This is a guest blog by Caryn Price and Georgina Benger, authors of Willow’s Day.
For those of us already walking the path of restorative justice, the concepts of empathy, accountability, and repairing harm are familiar and deeply valued. But too often, these conversations begin too late – in the midst of conflict, or even after harm has been done. What if we shifted that timeline? What if we started earlier? Much earlier?
Willow’s Day, a new children’s book, dares to ask just that. Aimed at primary-aged children, this story is far more than just another tale for bedtime. It’s a gentle, age-appropriate introduction to the heart of restorative justice – values and practices that promote healing, connection, and understanding.
At the centre is Willow, a curious and kind-hearted little girl who, like all of us, sometimes makes mistakes. With the support of her wise and unconventional Granny – an engineer who builds bridges both literal and emotional – Willow learns that it’s not about never messing up. It’s about what we do afterwards. Granny’s lesson is simple and powerful: broken bridges can be rebuilt. And so can relationships.
This metaphor, easy for children to grasp yet profound enough to resonate with adults, lies at the heart of the story. Willow’s Day shows that restorative justice is not punishment or blame, but reflection, accountability, and repair. Apologies become acts of courage and care, listening becomes an act of strength, and making amends becomes something to be proud of, not ashamed of. The magic of the book is that it teaches without preaching. Willow is far from perfect – and that’s the point. She’s just like the children reading her story: full of questions, learning as she goes, trying her best.
Why Start Young?
What makes Willow’s Day especially important is its timing. Resources that bring restorative justice to younger children are still rare. Most are aimed at teenagers or adults already navigating entrenched conflict. By then, harmful patterns may be deeply set. This book challenges that reactive model. It argues – gently but firmly – that if we teach restorative values early, we give children the tools they need to build healthier relationships from the start. We’re not just teaching them to say “sorry” – we’re teaching them to mean it, to feel it, and to grow from it.
As one head teacher reader put it: “Willow’s Day belongs on every school shelf and in every home!” It’s hard to disagree. Whether read aloud in a classroom, shared at bedtime, or explored during circle time, the story creates space for conversations that matter. Children are invited to reflect on their actions, consider others’ feelings, and take pride in making things right.
From the Playground to the Wider World
Co-written by restorative justice practitioner Georgina Benger, who holds a Master’s in Restorative Justice from Cambridge and psychologist Caryn Price, Willow’s Day is more than just a children’s book. It’s a resource for families, educators, and communities wanting to foster a culture of care. Teachers can use it to guide classroom conversations. Parents can use it when siblings clash. Professionals in pastoral or safeguarding roles can use it to introduce responsibility and repair in ways children understand.
It also offers a quiet gift to the adults reading it: a chance to revisit their own understanding of justice, healing, and forgiveness. In this way, the book builds bridges not only between children, but across generations.
Building a Restorative Culture
At Why me?, you see daily how restorative dialogue transforms lives. Willow’s Day shares the same vision: that people – even very young ones – can learn to take responsibility for harm, to listen, and to repair. In doing so, they help build the foundations of a more compassionate, connected society.
If we truly want to build a kinder world, we need to start early. We need to start with stories like Willow’s. Because the sooner we teach our children to mend broken bridges – with empathy, accountability, and care – the fewer we’ll need to rebuild later in life.
Let’s start young. Let’s start with Willow’s Day.
