Working in Early Years often means putting others first and it’s all too easy to let your own wellbeing fall to the bottom of the pile. But taking care of yourself is an important part of how we care for others.
At eyworks, we know that when you feel calm, supported and emotionally steady, it benefits everyone around you. That’s why we’ve put together a list of ten thoughtful reads that focus on self-care, emotional wellbeing and staying connected to what matters most. These books are practical, inspiring and full of real-life relevance for anyone working with or raising young children.
1. The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read (and Your Children Will Be Glad That You Did) – Philippa Perry
A warm and thoughtful book that encourages you to reflect on how your own upbringing shapes your approach to relationships. Perry offers a kind and practical guide for anyone who wants to strengthen their emotional bonds with children.
- Helps you communicate with more empathy and clarity
- Empowers both personal and professional development
- Encourages thoughtful self-reflection without judgment
2. Daring Greatly – Dr. Brené Brown
Brené Brown’s research on vulnerability and shame is well-known for a reason. This book challenges the idea that vulnerability is weakness and instead shows us how it is the foundation of meaningful relationships and emotional connection.
- Builds emotional resilience and self-trust
- Helps you lead with empathy in care and education settings
- Encourages courage, honesty and deeper relationships
3. 365 Days of Calm – Robyn Martin
A beautifully designed book with daily prompts, affirmations and quotes to help you create small, meaningful moments of calm all year round. When time is short, a single quote or moment of reflection can still make a difference. This book makes self-care feel easy, low-pressure and doable.
- Supports consistent, low-effort self-care
- A helpful tool for team wellbeing rituals or home routines
- Promotes a sense of peace in everyday settings
4. Just One Thing – Dr. Michael Mosley
Sometimes self-care means doing less, not more. This book shares 30 manageable, science-backed habits to boost wellbeing. From singing and meditation to cold showers, it is all about small steps that build resilience and lift your mood.
- Makes emotional wellbeing feel achievable
- Encourages small shifts that reduce stress and anxiety
- A great fit if you struggle to fit self-care into your daily routine
5. Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals – Oliver Burkeman
This isn’t your typical time management book. Burkeman invites you to rethink how you spend your time, not to be more productive, but to live more meaningfully.
- Encourages a healthier relationship with time and priorities
- Helps let go of perfectionism and embrace the present
- Supports a slower, more intentional pace of life
6. Have a Little Faith: A True Story – Mitch Albom
Told through real life stories, this uplifting book explores purpose, compassion and what truly matters. It’s a comforting read and a reminder that what we do quietly, every day, with care really does make a difference.
- Supports emotional wellbeing through calm, reflective storytelling
- Encourages self-kindness and mindful connection with others
- A helpful tool for personal grounding during stressful or busy times
7. The Practice of Not Thinking – Ryūnosuke Koike
This gentle, thoughtful read encourages you to slow down and reconnect with the present moment. Drawing on simple ideas from Zen philosophy, it is a reminder that it is okay to pause, switch off the noise and give your mind a rest. Sometimes, doing nothing at all is exactly what we need.
- Encourages presence and sensory awareness
- Offers simple mindfulness practices for busy lives
- Helps reduce overwhelm and support emotional regulation
8. A Therapeutic Journey – Alain de Botton
From The School of Life collection, this accessible read supports better mental health and emotional wellbeing. With warmth and in simple terms, it helps us reflect on why we feel and respond the way we do. A relatable book for anyone looking to build emotional awareness.
- Encourages emotional reflection without being overwhelming
- Helps you understand yourself and your relationships better
- Supports healthier communication with children, colleagues and families
9. Love In, Love Out – Dr. Malie Coyne
Written by a clinical psychologist and mum, this book is a compassionate, evidence-based guide for supporting children with anxiety. It shows how our own self-care plays a vital role in helping children feel secure. It’s practical, kind and filled with real-life advice for handling our own anxious moments with confidence and care.
- Emphasises the importance of calm, emotionally aware adults
- Helps build strength through compassion
- Offers simple, effective strategies to support anxious children
10. Man’s Search for Meaning – Viktor E. Frankl
A deeply moving book that explores how we find purpose, even in difficult circumstances. Psychiatrist Viktor Frankl draws on his own experience as a Holocaust survivor to explore the link between meaning and emotional resilience. While this might not seem like a traditional self-care read, its core message can help carry us through tough times.
- Encourages reflection on purpose, values and resilience
- Offers emotional perspective and hope
- Nurtures mental health and emotional resilience
Whether you’re a nursery practitioner, room leader, or manager, we hope you find something here that helps you pause, reflect and feel better equipped to look after yourself, so you can keep doing the amazing work you do every day.
eyworks is here to support your whole nursery community. With our Early Years software full of tools to help simplify your business processes and communications, we can help bring a little bit of calm to your day.
To learn more, contact our friendly team at hello@eyworks.co.uk or book a demo today.
