Radical Love. Kindness in action.
Radical Love. Kindness in action.
The bravest thing a child can do is feel something fully, then act on it.
Social Emotional Learning Books for Kids Aged 7 to 13
A chapter book series about a boy who feels deeply and finds the courage to act on it. With his grandmother's guidance and his mum in his corner, Ray learns to turn big feelings into braver, kinder choices, the kind that change the people around him.
Not sure where to start? See all four books
"Radical Ray is a truly inspiring and joyful read that demonstrates how small acts can transform communities."
Asher Syed, Readers' Favorite, 5-Star Review
5‑Star Reviews Across All 4 Books
Readers’ Favorite
Recommended by professionals
Licensed therapists and educators
Written by an SEL author
20 years in human behaviour
Who These Social Emotional Learning Books Are For
Some kids feel the whole room. Every unfairness, every kindness, every change at home. That depth isn't a problem to fix; it's the start of something. Ray is that kind of kid, and these social emotional learning books show children how to turn what they feel into what they do.
The one who feels too much
Told they're "too much," so they started shrinking to fit. Ray shows them that feeling deeply isn't the thing to hide; it's the thing that lets them see what others miss, and act on it.
The one with a complicated family
A parent who left, came back, or was never quite there. Ray's story doesn't pretend it's simple. It gives a child language for the hard stuff, and proof that they can carry it and still move forward.
The one carrying a loss
Grief they don't have the words for yet. Ray walks through it honestly, so a child sees their own feelings reflected back, and learns they're not alone in them, and not stuck.
These aren't stories about kids who break. They're about kids who feel it all and find their footing anyway.
Meet Ray
Ray Roxby is eight, lives in Botany, Sydney, and he is not always easy. He blurts things out, cares too much, and sometimes makes things worse before he makes them better.
He's also the kid who notices when someone's sitting alone, steps up when something isn't fair, and keeps trying to do the right thing even when he gets it wrong. He feels everything, and slowly, he's learning that feeling everything is exactly what makes him brave.
The two people who teach him how
Ray doesn't figure it out alone. He learns to read what he feels from the two people who know him best.
Grandma Leila
The wise, warm presence on the front porch. She doesn't tell Ray to be brave; she teaches him to listen to what he already feels, and trust it. The secret that starts the whole series, Radical Love, comes from her.
Shirl, Ray's mum
A journalist always on deadline and always in his corner. She loves him on the easy days and the hard ones, and she's the proof underneath every chapter that a kid who feels deeply does best with someone who believes in him.
And Atlas, Ray's blue heeler, is along for all of it: loyal, never judging, always there.
The Radical Ray Series
Four chapter books, each one a different feeling a child is learning to carry. Start with Book 1, or go straight to the one your child needs right now.
Book 1
Radical Ray: Australia's Little Champion for Big Change
Where it all begins. Ray learns a secret from his grandmother about the power of kindness, and starts putting it into action one small, brave choice at a time, never guessing how far it could spread. The warm, funny start to the series, and proof that caring out loud takes real courage.
"My grandson, who is 10 and is an avid reader, says Radical Ray is the best book he's ever read!"
Sue P. Ohio
Book 2
Radical Ray: A Father's Return
For the child whose family doesn't fit the simple story. When the father Ray barely knew comes back into his life, he has to decide for himself what family really means, and what it feels like to learn that the people who show up every day are the ones who count.
"A meaningful read for children and an inspiring story that reminds us of the importance of love, understanding, and the courage to embrace our own stories."
Carol Thompson, Readers' Favorite -
5 Star Review
Book 3
Radical Ray: The Too Much Moment
For the child who's been told they're "too much." When a careless comment sticks, Ray starts believing the unkind story in his own head, and learns that a thought isn't a fact, and the things that make him different were never problems to fix.
"Bobbi Chegwyn does a masterful job of incorporating these themes into the story in a subtle and nuanced way for young readers."
Pikasho Deka, Readers' Favorite -
5 Star Review
Book 4
Radical Ray: No Greater Love
For the child carrying a loss too big for words. When the person Ray loves most is suddenly gone, his world tips over, and he has to find a way to carry a grief that big while still moving forward. A tender, honest story that doesn't rush the sadness, and reminds a child that love doesn't leave when the person does.
An excellent grief resource for children and adults that gently addresses a topic too often avoided. An honest look at the complexities of grief, and a must-read for educators, counselors, and parents."
Dorinda Neisel, M.S., CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist
Not sure which one? Book 1 is the best place to meet Ray and the whole series.
Trusted by the people who work with children
Five-star Readers' Favorite reviews across the series, recommended by therapists, counselors, and educators.
"Brilliantly done, and a book that would absolutely support any child experiencing a similar life event. A 10 out of 10 for addressing a tragic situation in a way that will resonate with a child going through it."
Kathryne Imabayashi, M.Ed., B.S.Ed., Early Years Specialist
"An excellent resource for professionals, wonderfully written, with talking points that are amazing. I highly recommend it, not only for professionals, but for any parent looking for ways to explore kindness and healthy coping with their child."
Melissa Kappes, M.A., M.Ed., LPCC-S, The Counseling Professionals
"I got goosebumps reading it. Rather than focusing on combating bullying, it inspires kids to be kind and thoughtful. I hope Radical Ray is adopted by families and schools worldwide."
Karen T., grandmother, Perth, Australia
Help a child feel deeply, and act bravely
Big feelings don't have to be something a child carries alone or learns to hide. With the right story at the right moment, a child discovers that what they feel is information they can trust, and that acting on it, with kindness and courage, is how they grow. That's what Ray is here to show them.
I spent nearly twenty years studying how people think, feel, and change before I wrote a word of Ray. I made this series for the children who feel everything, so they'd grow up knowing that's their strength, not their problem.
Bobbi Chegwyn, author of Radical Ray