What if the mean things other people say become the mean things your child starts saying to themselves?

Children notice when they’re different. They notice the looks, the laughter and the comments. Whether it’s their teeth, their freckles, their glasses, their body, their coordination – or simply feeling as though they don’t quite fit in – those moments can begin to shape how they see themselves.

Loving the Me I See is a colourful, funny and heartfelt children’s book that helps children discover something powerful: they don’t have to believe every unkind thought that pops into their head.

Meet Crusher – the mean, critical voice that points out everything that might be “wrong”, compares us with others and makes difficult moments feel even harder.

And meet Booster – the kind, encouraging voice inside that helps us remember our strengths, respond to ourselves with compassion and recognise that being different doesn’t mean being less.

Through relatable childhood experiences including teasing, wearing glasses, having freckles, wonky teeth, head lice and feeling awkward or different, children see Crusher at work – and discover how differently things can feel when Booster joins the conversation.

Warm, playful and packed with colourful illustrations, Loving the Me I See opens up important conversations between children and grown-ups about:

• self-talk and the inner critic

• confidence and self-worth

• teasing and hurtful comments

• body image and appearance

• comparison and feeling different

• self-compassion and kindness

• accepting imperfections

• recognising the qualities that make us who we are

Rather than pretending that mean words don’t hurt, this book gives children another way to meet those moments – with kindness, courage and inner strength.

Because children cannot always control what other people say about them.

But they can learn that those words don't have to become the voice they use on themselves.

A meaningful read for children aged approximately 5–10, and for parents, carers, teachers and other grown-ups who want to help children grow up feeling comfortable in their own skin.

They don't have to change who they are to belong.
They are enough, just as they are.