FREE RESOURCES

Gentle, supportive materials inspired by Beyond the Blue Forest

These resources are offered freely to help families, teachers, and professionals support children through big emotions, change, and moments of loss - always with creativity and kindness.

Choose the section that fits your needs:

Children often find it easier to explore feelings through story, images, and gentle conversation. Beyond the Blue Forest invites families to share a meaningful story about grief, change, and hope, giving children language and confidence to express what they feel.

For Parents & Caregivers

Helping children understand and express their emotions at home

What’s included

• Guided Activities & Printables
  Memory Leaf templates, Calm Kit worksheets, Kindness prompts, and other helpful sheets encourage creative reflection and safe emotional exploration.

• Discussion Starters
  Prompts help parents ask gentle, open-ended questions about emotions, memories, and coping strategies.

• Practical Guidance
  Tips on reading the book together, responding to feelings, and supporting children through big emotions in a calm, supportive way.

These activities are designed for home use. They are not formal PSHE lessons, but they give parents tools to support emotional literacy, kindness, and resilience in children.

Why it matters

Created by a mother who experienced grief alongside her own children, this book and its activities are intended to:

• Help children recognize and name their feelings

• Encourage reflection on memories and positive coping strategies

• Support connection and empathy within the family

• Provide a gentle, safe way to talk about loss and change

Download the Parent & Child Resources from HERE:

The Beyond the Blue Forest Teacher Resource Pack offers story-led activities designed to help pupils explore emotions safely and meaningfully. Developed by Ildiko Hankoszky, author and illustrator of Beyond the Blue Forest, these resources support discussions about grief, change, resilience, and empathy through engaging, age-appropriate activities.

For Teachers & Schools

Guiding pupils through emotions, grief, and change with stories and creativity

What’s included

• Lesson Plans for KS2, KS3, and KS4
  Each key stage has age-adjusted discussion prompts, creative tasks, and emotion-mapping exercises to help pupils reflect on feelings in a story-led, safe context.

• Printable Worksheets & Activities
  Emotion cards, Memory Leaf templates, Kindness Chain, Glow Thread Memory Stripes, and Souloscope Design Sheets provide tangible ways for pupils to explore and express emotions.

• Guidance for Teachers
  Notes on how to facilitate sensitive conversations, establish a safe learning environment, and use distancing techniques to protect pupils’ emotional wellbeing.

These resources are not part of a formal PSHE programme and are not PSHE-accredited, but they are designed to be safe, classroom-ready, and adaptable for your own lesson plans. Teachers can use them in PSHE, RSHE, Literacy, Art, Drama, or pastoral settings.

Why it matters

Beyond the Blue Forest was created by a parent who navigated grief alongside her children. The lessons help pupils:

• Identify and name emotions

• Understand that grief and change are natural parts of life

• Explore coping strategies and creative self-expression

• Build empathy and peer support skills

Download the Teacher Resource Pack from HERE:

Beyond the Blue Forest offers a gentle, engaging way to help children explore emotions, grief, and change in a safe, creative context. Designed by Ildiko Hankoszky - a parent who navigated grief with her own children - these resources are ideal for therapists, counsellors, and mental health practitioners working with children aged 7–16.

For Mental Health Professionals

Supporting therapeutic conversations with children through story and creativity

What’s included

• Emotion Exploration Tools
  Worksheets, Memory Leaf templates, and Glow Thread activities allow children to express and reflect on feelings visually and creatively.

• Story-Led Discussion Prompts
  Activities use characters and scenarios from the book to “distance” learning, ensuring all children can engage safely, regardless of personal experience.

• Guidance for Practitioners
  Notes on introducing sensitive topics, facilitating reflection, and supporting coping strategies while maintaining emotional safety.

Professional Endorsement

“Beyond the Blue Forest is a very emotionally moving, touching tale about loss, with a comforting end about the hope of acceptance and the ability to remember. It will help both children and adults understand and successfully go through the stages of grief.”
- Marietta Feketene Zsigo, Psychologist, GMBPsS

Why it matters

These materials help practitioners to:

• Support children in recognizing and naming their emotions

• Encourage creative self-expression as a coping strategy

• Explore memories and feelings safely

• Build resilience and understanding in children experiencing grief or change

(Coming Soon!) Download Resources for Professionals from HERE:

Beyond the Blue Forest is a heartfelt children’s story about grief, change, and hope, created by Ildiko Hankoszky, a parent who experienced loss alongside her children. The book is accompanied by creative resources for children, parents, teachers, and mental health professionals.

For Press & Media

Everything you need to know about Beyond the Blue Forest

What’s included

• Press Kit (PDF) — includes author bio, book synopsis, high-resolution images, and quotes

• Psychologist recommendation quote

• Overview of educational and family resources

Why it matters

• Encourages emotional literacy and empathy in children

• Provides safe, story-led ways to explore grief and change

• Recommended by a professional psychologist for supporting children through emotional challenges

• Includes a companion activity book to reinforce learning and self-expression

Download the Press Kit from HERE:

For media inquiries, interviews, or additional images, please contact:
Ildiko Hankoszky
info@lilybudsbooks.com

www.ildikohankoszky.com