The Lonely Little Cactus: A Story About Friendship, Coping and Belonging [1 ed.] 9781032073682, 9781003206576

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THE LONELY LITTLE CACTUS The Lonely Little Cactus is a children’s picture story book about a cactus that feels lonely living in the desert. Through a series of colourful interactions with desert dwellers, the little cactus learns strategies to cope with their feelings of loneliness. Both entertaining and educational, the story book is aimed at children aged 4–8 years old and spreads the message that loneliness is a common emotion that is manageable and can be overcome. It teaches children an array of coping strategies and encourages them to try various approaches to managing a difficult situation to find the strategies that best work for them. Offering a unique opportunity for children to learn about psychological strategies while being engaged in a beautiful narrative and visually captivating illustrations, this is the ideal resource for educators, support staff, practitioners and parents looking to help children understand and manage their feelings. Kelly-Ann Allen is an associate professor, educational and developmental psychologist, and belonging researcher at Monash University. You can find Kelly-Ann on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @drkellyallen. Resources for wellbeing and belonging can be found at www.drkellyallen.com. Madeleine Griffith is a multi-disciplinary artist and teacher with a background in sculpture, animation, miniature making, and illustration. She is passionate about applying creative approaches to build connections and space for people to explore their creativity. She teaches at R.M.I.T., is a co-creative director at the Satellite Foundation, and runs her prop and model-making company. You can find more of her work at madeleinegriffith.com.

To Henry, Florence, Georgie, Arlo, Zephyr, and Calico.

Designed cover image: ©Madeleine Griffith First published 2024 by Routledge 4 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN and by Routledge 605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158 Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business © 2024 Kelly-Ann Allen and Madeleine Griffith The right of Kelly-Ann Allen and Madeleine Griffith to be identified as authors of this work has been asserted in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe. British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library ISBN: 978-1-032-07368-2 (pbk) ISBN: 978-1-003-20657-6 (ebk) DOI: 10.4324/9781003206576 Typeset in Din by Apex CoVantage, LLC

The Lonely Little Cactus A Story About Friendship, Coping and Belonging Kelly-Ann Allen Illustrated by Madeleine Griffith

Deep inside a dusty desert that never seems to end, lives a lonely little cactus longing for a friend.

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His favourite time is sunset, when the desert comes alive with animals and insects, who buzz and swoop and dive.

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Between the jagged mountain bluffs in valleys sparse and dry, most visitors go tumbling, while others slither by.

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Yet with creatures all around and no friend to call his own, underneath the yawning sky Little Cactus feels alone.

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As the golden sun sinks low behind the cliffs so steep, a passing bat stops to hear our lonely Cactus weep.

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From an ancient, twisted tree, the bat gives explanation: “While crying can be soothing, it won’t change your situation.” “When I am sad,” the bat goes on, “I like to change my thinking. I ponder on the happy things that keep my mood from sinking.”

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Little Cactus counts his blessings, and speaks them to the night: “I’m grateful for the sun and moon, and flowers bold and bright.”

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Midst spiky shrubs and rocky spurs, the morning sun reveals an angry little cactus, still upset at how he feels.

A passing doe hears Cactus gripe. “You’re angry, yes, it’s clear, but anger will not fix these things,” observed the kindly deer. 12 10

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“When I feel angry, I do things that make me want to smile. 14 12

I wander deep in forest fir and woodlands for a while.” 13

So, Little Cactus sings a desert song to dunes where sands collide. And singing brings him pleasure, while angry thoughts subside.

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But no sooner does his anger pass than worry takes its place. “I may never find a friend,” he sighs, with concern across his face.

Beneath the prickly desert brush, a porcupine pokes through. “Don’t worry, Little Cactus, when I’m lonely talking helps me through.” 1318 16

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So, Porcupine and Cactus talk to pass the day, until the stars in the sky emerge from far away.

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They talk about their worries, share prickly tales and spiky laughs. Banishing their loneliness, forever to the past.

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And now the Little Cactus knows persistence gets you through. When at first it doesn’t work, just try something new!

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When his tired eyes grow heavy, Little Cactus sleeps so sound, as even on the desert plains friendships can be found. 21