Dr. Annie's Bookshelf

My Wandering Dreaming Mind

Sun, 04 Sep 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Merriam Sarcia Saunders Illustrated by Tammie Lyon
Recommended for: This book is an excellent read for children who struggle with inattention, whether in the context of ADHD or otherwise, and who will benefit from a reminder that their minds are “amazing.” Sadie is a daydreamer, and she expresses frustration that she can’t get her mind to “stay put.” Her parents remind her that her inattention comes along with many positive qualities, including being imaginative, creative, and kind.

Duck! Rabbit!

Tue, 17 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal Illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld
Recommended for: This simple, yet profound story based on the classic rabbit-duck illusion introduces the idea that two different perspectives can both be true at the same time. It’s great for children who tend to get stuck in arguments about the “correct” perspective (e.g., whether a sibling was being annoying or not) or opinion (e.g., which is the best food, sport, music, etc.).

The Berenstain Bears and the Bad Dream

Tue, 29 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written and illustrated by Stan Berenstain and Jan Berenstain
Recommended for: This vintage Berenstain Bears book explains what nightmares are to children–that they are not real and that they are often a jumbled up collection of things the child was thinking about or feeling throughout the day. This explanation could be really useful to a child who has been having nightmares. It demystifies a nightmare and although it won’t prevent a bad dream, it could help a child to calm down more quickly once they are awake and to fall back asleep more quickly.

They All Saw a Cat

Tue, 17 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written and illustrated by Brendan Wenzel
Recommended for: This book is, at face value, about how different animals see things (i.e., a cat) differently, but it also teaches the concept of different perspectives. It’s a beautiful and clever introduction to the social skill of perspective taking.

Step Back from Frustration

Tue, 26 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Gill Hassan Illustrated by Sarah Jennings
Recommended for: This is a good introduction to the feeling of frustration and how to manage it. It is applicable to children who blow up when they’re frustrated (e.g. kids who will smash apart a Lego creation if they’re struggling to get something right), as well as kids who are more inclined to quickly give up and avoid a frustrating situation.

Tiger Vs. Nightmare

Tue, 29 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written and illustrated by Emily Tetri
Recommended for: Written in comic book style, this book teaches children that they can stand up to a nightmare and dispel it by reminding themselves that the nightmare isn’t real. It’s best for a kid who enjoys some action, as the scenes depicting Tiger and her friend Monster battling the nightmare are a bit scary.

What To Do When Fear Interferes

Thu, 24 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Claire A. B. Freeland, Ph.D. and Jacqueline B. Toner, Ph.D. Illustrated by Janet McDonnell
Recommended for: This workbook is a must-read for any child and their caregiver who are looking for relief from phobia(s). It’s an interactive book that teaches children gold-standard cognitive-behavioral strategies to reduce their fears, and it’s applicable to any and all phobias, including fears related to animals (e.g., dogs, spiders, bees, sharks), nature (e.g., heights, thunderstorms), injuries (e.g., blood, shots), small spaces (e.g., airplanes, elevators), and/or anything else (e.g., clowns, balloons, vomiting).

My Whirling, Twirling Motor

Fri, 02 Sep 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Merriam Sarcia Saunders Illustrated by Tammie Lyon
Recommended for: This book is an excellent read for kids with hyperactivity and/or impulse control challenges (including kids with an ADHD diagnosis) who need a reminder that they’re “wonderful.” It prompts caregivers to remember to point out a child’s strengths and positive behaviors, which is both necessary for kids’ self-esteem and a very effective strategy for supporting positive behavior change.

Tic Talk: Living with Tourette Syndrome

Tue, 16 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Dylan Peters Illustrated by Zachary Wendland and Kris Taft Miller
Recommended for: This book is great for a child who has recently been diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome and/or who is considering whether and how to share about their diagnosis with friends and classmates. Written by a 9-year-old boy with Tourette Syndrome, it normalizes and validates many experiences common to kids with tics. It provides hope that others will accept them and that Tourette Syndrome will not hold them back from pursuing their dreams (make sure to read the foreword and afterword!).

How I Learn

Mon, 25 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Brenda S. Miles Illustrated by Jane Heinrichs
Recommended for: This book features three children with learning disabilities in reading, writing, and math. It explains the concept of a learning disability and instills hope that with the right accommodations and lots of practice, a child “can do anything.” This book is a good read for a child who has recently been diagnosed with a learning disability and who will benefit from normalization and hope that accommodations will help them to learn.

What Happens When Dads Divorce/ Moms Divorce/ Parents Get Divorced

Tue, 19 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written and illustrated by Sarah Olsher
Recommended for: These books are an excellent first introduction to the many changes that come with divorce, and they gently scaffold early conversations about a child’s fears and feelings about these changes while introducing a visual calendar to help a child track when they will be at each parent’s home. The books come in three nearly-identical versions featuring two moms, two dads, and a mom and a dad. The books are best for a child who will be spending time with both of their parents, but they don’t assume 50/50 shared custody.

