The world has changed dramatically over the past decade or so, and raising resilient young people is increasingly challenging. Here are some recent releases that give insight into the world of today's kids, to help you guide the next generation into adulthood.

The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

In The Anxious Generation, social psychologist Jonathan Haidt makes a compelling argument that the loss of play-based childhood is the source of increased mental distress among teenagers. Delving into the latest psychological and biological research, Haidt shows how a screen-based childhood can disrupt development through sleep deprivation, social deprivation, cognitive fragmentation and addiction.

The Post-Pandemic Child by Kim Cornish

After the COVID-19 shutdown of 2020, Australia witnessed a rise in youth anxiety, triggering a mental health crisis in children as young as those of kindergarten age. In The Post-Pandemic Child, Kim Cornish takes us through the key challenges faced by Australian children, examining the short- and long-term consequences for this ‘pandemic generation’ and asking what the future holds for the millions of young Australians whose formative years were so disrupted.

Being Seen by Selena Bartlett

With staggering numbers of children on social media, child safety is at risk more than ever before. In Being Seen, neuroscientist Selena Bartlett cuts through the noise of the digital era to offer parents and guardians a science-backed, practical guide to nurture a child's brain health, manage stress and foster resilience. This concise and accessible book contains real-world advice for being the supportive and engaged person your child needs.

How To Raise an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi

How do we teach children to be antiracist? How are kids at different ages experiencing race? How are racist structures impacting children? How can we inspire our children to avoid our mistakes, to be better, to make the world better? Inspired by the birth of his first child, Ibram X. Kendi presents scientific literature, his experiences as a father, and his own history to show readers how to participate in the effort to raise young people as antiracists.

Parenting on Earth by Elizabeth Cripps

Environmental catastrophes, pandemics, antibiotic resistance, institutionalised injustice, and war: in a world so out of balance, what does it take to be a good parent? Drawing on the insights of philosophy and the experience of parent activists, Elizabeth Cripps shows how our children’s needs are inseparable from the fate of the earth and the fortunes of others. Timely and thoughtful, Parenting on Earth extends a challenge to anyone raising children in a troubled world – and with it, a vision of hope for our children’s future.

How to Raise a Healthy Gamer by Dr Alok Kanojia

Video games and managing screen time are a modern parenting problem with no blueprint and a rapidly changing landscape. From communication strategies and advice on dealing with behavioural issues, to the neurological reasons behind why tech is so addictive, How to Raise a Healthy Gamer is an accessible and engaging guide to building healthy gaming habits that will equip your child for a fulfilling future.

 Read review

Pixel Flesh by Ellen Atlanta

With advancements in cosmetic surgery, augmented reality face filters, photo editing apps, and exposure to more images than ever, we have the ability to craft a version of ourselves that we want everyone to see. But is our beauty culture truly empowering? In Pixel Flesh, Ellen Atlanta provides an eye-opening account of the realities young women face in a digitally obsessed world where the pressure to present yourself both virtually and in person is all-consuming.

Read our staff review here.