Little Library: Children’s Books About Mental Health

Reading with children can be a powerful tool for nurturing emotional development and mental well-being. Stories provide a safe and engaging way for kids to explore complex feelings, develop empathy, and build resilience. When thoughtfully chosen, books can validate a child’s experiences—whether they’re navigating anxiety, sadness, grief, identity, or big life changes like welcoming a new sibling or joining a family through adoption. Addressing topics such as emotional awareness, self-esteem, trauma, mindfulness, identity, race, adoption, and family transitions through story can assist children in the process of naming their emotions, feeling seen, and learn healthy ways to cope.

Below is a thoughtfully curated list of children’s books to consider adding to your little library to help support mental health and foster emotional growth. These titles are written with young readers in mind (ages 3–10), using storytelling to foster meaningful conversations and build lifelong emotional tools.

Children’s Books About Mental Health

1. Anxiety, Worry & Overthinking

• “Ruby Finds a Worry” by Tom Percival
  A gentle, relatable story showing how worries grow when we keep them inside—and how talking helps.

• “Don’t Feed the WorryBug” by Andi Green
  A metaphorical look at how anxiety can grow and how to take back control.

• “Wilma Jean the Worry Machine” by Julia Cook
  Offers practical strategies for children who worry excessively, especially in school settings.

2. Sadness, Depression & Grief/Loss

• “The Color Thief: A Family’s Story of Depression” by Andrew Fusek Peters
  Explains parental depression through metaphor, validating a child’s perspective.

• “The Invisible String” by Patrice Karst
  A comforting story about staying connected to loved ones during separation, loss, or sadness.

• “When Sadness Is at Your Door” by Eva Eland
  Helps children understand and make space for sadness without fear.

• “The Fall of Freddie the Leaf” by Leo Buscaglia
  A gentle metaphorical story about the life cycle and loss.

• “I Miss You: A First Look at Death” by Pat Thomas
  Honest, age-appropriate answers to children’s questions about death and grief.

• “What on Earth Do You Do When Someone Dies?” by Trevor Romain
  Addresses grief with warmth and humor, including tips for coping.

• “No Matter What” by Debi Gliori
  Comforts children about unconditional love, often used in grief contexts.

3. Emotional Awareness & Expression

• “The Color Monster” by Anna Llenas
  Helps children name and sort their emotions through vibrant, visual storytelling.

• “In My Heart: A Book of Feelings” by Jo Witek
  A poetic exploration of big and small feelings, helping children articulate their emotional world.

• “The Way I Feel” by Janan Cain
  Uses simple language and illustrations to describe a variety of emotions.

• “Sam’s Invisible Shield” by Vicki Gardiner A story of the impact of kind words and the power of friendship

4. Anger & Self-Regulation

• “When Sophie Gets Angry—Really, Really Angry…” by Molly Bang
  Shows a child’s experience of anger and a healthy way to cope.

• “Anh’s Anger” by Gail Silver
  A mindfulness-based story about sitting with and talking to anger instead of acting out.

• “Hands Are Not for Hitting” by Martine Agassi
  Encourages positive behavioral choices and empathy.

• “When I’m Feeling Angry” by Trace Moroney
  Part of the “Feelings” series, this book gently explains what anger feels like and offers ways to cope.

• “Calm Down Time” by Elizabeth Verdick
  A practical, straightforward story that teaches young children simple calming techniques.

• “The Angry Little Girl” by Jason Willinsky
  Focuses on a child’s experience with anger and models healthy ways to express it.

• “Llama Llama Mad at Mama” by Anna Dewdney
  Through rhyme and relatable situations, this book shows normal frustrations and how to work through them.

• “How Do Dinosaurs Say I’m Mad?” by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague
  Uses fun dinosaur characters to explore appropriate ways to express anger and frustration.

• “My Mouth Is a Volcano” by Julia Cook
  Teaches children about managing interrupting and expressing emotions like anger respectfully.

• “The Grumpy Monkey” by Suzanne Lang
  A vivid, child-friendly story that personifies frustration

5. Mindfulness & Calming Techniques

• “My Magic Breath” by Nick Ortner and Alison Taylor
  Introduces mindful breathing to help children release strong feelings.

• “Breathe Like a Bear” by Kira Willey
  A collection of simple breathing and mindfulness exercises written for kids.

• “I Am Peace” by Susan Verde
  A soothing book that gently introduces mindfulness and inner calm.

6. Trauma & Emotional Safety

• “You Weren’t With Me” by Chandra Ghosh Ippen
  A beautifully illustrated story about separation, rupture, and repair.

• “Once I Was Very Very Scared” by Chandra Ghosh Ippen
  Addresses trauma in young children in a developmentally appropriate and comforting way.

• “A Terrible Thing Happened” by Margaret M. Holmes
  A story about a child who witnesses something upsetting and how he begins to heal with support.

7. Adding a Sibling & Complicated Feelings

• “Julius, the Baby of the World” by Kevin Henkes
  A classic story showing a child who is not thrilled about the new baby and how those feelings are okay.

• “The New Small Person” by Lauren Child
  A playful, honest look at sibling jealousy and adjusting to a new baby.

• “Hello in There! A Big Sister’s Book of Waiting” by Jo Witek
  Validates mixed feelings and anticipation when a sibling is on the way.

• “I Used to Be the Baby” by Robin Ballard
  Explores the identity shifts and emotions around no longer being the youngest child.

8. Adoption & Identity

• “A Mother for Choco” by Keiko Kasza
  A sweet story about love and belonging that shows families are built through care, not just biology.

• “Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born” by Jamie Lee Curtis
  A reassuring book about adoption that helps children understand and celebrate their story.

• “I Wished for You: An Adoption Story” by Marianne Richmond
  A heartfelt book that honors a child’s unique story and emotions around adoption.

• “We Belong Together” by Todd Parr
  Bright, inclusive language about family, belonging, and adoption with simple emotional messages.

9. Disabilities & Differences

• “Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You” by Sonia Sotomayor
  Introduces children to kids with a variety of disabilities and emphasizes kindness and acceptance.

• “My Brother Charlie” by Holly Robinson Peete & Ryan Elizabeth Peete
  A heartfelt look at life with a sibling who has autism, celebrating differences and love.

• “El Deafo” by Cece Bell
  A graphic novel memoir about growing up deaf and finding confidence.

• “Amazing” by Steve Antony
  A positive story about a boy with Down syndrome learning to believe in himself.

10. Body Image & Self-Esteem

• “I Like Myself!” by Karen Beaumont
  An empowering celebration of self-acceptance and confidence.

• “The Skin You Live In” by Michael Tyler
  Promotes pride and positivity about diverse skin colors and appearances.

• “Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon” by Patty Lovell
  A story about embracing uniqueness and confidence despite challenges.

• “Beautiful Oops!” by Barney Saltzberg
  Encourages creativity and seeing mistakes as opportunities, supporting resilience.

• “Your Body Belongs to You” by Cornelia Spelman
  Helps children understand boundaries and body autonomy.

11. Faith-Based Children’s Books on Emotions, Self-Esteem & Identity

• “You Are Special” by Max Lucado
  A timeless story about unconditional worth and God’s love, regardless of others' opinions.

• “I Am: 40 Reasons to Trust God” by Diane Stortz
  Scripture-based affirmations to help children understand their identity in Christ.

• “It Will Be Okay” by Lysa TerKeurst
  A comforting story about trusting God through fear and change.

• “Known” by Sally Lloyd-Jones
  Based on Psalm 139, this book reminds kids they are fully known and fully loved.