A Kids Book About Autism

Thu, 26 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Justin Flood and David Flood
Recommended for: This book is written by an autistic young adult and his father and describes the challenges of autism, as well as what they love about it. It is a good read for the allistic (i.e., non-autistic) siblings or friends of autistic children, as well as for autistic children who might relate to Justin (i.e., shared challenges, shared interests). It validates the challenges of autism but ultimately ends on a positive, inclusive note.

The End Is Just the Beginning

Tue, 17 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Mike Bender Illustrated by Diana Mayo
Recommended for: This book will likely resonate best with a verbally-oriented child who will understand and connect with the book’s message that all endings are the beginning of something new. This message is actually quite profound and may be reassuring to a child who struggles with endings and transitions (e.g., leaving a playdate, getting a new teacher).

Kevin the Unicorn

Fri, 06 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written and illustrated by Jessika von Innerebner
Recommended for: This is a silly, sparkly book about Kevin the Unicorn who wakes up to a bad day, and by the end of the book realizes that “it’s okay to not feel okay.” The book is great for a kid who is reluctant to share when they’re feeling down or having a bad day due to a sense that they’re supposed to be/ act happy all the time. It normalizes bad days and highlights how problematic it is to pretend to be happy when one’s “insides [don’t] feel smiley at all.”

What To Do When It’s Not Fair

Mon, 02 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Jacqueline B. Toner, Ph.D. and Claire A. B. Freeland, Ph.D. Illustrated by David Thompson
Recommended for: This interactive workbook based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques helps children to learn cognitive restructuring and relaxation strategies to manage envy when something is “not fair.” It includes techniques to navigate situations when “someone else has something you think is better than what you have, or does something better than you, or gets more attention than you do.” This book is best for a child who has some insight into their thoughts (i.e., can name their thoughts about specific situations).

Zach Gets Frustrated

Wed, 27 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by William Mulcahy Illustrated by Darren McKee
Recommended for: This book teaches the “Name It, Tame It, Reframe It” strategy of emotion regulation (i.e., name the feeling, use a relaxation skill like deep breathing, and then shift one’s thinking to be more helpful), which is useful for a child who has explosive reactions when something goes wrong or doesn’t go their way. It’s an effective trifecta of strategies, and it’s a moderately fun way to introduce this concept.

It Hurts When I Poop!

Mon, 25 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Howard J. Bennett, MD Illustrated by M.S. Weber
Recommended for: This story is for children who withhold their poop due to a fear that it will hurt to let it out. It teaches about the importance of poop and how a child’s diet can soften a poop to make it come out more easily.

Raj’s Rule

Mon, 25 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Lana Button Illustrated by Hatem Aly
Recommended for: This book addresses a common cause of accidents– a fear or reluctance to use the bathroom at school. In rhyming verse, Raj spells out all of the “rules” he has in order to make it through the day without using the bathroom (e.g., no juice, no cartwheels, no laughing). When he ends up having to use the bathroom at school, he realizes that it’s not so bad and that it allows him to have a lot more fun at school. This book could motivate a child to brave the school bathroom and be a start to conversations about bathroom-related exposures .

What To Do When Your Temper Flares

Fri, 15 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Dawn Huebner, Ph.D. Illustrated by Bonnie Matthews
Recommended for: This excellent interactive workbook empowers children to learn strategies to calm their temper. It reviews cognitive strategies (e.g., “cool thoughts”) and behavioral strategies (e.g., deep breaths, squeezing a pillow), and it touches on problem solving, compromise, flexible thinking, and avoiding “payback” escalation. It’s best for a child who is able to articulate their thoughts to some extent, but if a child isn’t yet able to do this, many of the other chapters on “anger-dousing” strategies will still be applicable and helpful. This workbook is great for a child who is ready to learn some strategies as well as a kid who is ambivalent about managing their anger or who doesn’t yet feel that it’s possible.

What To Do When Bad Habits Take Hold

Mon, 28 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Dawn Huebner, Ph.D. Illustrated by Bonnie Matthews
Recommended for: This interactive workbook is a must-read for a child who is struggling with a body-focused repetitive behavior such as nail-biting, hair-pulling, skin-picking, lip-chewing, nose-picking, or thumb-sucking and who wants to stop. Children often develop shame about these behaviors and can’t stop despite caregivers’ frequent urging. This workbook is super destigmatizing–in fact, it explains to children why it makes sense that they feel the urge to do these things. It then presents five “keys”–very doable, evidence-based behaviors–that children can use to start new habits that will make the old ones obsolete. This book can be used in therapy sessions, as therapy “homework” between sessions, or at home with a caregiver.

Jabari Jumps

Tue, 22 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written and illustrated by Gaia Cornwall
Recommended for: Any child who ever feels nervous before taking a plunge–literal or figurative–(i.e., almost everyone) will really like this story. It’s best for a child who has had experience at a swimming pool with a diving board so they can relate to Jabari. This story could be used to start a conversation about facing one’s fears, and it provides a few concrete strategies for doing so (deep breaths, cognitive restructuring , jumping in). Therapists might find it useful as a way to start conversations about exposure therapy .

