooks for Little Humans: Inclusion.

Themes: Survival Guide, Purposeful Conversations, Confidence, Emotional Literacy, Community.

Kathryn Beilby