Connie is a Wildflower
A story about feeling different
 
“You’re strong, Connie. You are a wildflower!”
Connie the cornflower grows up in a garden filled with neat tulips and rows of roses, where everything looks the same. She can’t help but feel a little different. But with the help of a friend, and of course, our mascot Rags, Connie begins to discover that standing out might just be her greatest strength.
Connie is a Wildflower is part of the Diversity Collection (green) and has been thoughtfully written to gently reflect experiences of feeling different, helping young children build confidence, self-acceptance, and a sense of pride in who they are.
Written by Gillian Murgatroyd, a children's play and creative arts therapist, this story has been designed to support emotional understanding through play, imagination, and connection.
Each book in the Emotions at Play series also includes:
A simple science experiment linked to the story
A game for connection to help strengthen relationships between child and caregiver
A creative art activity
A hands-on craft idea
Gentle sensory play suggestions
Fun facts and jokes woven throughout for lightness and engagement
But the story doesn’t end there…
At the back of every book, you’ll find a QR code that leads to additional support materials created for the adults around the child. These include:
Information about the specific emotional theme the story explores
Practical tips and strategies that Gillian would typically share with parents, carers, teachers, and therapists in her own clinical practice
Guidance to help support emotional understanding at home, in schools, or in therapy settings
The books are illustrated by Sarah-Leigh Wills, an award-winning illustrator who has created hundreds of children’s books, bringing Connie’s world to life with warmth, colour, and imagination.
 
The Emotions at Play series combines therapeutic storytelling, playful connection, and real-world support for families and professionals—helping children make sense of their feelings in a safe, creative, and meaningful way.