Dr. Annie's Bookshelf

A child psychologist's book recommendations for growth and healing

Behavioral Activation

Behavioral activation refers to doing something actively rewarding (e.g., going for a walk, cleaning one’s room, playing a game) in order to address fatigue and low mood that are a part of many people’s experience of depression. It is an evidence-based component of cognitive-behavioral depression treatment. The idea is that if we can get ourselves to do something active or productive, even if it doesn’t sound good in the moment, it often results in improved mood.

Danny and the Blue Cloud

Coping with Childhood Depression

Written by James Foley, D.Ed.
Illustrated by Shirley Ng-Benitez
Age range: Best for young children–preschool through kindergarten, maybe first grade.
Recommended for: Good for young children who are struggling with their mood (or as this books says, who are “born under a blue cloud”). This book could function well in therapy as an introduction to Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and at home as an introduction to the benefits of positive self-talk and getting out of bed to do fun things even when we don’t feel like it!
Evidence-Based Practices: Behavioral activation, Cognitive restructuring
Read the full review

The Princess and the Fog

A Story for Children with Depression

Written and illustrated by Lloyd Jones
Age range: Preschool through 3rd grade. It has a story that younger kids will understand and enjoy, but there’s enough complexity that older kids will connect with it too.
Recommended for: This book is great for any child at all interested in fantasy or fairy tales who is experiencing their own version of the fog (i.e., depressive symptoms). This book could be used to start conversations about mood, therapy, behavioral activation , and/or medication .
Evidence-Based Practices: Psychoeducation, Behavioral activation, Medication
Read the full review

I Feel…Meh

Written and illustrated by DJ Corchin
Age range: Preschool all the way through elementary school.
Recommended for: Kids who are struggling with feelings of “meh” (i.e., nothing sounding good), rather than feelings of sadness/guilt/grief will connect with this book. It’s simple and accessible but describes a feeling and path to feeling better that’s quite relevant to anyone who is currently languishing or feeling blah. It will likely elicit a giggle or two, and it gently suggests an important treatment tool (i.e., behavioral activation ) without being too heavy-handed or at all dark.
Evidence-Based Practices: Behavioral activation
Read the full review

When Sadness Comes to Call

Written and illustrated by Eva Eland
Age range: Preschool through elementary school. It’s simple on the surface but the message is profound.
Recommended for: Really wonderful for a child impacted by a mood disorder or general feelings of sadness who is inclined to want to push away their feelings rather than attend to them with curiosity. For therapists, it’s a perfect introduction to the mindfulness and acceptance components of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) . This book is available in many languages, including Spanish, Chinese, Dutch, Portuguese, and German.
Evidence-Based Practices: Mindfulness, Behavioral activation
Read the full review

Virginia Wolf

Written by Kyo Maclear
Illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault
Age range: 1st grade through 4th grade.
Recommended for: This book is ideal for a child whose sibling is going through a depressive episode and seems “wolfish” (i.e., irritable and grumpy). It is particularly well-suited for a child who might be worried that they no longer matter to their sibling due to a sibling’s irritability or withdrawal from family interactions.
Evidence-Based Practices: Behavioral activation
Read the full review