Spike's Big Roar
The part most parenting books miss.
Before children can learn to self-regulate, they need to borrow calm from a safe, responsive adult.
Spike's Big Roar is coming to Amazon soon. Join the waitlist to be notified as soon as it's available for purchase.
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Before children can learn to self-regulate, they need to borrow calm from a safe, responsive adult.
Feeling stuck with your child's big feelings?
A warm, rhyming picture book written for parents and caregivers to read, and gentle enough to share with your child. A psychology-informed, educational resource, it brings the science of co-regulation to life through a heartwarming dinosaur story, in a way that is simple, clear, and free from the weight of a textbook. Something to reach for when big feelings arrive.
Spike is a small T-rex whose big roars shake the prehistoric town of Fossil Falls, and with every roar, the nearby volcano trembles. You'll recognise his family. The reasoning that didn't land. The distraction that only helped briefly. The bedtime that fell apart. And through their story, this book offers a gentler, clearer way through.
Along the way, Spike's family joins other parents on a journey led by a Wise Pterodactyl, who introduces C.A.R.E., a gentle, practical framework for meeting big feelings with warmth and steadiness. Simple enough to carry with you. Waiting for you inside.
For parents, caregivers, educators, child health professionals, and anyone who loves a child with big feelings.
"It explains co-regulation in such a gentle and practical way."
"As a Primary School Teacher and mother of three, I absolutely loved Spike's Big Roar. It explains co-regulation in such a gentle and practical way by empowering parents to find the tools and strategies in navigating the challenging moments we experience when our children are finding it difficult to cope with their big emotions. Spike's story is engaging for children and at the same time, is incredibly useful for parents. What resonated the most with me were the strategies explained creatively within the book, which I have since implemented with my own children. Spike's Big Roar is a warm, thoughtful and valuable book for any adult caring for young children."
"A lovely way to be introduced to the C.A.R.E. Framework."
"Spike's Big Roar is a lovely way to be introduced to the C.A.R.E. Framework. The story's empathetic reflection on the sometimes challenging emotional climate within families is beautifully illustrated through Spike's dinosaur family. It shows how calm, caring adults can support children through big emotions as they gradually develop their own ability to self-regulate. This is a beautiful book that helps families feel seen and understood while giving parents and caregivers the confidence to respond with connection and care. I would highly recommend it to any family."
"A beautiful book that speaks to both children and parents in such a meaningful way."
"This is a beautiful book that speaks to both children and parents in such a meaningful way. As a mum of four, I've experienced many moments of big emotions, and this book has helped me better understand my children's feelings and given me the confidence with how to support them through those challenging moments. Would definitely recommend for every family, just wish I had it sooner!"
Two Australian women, a psychologist and an artist, and one small dinosaur.
In her work with children, adolescents and their families, one need came up again and again: parents wanted to understand what was happening for their child in the hard moments, and how they might respond when big feelings arrive. Spike's Big Roar was written to meet it.
Many wonderful books help children learn to self-regulate, but before a child can do that, they first borrow calm from a safe, responsive adult. That is co-regulation, the foundation self-regulation is built on, brought to life here through a gentle, rhyming dinosaur story. A simple, warm way to meet big feelings with connection.
Louise Jacquet is an Australian designer, visual artist, and poet based in London, trained in fashion illustration, painting, colour psychology, and graphics across Sydney and London. She makes fine art for adults, illustrations for children, and poetry for both.
"At the time of illustrating Spike's Big Roar, I was aware of the sudden growth of AI in the arts... my instinct was to revisit the prehistoric period and strip the process back entirely, relying only on my own drawing skills, recycled unbleached paper, and natural wood pencils in earth tones. Nothing digital involved."
Join the waitlist to be notified as soon as Spike's Big Roar is available for purchase.
No spam, and no newsletters. Just a couple of gentle emails around the launch.
You're on the list. We'll be in touch soon. 🦕
Spike's Big Roar will be available on Amazon as a softcover (paperback) edition soon.
