Stories
Sometimes a story says what a child can't.
Books and audiobooks for children navigating big feelings, difficult changes, absence, difference and the complicated work of growing up.
Explore the Stories →Children's Emotional Wellness
Brave Young Hearts
Stories for the heart. Tools for the journey.
Children don't always have the words for what hurts. We help them find them.
Created by Nancy Hawse
POV:A little peek into the beautiful chaos of my writing brain.
A signature idea
GRIEVING THE NOT DEAD.
For children learning how to love, miss, and make sense of someone who is still alive — but no longer present in the way they need.
Some losses don't come with a funeral.
🖍️ Crayon Confessions™
Things children wish grown-ups knew.
“I don't want to talk about Dad. But I wish someone would ask.”
Adult takeaway
A child can be grieving someone who is still alive.
Brave step
You don't always have to fix the feeling. Sometimes you just have to stay.
Resources
Knowing how you feel is only the beginning.
Practical tools that help children put feelings into words, calm their bodies, repair connection and take their next brave step.
Explore Resources →Method
Big feelings need more than good advice.
The Brave Young Hearts Method gives children and the adults around them a simple way to move from feeling overwhelmed toward understanding, choice and action.
Discover the Method →Stories
Find the story for this moment.
Because sometimes a child doesn't need another lesson. They need to recognize themselves.
I MISS SOMEONE
Stories about absence, separation and connection.
Find a story →I FEEL DIFFERENT
Stories about identity, confidence and belonging.
Find a story →MY FEELINGS ARE TOO BIG
Stories about emotional regulation, impulsivity and overwhelming feelings.
Find a story →THINGS AT HOME ARE CHANGING
Stories about uncertainty, family conflict and difficult transitions.
Find a story →I'M TRYING TO BE BRAVE
Stories about resilience, hope and finding strength.
Find a story →The collection
Stories for real emotional moments.
Control The Buzz
A lively story that helps children understand their big energy and discover positive ways to manage impulses, emotions, and attention.
Also on: Apple BooksSpotify
Door With Code
A heartfelt story about missing Dad, staying connected, and finding comfort in the love between a father and daughter.
Also on: StorytelApple Books
Resources
Feel it. Name it. Work with it.
Children don't need to become experts at hiding difficult feelings. They need safe ways to understand them.
Practical resources turn emotional concepts into something children can do.
Quick Practices
Small tools for one difficult moment.
Focused printable activities for a specific feeling, challenge or conversation.
Danger or Danger Story?
NOTICE → CHECK → CHOOSE
What I Know vs. What I Fear
NOTICE → NAME → CHECK
My Next Brave Step
CHECK → CHOOSE → ACT
I Did Something Hard
NOTICE → RECORD → BUILD
Practice Collections
Coordinated activities for repeated practice.
Resources designed to move from a single conversation toward a repeatable emotional-wellness routine.
Understand My Anxiety
NOTICE → NAME → CHECK
From Worry to Brave Action
CHECK → CHOOSE → BUILD
Featured Toolkit
Brave Young Hearts Toolkit
One system. Four practical tools. A ready-to-use emotional-wellness system for children ages 6–10.
$29
- THE PRACTICE — Printable Practice Pack
- THE IMPLEMENTATION — Quick-Start Guide
- THE CONVERSATION — Family Conversation Cards
- THE CONNECTION — Icebreaker Cube
The Brave Young Hearts Method
Because “calm down” isn't a strategy.
A child in the middle of a big feeling doesn't need a lecture. They need a pathway.
NOTICE
What is happening?
NAME
What am I feeling?
CALM
How can I help my body feel safer?
CHOOSE
What can I do next?
REFLECT
What did I learn?
BRAVE HEART
What is my next brave step?
For Educators & Counselors
Bring the story into the room.
A good story opens a door. The right tool helps a child walk through it.
Brave Young Hearts resources are designed to support conversations about emotions, change, belonging, family circumstances and the experiences children sometimes struggle to explain.
School counselors · Educators · Therapists · Caring professionals
Professional Toolkit
Fear Doesn't Get the Final Word
A practical emotional-wellness toolkit for children ages 6–10 and the adults who support them.
$49
- 21-part digital + printable toolkit
- Conversation Cards
- Caregiver & Counselor Guides
- Five-track Audio Guide
About
I write for the feelings that don't always have names.
Nancy Hawse is a children's author and the creator of Brave Young Hearts. Her stories and practical resources grew from a simple belief: Children deserve language for the things adults sometimes find difficult to talk about.
Brave Young Hearts brings together storytelling, emotional practice and a simple framework for helping children understand what they feel — and what they can do next.
What if we listened to children before asking them to explain?
Meet Nancy →Brave Young Hearts Club
Join the Brave Young Hearts Club.
Join the Brave Young Hearts Club — and get your free emotional-wellness toolkit.
- Emotional understanding and expression — gentle ways to name what they feel.
- Calm breathing and grounding moments — simple, no app required.
- Self-soothing and gentle reflection — for the wobbles before bed.
- A sense of safety, comfort, and reassurance — the whole point.
Stay Close
The conversation continues.
Small thoughts about big feelings, stories worth sharing and things children wish we understood sooner.
LinkedInNancy Hawse
Where I pretend my résumé is tidier than my desk.
Instagram@author.nancy.hawseBooks, light, and an unreasonable number of mugs.
TikTok@authornancy.writesShort videos. Shorter attention spans. It works out.
YouTube@AuthorNancyHawseSlow reading-aloud, for people who left the kettle on.
Pinterest@AuthorNancyHawseBoards I will absolutely act on one day. Probably.
X@Nancy_hawseI post rarely, but with conviction. And then I log off.
FacebookNancy HawseWhere the algorithm and I have an understanding. Mostly.
Threads@author.nancyhawseThoughts, stories, and the occasional plot twist.
WhatsAppNancy HawseQuiet updates, useful resources, and brave-heart moments.