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Say It In A Story
A mother and small child cuddled on a big green cushion by a sunny window, reading a little picture book, a knitted blue rabbit beside them.

Guided Steps

One gentle step at a time.

Free picture books that show your child what's coming — starring them.

Ask for a free bookPeek inside

no proof · no means test · no account

  • Calm pages
  • Your child, as they are
  • One idea per page
  • Always ends somewhere safe

peek inside

Ciara Starts in the Sunflower Room

  1. A girl with ear defenders round her neck holds her mam's hand, looking at a school with a red door.

    Page 1: This is my new school. It has a red door.

  2. A smiling teacher with a green lanyard kneels to greet the girl in a classroom with sunflower pictures.

    Page 2: My teacher is Ms Byrne. She wears a green lanyard.

  3. The girl sits calmly at her desk wearing green ear defenders, a bell on the wall.

    Page 3: Sometimes the bell is loud. I can wear my ear defenders.

  4. The girl runs happily into her mam's arms at the red school door in golden afternoon light.

    Page 4: After school, Mam is at the red door. Then we go home.

Sample stories

How it works

  1. A woman with a cup of tea choosing between illustrated picture cards on her kitchen table.
    Step 1: Tell Amy a littleNo proof. No forms.
  2. Hands placing old photographs, a voice recorder and a note into a wooden box; one photo has a small padlock tag.
    Step 2: A gentle chatEmail, text or video.
  3. An illustrator painting a picture-book page at a sunlit desk, reference photos pinned above, a terrier asleep below.
    Step 3: Amy draws itYour child is the hero.
  4. A grandmother and a child reading an illustrated book on a tablet; a heart-shaped note sits on one page.
    Step 4: You see it firstEvery page.
  5. A parcel tied with twine and a wax seal on a cottage doorstep, a storybook resting in tissue paper beside it.
    Step 5: Posted freeNothing to pay. Ever.
A cork board with four picture cards in order — shoes, school bag, a red door, a smiling teacher — above ear defenders and a soft toy rabbit.
step cards for the fridge

for teachers & therapists too

Ask on a family's behalf. We'll match your Lámh signs, symbols and words.

Amy gifts a few books each month and reads every request herself.

Ask for a free Guided Steps book

Only the first section is needed. Write as much or as little as you like — Amy will ask if she needs more. What you share here is private to Amy.

About you

Only if you'd prefer a text message.

About the child and the book

Or a nickname.

Example: Oisín is having an MRI at Temple Street on 14 November. He's never been in a hospital and hates loud noises.

So the book feels right (all optional)

Example: Speaks in short phrases; uses Lámh for 'finished' and 'more'; likes symbols.

Example: Bright yellow is overwhelming. Wears ear defenders. Doesn't like pictures of crowds.

Example: A blue rabbit called Bun. Trains. Nana.

Formats that would help

You don't need to explain why you're asking for a free book — only if you'd like to.