BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
Here are some books that are helpful when exploring emotions, feelings, and other mental health topics.
There are so many other great books not on this list. You can always ask your local librarian for book suggestions.
In My Heart: A Book of Feelings
by Jo Witek
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Feelings and emotions can be big or small. Quiet or loud. This is a lovely book about emotions and feelings and how to deal with them.
by Molly Bang
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What happens when you get angry--really, really angry. Anger is an emotion that everyone feels. How do you deal with it? Find out in this Caldecott Honor book.
by Jory John
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The good egg is a really good egg. So good that he tries to be perfect. All. The. Time. Until...he begins to crack. Find out what he does to deal with the stress.
by Michael Rosen
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Sad can be different. Sometimes we smile even though we're sad. This book talks about sadness depression, as well as grief and loss and how to cope.
by Lloyd Jones
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This is a story about princess who had everything and was happy until "the fog" comes. This is a great story to help children learn about depression.
by Virginia Ironside
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Sometimes our emotions and worries follow us everywhere we go. It's a heavy burden to bear. This book is a great way to discuss anxiety.
Glad Monster, Sad Monster: A Book About Feelings
by Ed Emberly
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An interactive game for little ones that walks you through the feelings of a little monster.
by Gabi Garcia
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This book helps kids make a connection between what they feel physically with what they feel emotionally. Great for kids with anxiety.
by Dr. Seuss
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Another great book about emotions. This book connects emotions to colors and helps open communication for kids about feelings.
by Janan Cain
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It's o.k. to feel the way you feel. A great book that talks kids through their emotions and affirms them.
by Sarah Lynne Reul
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This book talks kids through terrible things happening in the world. Specifically how grown-ups around us react to tragedy on the news.
by Margaret Holmes
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This book is a story that can help kids learn to handle the sometimes devastating impact of witnessing terrible things.
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What To Do When You Worry Too Much
by Dawn Huebner
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This book teaches school-aged children cognitive-behavioral tactics to help overcome anxiety.
by Scott Menchin
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What makes you happy? A great introduction to self-care for little ones.
More Book Lists
What Do You Do With the Mad That You Feel? (SPPL Staff List)
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A list of picture books to help young ones develop their social emotional skills. Sometimes tough things happen- from death, to bullies, to simply having the blues. These lovely books give a name to kids' complicated feelings, validate their emotions, guide them in their behaviors, and encourage creativity.
10 Books to Help Children Understand Mental Illness
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As much as we want to shield our kids from confusion or concern, health professionals recommend educating children and teenagers about mental illness. When they receive the correct information, it helps dispel common misconceptions and stigma, and provides them with the knowledge and resources they need to understand a particular illness and why they – or someone they know – might struggle.
19 Must-Read Books to Help Kids Understand Their Emotional and Mental Health
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We’ve done our research to find the best children’s books about mental health to ensure your bedtime stories are just as powerful as they are enjoyable.
19 Must-Read Books to Help Kids Understand Their Emotional and Mental Health
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“Mental health” is a weighty phrase that is loaded with different meanings for different people. On one end of the spectrum, it could suggest a call for taking deep breaths or reducing stress and, on the other extreme, concern about one’s mental stability and the possibility that it may lead to violent or extreme choices. For this list of book ideas, I am using the term to consider issues like anxiety, OCD, depression, and ADD/ADHD that are relevant to many kids and families.