What to Do When You Don’t Want to Be Apart

Tue, 22 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Kristen Lavalee, Ph.D. and Dr. Silvia Schneider Illustrated by Janet McDonnell
Recommended for: Children who are ready to be more independent and less bothered by their separation anxiety will likely find this workbook to be helpful and non-judgmental. It’s not the most fun book, but it lays out a clear path to being able to enjoy birthday parties and tolerate nights with babysitters, which will be a relief to many children bothered by separation anxiety. Children who aren’t yet self-motivated to practice coping with separations may or may not be engaged enough by the metaphor of flying a hot air balloon to get on board with the activities presented. That said, it is a collection of the most effective Cognitive Behavioral Therapy tools for reducing separation anxiety, so it could be useful for a caregiver to read even if a child isn’t quite ready for it. Therapists may also find this book helpful to use during therapy sessions and/or as between-session homework for caregivers and children to complete each week.

Lola’s/ Leo’s Words Disappeared

Sat, 19 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written and illustrated by Elaheh Bos
Recommended for: These books (there are two nearly identical versions–one featuring a girl, Lola, and one featuring a boy, Leo) are great for therapists to use with children with Selective Mutism (SM) as a way of destigmatizing the experience and of introducing the idea that there are different steps the child can take to work towards overcoming their SM. The books come with a website where you can print out paper dolls of the characters in the story, which I really love. Caregivers can read these books with a child at home, too, especially if they have a therapist they and their child are working with or if they’re already familiar with the techniques included in the books (e.g., making a worry box, diaphragmatic breathing). Also available in French.

Wishing Wellness

Wed, 02 Feb 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Lisa Anne Clarke Illustrated by Bonnie Matthews
Recommended for: Children with a parent or caregiver who is experiencing psychosis (i.e., hallucinations and/or delusions) or is otherwise behaving very unusually. Parent diagnoses of Bipolar I Disorder, Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder, Delusional Disorder, and Major Depressive Disorder with psychotic features are all appropriate. This book is best completed in small doses with a therapist or a caregiver who is not symptomatic.

Danny and the Blue Cloud

Fri, 07 Jan 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by James Foley, D.Ed. Illustrated by Shirley Ng-Benitez
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!

What to Do When You Dread Your Bed

Tue, 21 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Dawn Huebner, Ph.D. Illustrated by Bonnie Matthews
Recommended for: This interactive workbook is a good fit for any child experiencing sleep challenges. It’s appropriate for kids who resist going to sleep, who are struggling to sleep on their own, who have difficulty falling asleep, and those who wake up frequently during the night. It teaches pre-bed relaxation skills, helps a child develop a good bedtime routine, and addresses fear of the dark, nightmares, and scary thoughts that often arise at bedtime. This workbook uses a metaphor of a child being a sleep magician, and it teaches kids fun slight-of-hand magic tricks in each chapter.

What to Do When You Feel Too Shy

Tue, 21 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Written by A. B. Freeland, Ph.D. and Jacqueline B. Toner, Ph.D. Illustrated by Janet McDonnell
Recommended for: This workbook is likely to be useful to children with social anxiety who would like to feel more comfortable in social situations and who don’t hate clowns (there are some prominant clown references). It’s most relevant to children who are anxious when interacting with peers, but the interventions also apply to kids with performance-type anxiety (e.g., when giving a presentation, perfoming in a recital). It’s a great introduction to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for social anxiety. This workbook could be completed over a number of weeks by caregivers and children, in a therapy office, or as “homework” between therapy sessions.

What to Do When You Worry Too Much

Sun, 24 Oct 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Dawn Huebner, Ph.D. Illustrated by Bonnie Matthews
Recommended for: Children struggling with too many worries who want to worry less will likely benefit from going through this interactive workbook with a trusted adult and practicing the recommended skills. It’s a collection of evidence-based practices for worry management, and for some kids, this workbook might be enough to help them learn to get their worries under control! For kids who need a little more support, this workbook could still be a great supplement to therapy. Also available in Spanish.

What to Do When Your Brain Gets Stuck

Mon, 18 Oct 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Dawn Huebner, Ph.D. Illustrated by Bonnie Matthews
Recommended for: This interactive workbook is best for kids and tweens with OCD who have clear compulsions (e.g., tapping, reassurance seeking, hand washing) and/or “not just right” OCD (e.g., straightening, erasing and rewriting, repeatedly changing socks) and who don’t have hoarding challenges. It could be completed chapter-by-chapter in therapy sessions, between sessions as therapy “homework,” or alongside therapy as a supplemental intervention. A caregiver with some understanding of OCD treatment might feel comfortable working through this workbook with their child without the support of therapy; however, most children with OCD will benefit most from being in therapy while completing this workbook (or soon after).

The Magical Yet

Wed, 27 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Angela DiTerlizzi Illustrated by Lorena Alvarez
Recommended for: This beautiful book teaches about the power of “yet” when a child is feeling frustrated and discouraged (e.g., when learning a new instrument, soccer skill, math lesson, etc.). With a magical fairy-like Yet, this story teaches a child that “if you keep leaping, dreaming, wishing–waiting, learning, trying, missing/ With the Yet as your guide, along the way/ You’ll do all of the things you can’t do today.”

