1
Ella the Elephant
Breathe Deep, Little Ella!
When Ella gets angry, the whole savannah shakes. But little bird Piet shows her a trick that blows the anger right away.
Theme: Anger
Rhyming picture books · for ages 2 to 5
Animals with big feelings, soft rhymes to say together and a small ritual at the end of every book – so the day can wind down gently and there is a little more courage for tomorrow.
Anger, fear of the dark, shyness, saying goodbye: every book takes one big feeling seriously and shows a gentle way through it.
A repeating refrain quickly turns children into co-storytellers – and gives the reading a calm, steady rhythm.
A join-in spread at the end of each book offers a small exercise – breathing, cuddling or trying something new – for everyday life.
Side characters get books of their own, so children meet familiar faces again – all the way to the big search-and-find party.
The first book · Volume 11
Pablo the little panda is not one bit tired at bedtime. He hops, tumbles and wriggles – until Grandma Mei shows him how to grow still and calm: listen, look and breathe deep into your tummy.
Say it together: “Hush, all hush.”
Twelve animals with big feelings, nine reunions with their friends – and finally a big party where everyone comes together.
A tiny ladybird hides on every spread of every book. And there is one sitting very quietly somewhere on this website, too. Can you find it?
About me
My son is a gentle, quiet little person. He likes to watch for a while before he joins in. Loud rooms, lots of children, new situations – all of that takes a great deal of courage for him.
In the evening, when the day grows quiet, we read together. And I noticed: in those minutes, snuggled up with an animal who is going through exactly what he is going through, he finds something to hold on to. And sometimes a little piece of courage for the next day.
That is how the Little Courage Makers began. Stories for children who are quieter than others – and for everyone who is sometimes angry, scared or sad. My wish is that as many gentle souls as possible feel it while being read to, in whatever language: you are just right, exactly as you are.
Tim Leuthner · Dad, bedtime reader and author from Worms, Germany
These books are made for calm reading aloud – ideally in the evening, as the last moment of the day.
Take your time and leave pauses. With every spread the pictures grow darker and more evening-like – the story carries you into the night.
Let your child finish the repeating verse. It makes them proud and gives them confidence – even during the day, when the feeling comes back.
Trunk breathing like Ella, paw in paw like the otters, the stop game with Mimi: every book ends with a small exercise for your everyday life.
Colouring pages, join-in cards and ideas for nurseries: coming with the first book.
The first books are in preparation. Once they are out, you can order the hardcover from any bookshop or get the e-book. Write to me if you would like to hear when they are out.
I love hearing from families, nurseries, bookshops, the press and publishers all over the world.
Story times in nurseries, libraries and bookshops – in person around Worms and online anywhere.
Review copies, press images and trade terms for booksellers on request.
Translation and foreign rights, audiobook, animation, film and series or toys: I look forward to hearing from you.
Write to me: info@leuthner.consulting