What can we do when that cold little voice inside our own head tells us that we aren't good enough or smart enough to matter? Or when the voice tells us that we'll never succeed, that we look weird, that we're too tall or too short, that we can't do anything right?
Sometimes all it takes is a bit of self-acceptance and love to make that cold little voice warm right up so that we can become our own best friend.
Alison Hughes
is a veteran writer of picture books and novels, including What Matters, Spare Dog Parts, and Gerbil Uncurled. Her novel Hit the Ground Running was nominated for the Governor General's award in 2017. As a writer, she has drawn on her experience working at a human rights centre, a court of appeal, and an NGO for people with disabilities.
Jan Dolby
is an internationally published illustrator. Her whimsical illustrations can be found in the Gabby series of picture books as well as Lucky Me! and Below the Belt.
"The Cold Little Voice is such a timely picture book in a world where we are constantly hearing about anxiety and mental health in children. While there are other picture books about anxiety and sadness, it is certainly a topic that can grow. This book has a pretty heavy start, and the number of things that are wrong with the child go on for pages. Consequently, while on the one hand the listing can feel a little excessive, it is likely a very real depiction. Chances are that everyone can identify with at least one of the faults that are listed, a situation that will make this book a very accessible read for children and adults alike, one which will spur on a lot of conversation. The illustrations are very descriptive and really show the progression the child goes through by using a lot of dark colours for the sad pages and then brightening right up when the child has escaped the cold voice. The Cold Little Voice is definitely a conversation starter and is useful for children suffering from mental illness as well as for educating others about what mental illness can look like.
Highly Recommended."
— CM Magazine
"This book is a fabulous conversation starter for a very important topic. My kids were thrilled to hear their own experiences with a voice of doubt in this book."
— Kiss the Book blog
"Glad this book was created! The Cold Little Voice calls out that negative inner voice we all experience, shows how empty its claims are, & teaches kids to redirect thoughts toward their inner positive voice & friends who let that positive voice sing."
— Read. Learn. Repeat.
"We can be our own worst enemy, as the cold little voice illustrates in this story of self-acceptance and self-love...It's up to us to warm up that stabbing cold and this sweet story shows us how."
— City Parent
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