15 Best Mental Health Books For Children (Psychologist Approved)

Published In

Psychology

Aayushi Kapoor March 8th, 2024 · 7min read

15 Best Mental Health Books For Children (Psychologist Approved)

Raising mental health awareness is a necessity in today’s world. Our children need to understand the need to express emotions, improve mental health, and seek motivation to achieve a healthy and positive life. However, it’s quite a challenging task to ask your children how they feel as they are too young to describe some complex emotions.

Herein, the role of books comes in… there are thousands of mental health books for children available that help children understand mental health needs and seek protection to improve their overall quality of life.

In this blog, I have listed the 15 best books for children to improve their mental health and raise awareness which are approved by our psychologists. The enlisted books can also be used by parents, caregivers, or teachers to help kids understand emotions and the need to improve mental health.

Additionally, the books listed in this blog can help children understand experiences or feelings they might be struggling with as they address emotional and behavioral challenges experienced commonly by kids. So, let’s get started!

15 Mental Health Books for Children

1. Feelings and Emotions: Big Feelings

Written by: Alexandra Penfold and Suzzane Kaufman

Big Feelings is one of the best and my top choice for children struggling with uncomfortable emotions or feelings. This book is a perfect book for children about discussing mental health. This book teaches our young readers how to process uncomfortable emotions and how to deal with disappointments and other common mental health issues experienced by children daily.

2. Self-Motivation: You Are Awesome

Written By: Matthew Syed

“You Are Awesome” is one of my favorite picks for young readers. It is a self-motivational book best for teaching self-confidence, self-worth, and self-esteem to children. The writers of this book have compiled examples of famous personalities and their mental struggles which help children to achieve mental learning effectively.

3. Positive Mindset: Stick Up For Yourself! Every Kid’s Guide to Personal Power and Positive Self-Esteem

Written By: Gershen Kaufman., Lev Raphael, And Pamela Espeland

The title of the book says it all; this book helps in teaching the most important mental health lessons to our young readers. This book includes simple language that effectively teaches children how to stand up for themselves.

Additionally, this book also teaches how to build self-esteem and self-confidence. The writers of this book empower children efficiently by teaching them resilience and mental strength.

Related: How To Exude Confidence To Help Achieve Your Goals

4. Self-Esteem: Banish Your Self-Esteem Thief (A Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Workbook On Building Positive Self-Esteem

Written By: Kate-Collins-Donnelly

This book is a workbook based on the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This book is specially written for children aged 10+ old children.

This book helps in understanding and processing uncomfortable emotions. This book involves different worksheets which makes this book one of the mental health books for children.

5. Self-Esteem: You Are A Star: A Child’s Guide To Self-Esteem

Written By: Poppy O’ Neil

This book is one of the best books for building self-esteem in children. Additionally, this book can be best for emotional development. One of the best parts about this book is that it can also be used as a guide for parents to help children navigate through low self-esteem issues. A purple monster helps guide our little readers through an effective approach.

6. Anger: Angster Gangster (Tough It Out)

Published By: Offshoot Books

Angster Gangster is one of the best books for anger management for little readers. This book involves various worksheets based on the principles of CBT.

This book includes a graphic and inspiring story of Gwen who is a short-tempered girl. The book follows the journey of Gwen wherein she gives herself a second chance and blooms up her life. This book can also be used as one of the best stress-buster books for children.

7. Anxiety: Anxiety-Shoo! Say “No” To Stress

Published By: Offshoot Books

This book is one of the best mental health books for children, especially for resolving anxiety-related issues. This book revolves around a 10-year-old boy named Kevin struggling with anxiety.

This book discusses mental health issues faced by children and how anxiety may scare the lives of little children. This book shares inspiration and motivation as a tool for fighting back mental health issues.

8. Self-Motivation: The Little Engine That Could

Written By: Watty Piper

This book is one of the most loved classics by children. This book revolves around various mental health issues faced by children conveying powerful messages throughout the book that promote a positive mindset.

This book is appropriate for all aged children. Additionally, this book perfectly teaches the importance of determination.

9. ADHD: Cory Stories: A Kid’s Book About Living With ADHD

Written By: Jeanne Kraus, Whitney Martin

This book is one of the best books for managing the symptoms of ADHD in children. This book revolves around a character named Cory who effectively teaches children to stay organized, remember things, calm down, make friends, and manage symptoms.

Throughout the book, Cory also discusses struggles related to school, friends, family, and overall functioning openly.

10. Behavior: Sometimes I’m Bombaloo

Written By: Rachel Vail

“Sometimes I’m Bombaloo” is one of the best mental health books for kids. The best part about this book is that it is read-aloud books that demonstrate focused and sustained engagement.

This book also helps in developing an understanding of mental health. The main characters of this book effectively describe their emotional state.

This book is filled with so many statements which help in expressing emotions such as “Katie feels frightened because she couldn’t control what she was doing when she was so very angry.”

11. Bullying: Am I A Bully?

Written By: Hope Gilchrist

As the name implies, this book is specially written to aware children of bullying in young children. This book perfectly explains different types and ways of bullying in children. The best part about this book is that it is written by a Professional Counselor and can help in bringing positive changes in society.

12. Coping Techniques: When Molly Drew Dogs

Written By: Deborah Kerbel

This book is written to bring mental health awareness and teach different coping techniques to our young readers in different situations. This book comes to do what makes you happy. Undoubtedly, this book is one of the best-written pieces by Deborah Kerbel.

13. Depression or Sadness: What’s Up, Maloo?

Written By: Genevieve Godbout

This book is an ideal read for our young readers as it helps in exploring negative emotions and understanding how to deal with them.

Additionally, this book also explores the importance of friendship throughout. The main characters of this book help in regaining mental stability through patience and support.

14. Identity: Red: A Crayon’s Story

Written By: Michael Hall

“Red: A Crayon’s Story” is not only colorful but a very insightful book based on exploring the inner self and following the desired path. This is one of the best mental health books I have ever suggested for young readers.

This book covers a story of reading which helps in gaining a brain-new perspective towards life. This book is heart-warming and funny and can be read by all-aged children.

15. Social Anxiety: Grumpy Monkey Party Time

Written By: Suzanne Lang

Do you want to raise awareness of social anxiety in children? Well, I have found a perfect book for you; “Grumpy Monkey Party Time” is a book revolving around a character named Jim struggling with social anxiety. This book explores how Jim overcame his social anxiety and changed his perspective toward life effectively.

I hope this blog helps you with the 15 best mental health books for children to raise mental health awareness. Comment down and share your favorite pick from the list or the books that work for your children. For more such content, connect with us through social media platforms.

Thanks for reading!

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