Books to Inspire: April 2026
The Anxious Generation
By Jonathan Haidt
In The Anxious Generation, social psychologist Jonathan Haidt explores the rise in anxiety and emotional fragility among young people, tracing it to the shift from play-based to phone-based childhoods. Drawing on research and cultural insights, he argues that constant connectivity, social comparison, and reduced independence have reshaped how children build confidence and resilience.
Rather than simply criticising screens, Haidt calls for restoring what helps children truly thrive: unstructured play, real-world friendships, manageable risk, and sustained attention. When focus is fragmented and childhood becomes more virtual than physical, joy and self-assurance quietly diminish.
The book ultimately offers a hopeful recalibration. By protecting time, presence, and meaningful connection, families and schools can create steadier environments where children feel secure, capable, and free to grow, laying the groundwork for deeper, more lasting wellbeing.
The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt was published by Penguin Press in 2024. A copy can be found in the non-fiction section of Neilson Hays Library.
The Rabbit Listened
Written and illustrated by Cori Doerrfeld
The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld is a gentle, powerful reminder of what children truly need when things fall apart. After Taylor’s carefully built tower crashes, a stream of animals arrive with advice—to fix it, dismiss it, or get angry. None of it helps. Only the rabbit, who quietly sits and listens, makes a difference.
With soft illustrations and minimal text, the story captures a truth many adults forget: children don’t always need solutions. They need presence. In a world that rushes to distract, correct, or “move on”, this book models the steady, attentive listening that builds emotional safety and resilience.
For today’s families navigating busy schedules and screen-filled lives, The Rabbit Listened offers a timely message: when we shift from distraction to presence, we create the space children need to process feelings, regain confidence, and begin again—stronger and more secure than before.
The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld was published by Dial Books for Young Readers in 2018. Doerrfeld is an American author and illustrator known for her emotionally insightful children’s books that explore empathy and resilience. A copy can be found in the children’s section of Neilson Hays Library.
Prepared by Kit Lang @mskitlang. The Neilson Hays Library is Thailand’s premier English-language library. The Children's Program offers Saturday Story Time, a cozy Children's Corner, and special holiday events. Adult Programs include concerts, art exhibitions, book clubs, and book sales. Located in a UNESCO-awarded historic building with a garden and cafe on site: 195 Surawong Road, Bangkok 10500, Thailand. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook.