The Lazy Brain series

Meet the characters

Five friends — one girl, her mum, a cheeky little brain and two very soft toys — who show children that hard things get easier one small step at a time.

The hero
Emmeline
An imaginative eight-year-old Chinese girl learning to manage everyday habits, difficult feelings, eczema and growing independence.
What they're like
- Curious, creative and full of surprises
- Loving, expressive and affectionate
- Funny, dramatic and occasionally stubborn
- Easily distracted and prone to procrastination
- Sometimes jealous, worried or eager for attention
- Capable of kindness, courage and determination
- Loves painting, piano, the beach and her soft toys
- Learns best through play, humour and tiny achievable steps
In the stories
Emmeline experiences the problem, listens to her Lazy Brain and gradually discovers that she can make a better choice.
Find Emmeline in
I can do hard things — one small step at a time.
The patient guide
Mum
Emmeline's loving mother, who turns difficult routines into playful, manageable moments without shaming or frightening her.
What they're like
- Patient, loving and always present
- Calm, practical and reassuring
- Warm but gently firm
- Creative when solving everyday problems
- Sensitive to Emmeline's eczema and discomfort
- Uses humour, songs, games and affection
- Encourages independence instead of taking over
- Never dismisses Emmeline's feelings
In the stories
Mum helps Emmeline make the task smaller. She provides the structure while allowing Emmeline to succeed herself.
Find Mum in
One side first. That's all.
The mischievous inner voice
The Lazy Brain
A funny personification of Emmeline's avoidance, worry, distraction and emotional impulses. It is not a villain — it is a familiar part of her that can learn alongside her.
What they're like
- Comical, dramatic and opinionated
- Loves comfort and dislikes effort
- Invents excuses and delays
- Becomes distracted very easily
- Sometimes anxious or overprotective
- Can be jealous and attention-seeking
- Eventually cooperative and capable of learning
- Never cruel, frightening or genuinely malicious
In the stories
The Lazy Brain says what children may secretly think: "Later," "Too hard," "What if?" or "I don't want to." By the end, it learns that starting is often harder than doing.
Find The Lazy Brain in
Too much effort!Later is better!What if?Okay… that wasn't so bad.
The ice-cream cat
Chip
Emmeline's beloved pink-and-white soft toy and her constant little companion.
What they're like
- Cheerful, bright and encouraging
- Playful and optimistic
- Always ready for an adventure
- Feels like Emmeline's everyday best friend
- Represents encouragement and familiarity
- Often "speaks" with the confidence Emmeline needs
In the stories
Chip is the upbeat cheerleader who makes challenges feel fun and possible.
Find Chip in
You can do it!
The comforting friend
Scruffy
Emmeline's fluffy, well-loved soft toy who provides comfort when feelings become too big.
What they're like
- Gentle, cuddly and reassuring
- Quietly wise
- Calm when Emmeline is worried or upset
- Accepting and non-judgmental
- Represents emotional security
- Often "supervises" difficult routines
- More soothing than energetic
In the stories
Scruffy helps Emmeline feel safe enough to try. It is her comfort object during eczema flare-ups, worries and other difficult moments.
Find Scruffy in
Healthy skin, happy Emmeline.