Izzy Gizmo

Wed, 27 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Pip Jones Illustrated by Sara Ogilvie
Recommended for: This is a sweet story about a super creative girl whose inventions don’t always work as well as she had hoped. With encouragement from Grandpa, she perseveres instead of quitting, and she is ultimately successful. This book is a great read for kids who are inclined to give up when they aren’t initially successful and who could benefit from viewing failure as a stepping stone to success. This book is available in many languages, including English, Spanish, and Chinese.

The Girl Who Thought in Pictures

Tue, 12 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Julia Finley Mosca Illustrated by Daniel Rieley
Recommended for: This rhyming biography about Dr. Temple Grandin, autistic scientist and public speaker, sends the message that “being different might just be what makes you so neat.” It’s an important message for any child to hear, but it’s particularly relevant to kids who are neurodiverse (e.g., ADHD, autism, learning disabilities). It’s best for children who will enjoy a relatively long book with a lot of words.

A Friend for Henry

Sat, 09 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Jenn Bailey Illustrated by Mika Song
Recommended for: This book is a really lovely read for children who are autistic and interested in making friends, as well as children who are not autistic but who struggle with inflexibility around rules (e.g., sharing) and literal interpretations (e.g., challenges with imaginary play). It aligns with a child who is feeling frustrated with the behavior of their peers who don’t always follow the rules or act logically, and it compassionately helps children to consider what they might look for in a friend, and how a bit of flexibility may help with this. This book could also be a good read for the peers of an autistic child who could use a reminder that their autistic classmate’s perspective is valid and that many friendships are forged on shared interests.

Leah’s Voice

Mon, 04 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Lori Demonia Illustrated by Monique Turchan
Recommended for: This book is great for the siblings of autistic girls, who are very underrepresented in children’s literature about autism. It validates the challenges of having an autistic sibling while highlighting love and connection between the siblings. It particularly supports conversations about what to do if a friend rejects an autistic sibling and presents a model of what inclusive play might look like. The book explicitly states that Leah is “autistic.”

The Most Magnificent Thing

Tue, 21 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Written and illustrated by Ashley Spires
Recommended for: This book is a great read for a child who is quick to get angry and/or to give up when something doesn’t turn out how they wanted. It’s especially relevant to kids who are makers/ crafters/ builders! The overall message of the story is that something doesn’t have to be perfect in order for a child to be happy with their work.

Ian’s Walk

Fri, 08 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Laurie Lears Illustrated by Karen Ritz
Recommended for: This book positions the siblings of autistic children as experts in their siblings’ preferences and interests (as many siblings are), and it reminds the reader that their sibling’s happiness and well-being is more important than what other people might be thinking. It’s best for the siblings of non-speaking or minimally verbal autistic children.

What About Me?

Wed, 06 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Mandy Farmer and Brennan Farmer Illustrated by Emily Neff
Recommended for: This book is ideal to read with children who have autistic siblings and who can sit through a longer, wordier book. It celebrates positive aspects of the siblings’ relationship and builds empathy and understanding for a sibling’s experience while validating some of the very real challenges that can come with having an autistic brother or sister. For children who have ever asked, “What about me?” when their sibling goes to therapy and gets to play games, or when family decisions are made based on an autistic sibling’s needs, this book validates these experiences and provides some useful coping strategies.

My Brother Otto

Mon, 04 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Meg Raby Illustrated by Elisa Pallmer
Recommended for: This book is a cute, upbeat introduction to the idea that although children might be different in many ways, they all want “to play, learn, have friends, and be loved.” It’s ideal for young, non-autistic children with a non-speaking or minimally verbal autistic sibling. This book never explicitly labels Otto as autistic, so it’s a good fit for a family that has not yet talked with their children about diagnoses, or for a family with a child who has some autistic features but a different diagnosis.

Otto Learns About His Medicine

Fri, 02 Sep 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Matthew Galvin Illustrated by Sandra Ferraro
Recommended for: This book is best for a child who has recently been diagnosed with ADHD. It is a surprisingly charming, car-themed overview of ADHD and its treatment. It reviews common symptoms of ADHD (including hyperactivity and inattention), the process of getting evaluated and diagnosed with ADHD (in this book the diagnosis is a motor that runs too fast), and treatment with a psychologist and a psychiatrist–“special mechanics” who are part of young Otto Mobile’s “pit crew.” It describes behavioral and medication interventions and provides hope that a child’s own pit crew will help them run to the best of their ability.

Taking Tourette Syndrome To School

Tue, 16 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Tira Krueger Illustrated by Tom Dineen
Recommended for: This book’s primary purpose is to teach a child’s peers (classmates, teammates, etc.) about Tourette Syndrome so that a child is less likely to be teased or excluded due to their tics. It could be better written, but it’s an acceptable introduction to tics and Tourette Syndrome. It teaches peers important information, including facts like Tourette Syndrome isn’t contagious, and a child isn’t ever ticing on purpose, and it reminds readers that kids with Tourette Syndrome like to play and learn just like everyone else.

