An Australian character-led children's brand

Big AL walks with children back to calm — all over the world.

Emotional Fitness for the Next Generation

Through picture books, audio experiences, creative resources and comforting companions, BIG AL helps children understand big feelings, discover their breath and learn to return to calm.

♥ Created in Australia ♥ Home, classroom & bedtime
Big AL & The Calm Crew book cover beside Big AL
NEW BOOK OUT NOW!
Alex, the inspiration behind Big AL
In loving memory of Alex ♥
The inspiration behind Big AL.
The science behind the calm
56.8%

of children in one school-based study were identified as mouth breathers.

How children breathe matters. Yet something so fundamental to their everyday wellbeing is often overlooked.

Source: Felcar et al., Ciência & Saúde Coletiva (2010), schoolchildren aged 6–9. This is one study, not a global prevalence estimate.

Teaching children how to return to calm, one quiet breath at a time. ♥

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The nervous system responds
Gentle, slow breathing can support relaxation and help the body settle.
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The breath becomes familiar
Through stories and repetition, children learn to recognise and practise comfortable breathing.
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Calm becomes something to practise
Simple breathing habits give children a tool they can return to when big feelings arise.
Big AL & The Calm Crew book cover

Written by Trish Evelyn · Illustrated by Maya Kristi

✦ New Release · Out Now ✦

Big AL & The Calm Crew

Set in the beautiful Australian outback, this hand-illustrated watercolour story follows Big AL on his walk to school as he meets three bush friends who teach him a simple, lifelong skill — ABC Breathing.

One little story. A lifetime of calm.

Meet the three friends
Millie the Mouse
A
Millie the Mouse
Always Use Your Nose
Wazza the Wombat
B
Wazza the Wombat
Belly Breaths
Tommy the Turtle
C
Tommy the Turtle
Closed Mouth, Calm Breathing

This is not breathwork — it is functional breathing. The way children are designed to breathe.

The Thinking Behind Big AL

The BIG AL CALM Philosophy

Every BIG AL story and experience is created with intention. Our CALM Philosophy brings together four principles to nurture emotional fitness from the earliest years.

C
Connection & Character
A familiar, trusted friend children grow alongside.
A
Anchoring & Association
Building comforting connections through familiarity and positive experiences.
L
Learning Through Metaphor
Helping children explore big feelings through imagination and story.
M
Mindful Repetition
Reinforcing emotional learning through stories, breath, audio and creativity.
Discover Our CALM Philosophy →
Trish with her son Alex
Trish & Alex ♥
♥ Alex's Mum ♥ Author & Creator ♥ Clinical Hypnotherapist & Breath Educator
Meet the Author & Creator

Hi, I'm Trish — Alex's Mum.

On 15 April 2021, I lost my beautiful 21-year-old son Alex (Big AL) to suicide. I honestly thought my heart would stop beating with his. What has transpired since has been quite extraordinary.

From this unimaginable loss, I founded The Big AL Foundation, a South Australian charity dedicated to creating the next generation of calm kids through early prevention and breath education.

As an author, clinical hypnotherapist and breath educator, I've spent years exploring how the stories we tell, the words we repeat and the way we breathe can shape our emotional experiences.

BIG AL — Emotional Fitness for the Next Generation grew from this understanding and my desire to create something children could grow alongside.

More than a collection of books and resources, BIG AL is a little boy who becomes a familiar, trusted friend — helping children discover their feelings, understand their breath and find their way back to calm.

Every story, character and experience has been created with intention, and always with love.

My hope is that Big AL will journey alongside children and families around the world, reminding them that calm is already within them.

Because our children deserve nothing less.

Lots of love,
Trish xx
International Partnerships

Bringing BIG AL to Children Around the World

An Australian character-led children's publishing & multimedia franchise.

We're looking for international partners who share our vision of bringing BIG AL's stories, characters and emotional fitness experiences to children and families worldwide.

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Publishing & Translation
Children's books and international editions.
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Audio & Digital
Audiobooks, guided audio and digital publishing.
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Character Licensing
Breath Buddies, merchandise and gift collections.
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Education & Multimedia
Creative learning resources and future opportunities.
Explore International Partnerships →