The Reading Well programme

The Reading Agency’s Reading Well programme have some brilliant book lists, specifically selected to help manage health and wellbeing.

There’s something for everyone, with recommended lists for children, teenagers, and adults. Their reading lists can help with a variety of issues, and include recommendations from genres like fiction, medical books, popular science, and more.

You can also find the recommended books at your local library.

Reading can have great benefits for children’s mental health. The National Literacy Trust have lots of resources that may be suitable for siblings and children with complex needs. You can also read more about the benefits of reading for children here.

Whilst reading is not accessible for all children with complex needs, there are tools that can help some children enjoy books. The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) have resources to help visually impaired people enjoy reading.

Please also see our article on Books for Special Situations where we we have listed a variety of books that deal with special and complex situations for parent carers, children and young people, including siblings. Topics covered range from emotional support for parent carers, to addressing the pressures young people with disabled siblings face. Plus top-tips for reading with a child who has complex health needs.