Taking Dyslexia to School

Wed, 27 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Lauren E. Moynihan Illustrated by Tom Dineen
Recommended for: This book is best for children who have recently gone through neuropsychological or psychoeducational testing and have been given a diagnosis of dyslexia. It normalizes the testing process, briefly explains the diagnosis, and shares about different accommodations that have helped the narrator improve his reading and better access his education. If a child is expressing confusion, worry, or shame about their diagnosis or recommended accommodations, this book could be a start to reassuring and clarifying conversations with a trusted adult.

Benji, the Bad Day, and Me

Wed, 08 Jun 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Sally J. Pla Illustrated by Ken Min
Recommended for: This book is a very sweet, heart-warming read for a non-autistic child with an autistic sibling. The book validates the challenges of having an autistic (or otherwise neurodiverse, disabled, etc.) sibling while showing the depth and importance of the siblings’ love for one another. This book is probably best for children who are both able to recognize each other’s feelings to some extent and to engage in reciprocal affection and/or caretaking behaviors.

Do You Want to Play?

Tue, 07 Jun 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Daniel Share-Strom Illustrated by Naghmeh Afshinjah
Recommended for: This book, written by an autistic author, is a celebration of parallel play and perspective taking, and it is excellent for the peers or siblings of autistic children who are minimally verbal and/or who prefer parallel play (i.e., playing side-by-side but independently) to cooperative play. This story models non-patronizing, inclusive play and encourages kids to learn to play in ways that are fun for everyone.

Grumpy Monkey

Fri, 06 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Suzanne Lang Illustrated by Max Lang
Recommended for: This book helps kids to recognize when they’re feeling grumpy (and maybe also sad, as is common with grumpiness), and it gives children permission to feel grumpy without needing to try to fix it right away. The story validates how annoying it is when everyone tries to give you unsolicited advice for how to feel better, and it ends with a sweet moment between friends who agree that “it’s a wonderful day to feel grumpy.”

Way Past Jealous

Fri, 29 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Hallee Adelman Illustrated by Karen Wall
Recommended for: This book is a great read for a child who is feeling jealous of a peer/sibling’s accomplishments or attention and who has found themselves subsequently acting in ways that they aren’t proud of. It validates the feeling of jealousy and gently encourages a child to consider their values (e.g., friendship) and to act in ways that align with these values. It also includes a nice modeled apology at the end.

Jabari Tries

Thu, 28 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written and illustrated by Gaia Cornwall
Recommended for: This is a fun, heart-warming book about a boy and his baby sister engineering a model plane and overcoming the frustration of crashes to find success. It’s a lovely book to read with a child who has a hard time managing frustration and/or who is disinclined to try again after an initial failure.

Max Archer, Kid Detective

Tue, 26 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Howard J. Bennett, MD Illustrated by Spike Gerrell
Recommended for: Written by a pediatrician, this book is excellent for a child who experiences regular bed-wetting and who is feeling embarrassed or ashamed of this. It very effectively destigmatizes nocturnal enuresis (i.e., nighttime bed-wetting) with its cool kid detective protagonist who shares that he wet the bed until he was 11-years-old, and it provides a few tips for reducing frequency of bed-wetting.

A Bedtime Yarn

Wed, 30 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Nicola Winstanley Illustrated by Olivia Chin Mueller
Recommended for: This comforting bedtime story helps a child to visualize a connection between themselves and their caregiver as they drift off to sleep. It’s a book filled with vibrant imagery about magical, colorful dreams that ends with a little cub being brave and conquering his fear of the dark. Any child with a caregiver who knits will particularly enjoy this book.

The Tossy Turny Princess and the Pesky Pea

Tue, 29 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Susan Verde Illustrated by Jay Fleck
Recommended for: This riff off of The Princess and the Pea teaches children relaxation skills to use before bed when they are having trouble feeling sleepy (including stretching, taking deep breaths, and doing a mindfulness exercise of placing worries on stars and watching them twinkle and disappear). It’s a fun, well-written read, and it easily leads into a child practicing the relaxation skills along with the Princess. Adults might benefit from joining in as well!

Mr. Worry

Mon, 28 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Holly L. Niner Illustrated by Greg Swearingen
Recommended for: This book is exclusively for a child who has recently been diagnosed with OCD and is starting treatment with a therapist who is trained in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) . The book reassures children that they aren’t “crazy” or the only ones with OCD, and it teaches about ERP and the strategy of externalizing and talking back to OCD (the boy in this book calls his OCD thoughts “Mr. Worry”). It provides children with an analogy of medication being a child’s running shoes, the therapist being the coach, and the child being the runner (ERP is the “running strategy”). The book is a bit outdated but it’s still one of the best picture book introductions to ERP that I’ve been able to find.

The Thing Lou Couldn’t Do

Fri, 25 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written and illustrated by Ashley Spires
Recommended for: Many children will enjoy this book simply because it’s a good book. It’s a particularly great read for a child who avoids tasks they’re afraid they won’t succeed at. It’s a story that normalizes and neutralizes failure and celebrates giving something a try.

