The Wolf Was Not Sleeping is a warm, reassuring bedtime story written by Avril McDonald to help ease anxiety in children whose parents work in first responder roles.
This special UK police edition has been created in collaboration with Avril McDonald to support you and your family. It is designed to open gentle conversations about feelings, safety, and wellbeing. We support members of the police family who have been affected by harm, including children.
This book forms part of that support, helping you talk to your child about your work in a way that feels calm, age-appropriate, and reassuring.
How Does This Book Make a Difference?
In December 2021, we spoke with serving police personnel across the UK who had children aged 3–7. In exchange for a copy of The Wolf Was Not Sleeping, they took part in two short surveys, sharing their experiences of the worries and concerns their children have about a parent or guardian working in policing.
A follow-up survey in January 2022 explored how the book was received and what difference it made for families.
The findings were clear. 83% of parents said their children expressed worry or concern about them (or their partner) going to work in policing. Of those worries, 94% centred around a small number of themes:
- Dealing with bad people
- Being hurt or injured
- Being involved in dangerous situations
This story helps you gently explore those worries together. It creates space for your child to ask questions, express how they feel, and feel reassured, helping them settle more easily at bedtime and feel more secure when you’re at work.
