There’s a Monster Inside Me
This reassuring and empowering story encourages children to embrace their feelings with curiosity, compassion and confidence.
Written by Sybille Sparke · Illustrated by Tom Burchell
Sybille Sparke is a debut author with an interest in the powerful feelings children can experience before they have the words to describe them. She believes stories can offer children a safe space from which to explore emotions that may otherwise feel frightening, confusing or overwhelming.
Her professional background has given her a long-standing interest in emotional wellbeing and human relationships. She is a qualified mental health professional who has worked within the NHS for more than 25 years. Her specialist area is supporting people who have experienced significant trauma as children or as adults. Over decades of listening to her patients' stories, she has witnessed the profound struggles many people endure as they grapple with harsh and critical inner voices. These internal ‘monsters’ can berate, shame and diminish a person's sense of self-worth, often becoming such a powerful presence that they seem impossible to escape.
When a child can put words to what they're feeling, it stops being something frightening they carry alone and becomes something they can share.
The biggest monsters inside us don't need to be defeated. They need to be met with warmth, patience and a little love.
A gentle story gives children room to explore feelings that seem too big or confusing, without ever feeling overwhelmed by them.
A gentle bedtime read for little ones learning to name and befriend their biggest feelings.