The Not-So-Scary Dog

Tue, 22 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Alanna Propst Illustrated by Michelle Simpson
Recommended for: This book is a fairly fun introduction to exposure therapy and could be really helpful for therapists to use when introducing this concept to children. It’s especially relevant for a child who has a fear of dogs, but it could apply to many specific fears (e.g., fear of spiders, snakes, clowns, elevators, heights). Caregivers who are familiar with the concepts of exposure therapy and feel prepared to support a child in facing their fears in this way may also find this book useful for an at-home read.

Pilar’s Worries

Tue, 08 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Victoria M. Sanchez Illustrated by Jess Golden
Recommended for: This book is best for children with performance anxiety. Pilar is a ballet dancer, but children with anxiety about other types of performances (e.g., musical performances, theater, class presentations, sports) would also likely benefit from reading this story. It normalizes performance anxiety, which is an important intervention (i.e., there’s nothing wrong with you for feeling anxious about a performance), and it teaches strategies of breathing, visualization, and talking with a loved one.

When Harley Has Anxiety

Tue, 08 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Regine Galanti, Ph.D. Illustrated by Vicky Lommatzsch
Recommended for: I highly recommend this workbook for parents and children to work through together over many weeks or even months. It’s ideal for a child who would like to feel less anxious and who is ready to learn some strategies for getting their anxiety more under control. This workbook is based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and is a comprehensive collection of evidence-based practices for childhood anxiety. Therapists may also be interested in using this book in session with clients as a way of structuring their treatment or as between-session “homework” for children and their caregivers as a means of reinforcing in-session content.

My Happy Sad Mummy

Sat, 22 Jan 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Michelle Vasiliu Illustrated by Lucia Masciullo
Recommended for: Exclusively for young children with parents or caregivers with Bipolar I Disorder who have been hospitalized or will likely need to be hospitalized. This book isn’t perfect. The mother has “happy” days and “sad” days, which isn’t an accurate representation of manic or depressive episodes for most people, and it’s just not a particularly engaging story. But it does introduce the idea of a parent having up and down moods and needing to be hospitalized. Its primary message is that no matter what, the child is loved by their parent with bipolar disorder, and they will be taken care of even if their parent with bipolar disorder is not always able to take care of them.

My Family’s Changing

Tue, 21 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Pat Thomas Illustrated by Lesley Harker
Recommended for: This book provides a developmentally appropriate explanation of what divorce is and how it might impact a child. The book is fairly dry but useful; parents may even choose to read this on their own and borrow the language when talking with their children.

The Princess and the Fog

Sun, 24 Oct 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Written and illustrated by Lloyd Jones
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 .

When Fuzzy Was Afraid of Losing His Mother

Thu, 07 Oct 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Inger Maier, Ph.D. Illustrated by Jennifer Candon
Recommended for: Young children with separation anxiety will likely benefit from reading this book with a caregiver or therapist. It introduces the idea that practicing separations will help the anxiety, not make it worse, and that caregivers aren’t being mean if they don’t accommodate their child’s separation anxiety. It easily leads into a conversation about how a child can cope with separations and how they and their caregivers can start practicing small separations to build up to bigger ones (i.e., graded exposures).

Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great

Fri, 29 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written and illustrated by Bob Shea
Recommended for: This book is a fun, silly read that can start conversations about jealousy, perspective-taking, and self-esteem. It’s ideal for a child who has criticized, rejected, or even bullied someone due to feelings of insecurity or jealousy (as Goat initially does in this story). It’s less ideal for someone who has been on the receiving end of this. Children are often told that someone is being mean to them because they are “just jealous,” and although this is well-intentioned and sometimes true, it can come off as invalidating or even overly permissive of hurtful behaviors.

A Kids Book About Depression

Wed, 12 Jan 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Kileah McIlvain
Recommended for: This book is great for an older child who has recently been diagnosed with a depressive disorder or who a parent or provider suspects may be holding onto heavy feelings without sharing them. It vividly puts words to the experience of depression without sugarcoating the pain, and it provides hope that sharing about this experience with a loved one and getting help will lead to a child “learning to see through the darkness.”

Plenty of Love To Go Around

Fri, 29 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written and illustrated by Emma Chichester Clark
Recommended for: This adorable book is great for animal lovers who have experienced or will be experiencing a change from being the “Special One” or “best one and only” to having to share someone’s love and attention. This would apply to children who are adjusting to sharing their parents with a new sibling or step-sibling; their grandparents, aunts, and uncles with a new cousin; their best friend with a new friend who wants to play; etc. It reassures children that there is “plenty of love to go around.”

A Kids Book About Anger

Mon, 11 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Fabian Ramirez
Recommended for: This book is ideal for an older, verbally-oriented child who is scared of their anger and/or feels embarrassed or ashamed by their behavior when they’re angry. The book destigmatizes anger by presenting it as a valuable feeling that shows us when we’ve been hurt or that something is unfair. It teaches children strategies for managing the feeling in healthy ways (e.g. deep breaths, talking about it with someone they trust) so that they can use their anger to motivate positive change.

