Silver Lining Stuffies today launched its inaugural line of storybooks and companion stuffed animals crafted to provide children with the tools to cope with mental health conditions. The first three books, Slow Down, Alfie!, Andie & the Worries, and Frankie & Gloob, address attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, and depression. Each stuffed animal stars in its own story as a lovable, relatable character who learns to cope with a unique set of difficulties, helping to normalize the experience of mental health challenges.
Silver Lining Stuffies was born out of the darkness of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when CEO and founder Sara Moore recognized the massive toll it was taking on the mental health of many, particularly children. As someone who has lived with depression and anxiety from a young age, Moore empathized and was propelled into action. As a child, she was fortunate enough to have a supportive family that provided the resources and tools to cope with depression and anxiety, which she continues to use.
Unfortunately, her story is not the norm. 1 in 6 U.S. children aged 2–8 are diagnosed with a mental or behavioral disorder every year, and only 20% of them ever receive treatment. Silver Lining Stuffies aims to improve that by offering parents, educators, and children strategies to deal with these conditions, and by donating part of their proceeds to relevant organizations.
With a love for children and decades of professional experience in design, Moore brought her idea to life through three adorable characters that address the top 3 mental health conditions affecting children in the U.S. today: Andie the elephant (anxiety), Alfie the wolf (ADHD) and Frankie the hippo (depression). The books, which Moore created in consultation with child psychologists and teachers, are targeted to children aged 4 to 10. Future characters will tackle other issues that affect children’s mental wellness, such as autism, bipolar disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
“At its heart, Silver Lining Stuffies is an approachable, personal toolkit so that children can discover their own methods for achieving mental wellness,” said Moore. “We deliver an avenue for families and educators to openly discuss mental health and help destigmatize conditions through play. Our vision is that every child will have the tools, skills, and community they need to develop a healthy mindset.”
About Silver Lining Stuffies
Silver Lining Stuffies is a line of storybooks and companion stuffed animals aimed at giving children the tools to cope with mental health conditions, such as ADHD, anxiety, and depression, while normalizing their experience through a community of relatable characters. It is an approachable, personal toolkit that fosters imagination and play so that children can see themselves in stories, know they are never alone, and discover their own methods for achieving mental wellness.
