Orla and the Jelly Legs
A story about feeling nervous
 
Orla just wants to be on the stage like her hero Star—but having eight legs can feel very tricky when they turn all wibbly and wobbly with nerves…
Join Orla, her sea friends, and our mascot Rags, as she discovers that everyone feels nervous sometimes—and that those fluttery feelings can even be helpful.
 
Orla and the Jelly Legs is part of the Feelings Collection (yellow) and has been thoughtfully written to gently reflect experiences of anxiety and nervousness, helping young children feel understood, supported, and more confident when facing new or challenging situations.
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 Orla’s underwater 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.