Mrs. Gorski, I Think I Have the Wiggle Fidgets

Fri, 02 Sep 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Barbara Esham Illustrated by Mike and Carl Gordon
Recommended for: This book destigmatizes the “wiggle fidgets” (recognizable as ADHD, but no diagnostic labels are used in the story), celebrates kids’ creativity, and empowers kids to brainstorm accommodations that might help them to better manage their symptoms. It’s a great read prior to a conversation with a child about school accommodations such as movement breaks and using a fidget toy.

My Day Is Ruined!

Wed, 18 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Bryan Smith Illustrated by Lisa Griffin
Recommended for: This story teaches children that they can practice flexible thinking to make it less likely that their days are ruined when something goes wrong (e.g., a rained out baseball game, a fire drill during freetime). It’s an empowering message, and it’s provided by a relatable protagonist. Kids whose days are easily ruined by small setbacks will likely feel understood by Braden and comforted by the idea that they might not need things to go perfectly in order to feel okay.

Say Something

Tue, 03 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Recommended for: This book encourages children to share their ideas and to make a difference with their voices, actions, and art. It’s a great start to talking about what children can do about injustices they see or problems they care about (e.g., racism, climate change, bullying at school). This book explicitly states right at the beginning that children can say something in any way that fits for them. “You don’t have to be loud. Powerful words can be a whisper. You can say something in so many ways. With words, with action, with creativity.”

When I Feel Angry

Mon, 11 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Cornelia Maude Spelman Illustrated by Nancy Cote
Recommended for: This book is a really great introduction to anger management and would probably be best received by a child who has expressed some interest in getting a better handle on their anger (maybe they want to get in trouble less, or they’ve expressed sadness about hurting someone’s feelings while they were angry). Importantly, it teaches children to listen to their anger (e.g., maybe a child needs a rest or someone needs to stop being unfair) as well as to calm down using a handful of impactful coping strategies (e.g., taking a break, deep breaths, exercise, talking with a trusted person).

Good Night Yoga

Tue, 29 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Mariam Gates Illustrated by Sarah Jane Hinder
Recommended for: This book walks children through a relaxing yoga routine to help them settle their bodies prior to going to sleep. For a child who often has the wiggles or feels uncomfortable when they get in bed at night, this book could be really helpful. The visualizations that accompany the yoga poses (e.g., picturing birds settling in a tree at night) could also help a child to settle their minds before sleep. This book is also available in Spanish and German.

Beautiful Oops

Sat, 26 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written and illustrated by Barney Saltzberg
Recommended for: Children who are perfectionistic about their artwork (or other types of activities) will benefit from this book’s fun, concrete introduction to the idea that mistakes can be great opportunities for creativity. It leads well into doing an art project of turning one’s own artistic blemishes (e.g., tears, smudges) into beautiful creations.

Not Afraid of Dogs

Tue, 22 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Susanna Pitzer Illustrated by Larry Day
Recommended for: This book could open up some important conversations about fears and bravery with children who are holding beliefs that they shouldn’t be scared or that others will judge them if they are. It is also an extremely sweet book about a boy overcoming his fear of dogs to comfort a dog when she is scared. I would not recommend this book for a child who isn’t expressing some embarrassment/shame/denial of their anxiety, as this could introduce the idea that someone might make fun of them for their fear (it’s not that this book is endorsing this, but it’s part of the plot).

Maya’s Voice

Sat, 19 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written and illustrated by Wen-Wen Chang
Recommended for: This book helps to destigmatize Selective Mutism (SM) and to provide hope that it won’t last forever. Could be a good read for caregivers and their child with SM, or to read to a classroom to help other students understand and accept a child who isn’t speaking yet (but maybe leave out the page where a classmate pinches Maya because they know she won’t tell the teacher). This book is best for a child who won’t be turned off by Maya’s traditionally feminine interests (pink, princesses, playing house) and the description of her voice as “sweet.”

When I Miss You

Sat, 19 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Cornelia Maude Spelman Illustrated by Kathy Parkinson
Recommended for: Young children who are anticipating missing a caregiver or who are currently missing a caregiver will benefit from the validation this book provides as well as the gentle suggestions for ways to soothe the ache of missing a loved one. This would be a great read prior to a first day of school or to a caregiver going on a trip, or before a child is left with a babysitter. Anyone who ever watches a child while they’re separated from a parent/ caregiver (e.g., relatives, teachers, babysitters) may want to have this book on hand for moments of missing mom or dad (or any other important caregiver). Although divorce isn’t specifically addressed in this book, a child with separated parents might also benefit from reading this book when they are staying with one parent and missing the other.

Gustavo the Shy Ghost

Sat, 12 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written and illustrated by Flavia Z. Drago
Recommended for: This book is a fun read for a child who is shy and/or quiet, and needs a reminder that others will appreciate them for their strengths and passions, just as they are, if they can be brave, be themselves, and let others get to know them! Available in English and Spanish.

