Big Feelings, Healthy Habits & Hard Questions: A New Storybook Helps Families Talk About It All

“Why do I have to eat vegetables?”

“What happens when someone gets sick?”

“Why do I feel angry when nothing bad happened?”

Children ask wonderfully honest questions... often when we least expect them. And while parents want to give them helpful answers, explaining health, illness and big emotions in a way that feels reassuring and age-appropriate isn’t always easy.

A new children’s storybook from The Nurts and Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC) hopes to help families start these important conversations, one story at a time.

Our volunteer, mama of 3 kids, Intan, attended the launch of The Nurts Tales: Growing Strong, Inside and Out, and here's what she had to say:

"It's more than a book, it's a conversation starter for families. I love that it helps my kids understand their bodies, feelings, and healthy, while giving parents a simple way to navigate these topics together!"

Intan and two of her kids, whom she fondly nicknames AA2 and AA3! (Yes, her firstborn was the original AA1)

Helping children grow strong, inside and out

Created for children aged four to eight, The Nurts Tales: Growing Strong, Inside and Out combines playful storytelling with guidance from healthcare professionals.

Across five relatable stories, familiar Nurts characters Zoey, Mia, Liam and Noah are joined by SJMC’s Teddy Paws as they explore:

• Big feelings and emotional wellbeing

• Healthy everyday habits

• Food and nutrition

• Talking openly with trusted adults

• Understanding illness

Instead of presenting these topics as instructions children simply need to follow, the book helps them explore the reasons behind healthy choices through characters and situations they can relate to.

“Starting conversations about difficult topics is something every parent faces, especially when it comes to health and wellbeing,” said Adrian Tan, Co-founder of The Nurts and author of the book.

“Through storytelling, we hope to make those conversations feel more natural and approachable, helping families create safe spaces for understanding, connection and learning.”

Why stories can reach children differently

If you’ve ever watched your child become completely absorbed in a story, you’ll know how powerful that world can be.

Stories allow children to experience unfamiliar situations at a safe distance. They can watch a character feel worried, make a choice or ask for help, and begin to understand their own experiences along the way.

They may also open the door to conversations that would otherwise feel awkward or intimidating.

A parent doesn’t have to begin with, “We need to talk about your feelings.”

They can simply ask, “Why do you think Mia felt that way?”

That small question may lead somewhere meaningful.

“Children learn best when they are curious and having fun, which is why storytelling is such a powerful way to introduce important health concepts,” explained Dr Sanjay Woodhull, Consultant Paediatrician at SJMC.

SJMC’s paediatricians worked closely with The Nurts to ensure the stories reflect real topics families commonly need help navigating. These were then translated into child-friendly situations that encourage curiosity rather than fear.

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Not just a book to read, but a conversation to continue

Parents aren’t expected to have all the right words immediately.

That’s why the book also includes reflection prompts, discussion questions and practical guidance to help families continue the conversation after each story ends.

You might ask your child what they would do in the same situation, whether they have ever felt something similar or who they could speak to if they were worried.

There doesn’t need to be a perfectly planned “health talk.” Sometimes the most valuable conversations begin while reading together on the sofa, during the school run or just before bedtime.

Joanne Lee, Director of Business Development, Strategy & Transformation at SJMC, has a particularly personal connection to the collaboration, having been born at SJMC herself.

“This storybook collaboration with The Nurts reflects SJMC’s commitment in a new way - bringing health education to life through stories that are engaging, relatable and memorable for children,” she said.

“We hope this book sparks curiosity, encourages healthy choices and empowers young readers with the knowledge to build lifelong healthy habits.”

Looking after the whole child

The book was launched with a fireside chat exploring children’s physical and mental wellbeing, emotional regulation, healthy habits and the ways parents can approach meaningful conversations at home.

The discussion brought together Adrian Tan; Dr Sanjay Woodhull, Consultant Paediatrician; Dr Wan Asyikin binti Wan Azlan, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist; and Joanne Lee.

Together, they reinforced an important idea: raising a healthy child isn’t only about what they eat or how active they are. It is also about helping them recognise their emotions, communicate openly and know that they can turn to a trusted adult when something doesn’t feel right.

When children understand the “why” behind healthy habits, they can begin to take greater ownership of their wellbeing, instead of simply doing what they have been told.

Taking the stories beyond the bookshelf

As part of the initiative, SJMC will donate copies of The Nurts Tales: Growing Strong, Inside and Out to selected children’s non-governmental organisations.

The Nurts Tales: Growing Strong, Inside and Out is available at major bookstores and through The Nurts’ online store.

IBU Member Deal: Get 10% OFF purchases from The Nurts with min spend. Details here!