The Nervous Knight

Tue, 01 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written and illustrated by Lloyd Jones
Recommended for: A child with a lot of safety-oriented worries who is at all interested in knights or medieval lore. This story destigmatizes anxiety (knights are inherently cool and brave, right?) and presents the value of exposure (i.e., doing things they care about even if they’re scary) and expectancy violations (i.e., bad outcomes happen, and they’re not nearly as bad as the knight expected). Different coping strategies are briefly shared by the knight’s classmates (also knights), which might give these techniques a bit of extra credibility! The knight is particularly anxious about participating in jousting practice in front of his classmates; this will likely resonate with children who experience significant anxiety in performance situations (e.g., sporting events, recitals, etc.).

Wemberly Worried

Sat, 19 Feb 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes
Recommended for: A child with lots of worries will feel seen by this story and will likely feel reassured that despite their worries, they can still make friends and have fun. It’s ideal for children who have been criticized for worrying and/or who have started to criticize themselves for it and who need a reminder that this isn’t helpful or deserved. It’s also a great starter to a conversation between a child and their caregivers about what their caregivers can do to be helpful when the child is feeling worried (e.g., helping them to engage in something fun even if they’re worried!) instead of simply imploring the child not to worry.

Up and Down Mom

Sun, 23 Jan 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written and illustrated by Summer Maçon
Recommended for: Young children who have a parent with Bipolar I Disorder who need reassurance that they are not alone in their experience. The book is probably more reassuring to parents reading it than the children intended to be the audience, but it can be used to open conversations about how a child feels when a parent acts erratically, is unavailable, or is in the hospital, as well as conversations about emergency planning (e.g., who they can contact if they’re worried about their parent or themselves and who will take care of them if a parent is unable to). It’s not a great book, but there’s not much better out there.

I Feel…Meh

Thu, 13 Jan 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written and illustrated by DJ Corchin
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.

Why Do Families Change?

Mon, 27 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Dr. Jillian Roberts Illustrated by Cindy Revell
Recommended for: This book is a calm, normalizing introduction to divorce and separation, and it provides recommendations for coping with upcoming changes. The illustrations include families of color and queer parents, so it is particularly well-suited for families looking for a book with representation beyond White, heterosexual parents. No specific custody arrangements are mentioned in the book.

Up and Down the Worry Hill

Tue, 21 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Aureen Pinto Wagner, Ph.D. Illustrated by Paul A. Jutton
Recommended for: A child who has recently been diagnosed with OCD and/or who is exhibiting OCD symptoms and is about to start treatment with a therapist trained in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) . A therapist could read it with a child in an early therapy session, or parents could read it with their child prior to starting therapy.

Ruby Finds a Worry

Sun, 24 Oct 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Written and illustrated by Tom Percival
Recommended for: This book is great to read with children who seem to be carrying heavy feelings around with them and not sharing them. Kids with worries and/or mood symptoms would likely benefit from reading this book–the message that one can feel better by connecting with others and sharing one’s feelings is quite applicable to both depression symptoms as well as worries. For therapists, this book could be helpful as a read early in therapy with a child who isn’t sure talking about their feelings will help at all.

Ben & Emma’s Big Hit

Mon, 25 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Gavin Newsom and Ruby Shamir Illustrated by Alexandra Thompson
Recommended for: This book is a great story, which happens to be co-written by California’s Governor Gavin Newsom, about a boy with dyslexia who loves baseball (loosely based on Newsom’s own experience as a child with dyslexia). It is also a story about having more in common with others than we realize and about never giving up. It’s a wonderful book for kids who think they are the only ones struggling to read (there’s a surprise twist in the story that disproves this), and it celebrates kids’ strengths. The publisher states that the book was written in a font specifically designed to be easier to read for people with dyslexia.

So Loud It Hurts!

Tue, 12 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written and illustrated by Elaheh Bos
Recommended for: This book encourages children to problem solve and self-advocate in order to reduce their exposure to sensations that are uncomfortable to them (in this case, loud noises at a birthday party). It’s a perfect fit for any child who has dreaded a birthday party due to a fear that popping balloons or a loud rendition of the Happy Birthday song will overwhelm them. It is not specific to autism-related sensory sensitivities but would be a good fit for an autistic child with sensitivity to sounds.

Pout Pout Fish Far, Far From Home

Sat, 21 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Deborah Diesen Illustrated by Dan Hanna
Recommended for: This book is an excellent read before, during, or after a vacation to help a child prepare for/ cope with/ or process a trip not going exactly as planned. Mr. Fish is initially frustrated by all of the disappointments, but then he realizes that the hiccups came with new opportunities and adventure (e.g., a detour takes him to a beautiful view). This book could be used more generally as a way to talk about things not going as planned and how a child can cope with this and be more open to disappointments and detours leading to new opportunities.

Speak Up, Molly Lou Melon

Tue, 03 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Patty Lovell Illustrated by David Catrow
Recommended for: This book celebrates speaking up for what a child feels is right–whether that be taking accountability, standing up to bullying, or inviting a new kid to play. Molly Lou Melon is “a tiny little girl with a big deep-down heart,” and she will likely inspire children to be brave like she is. This story is a lovely way to talk with children about when it might be difficult for them to speak up and what might happen if they do.

The Magic Hug

Tue, 12 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written and illustrated by Fifi Kuo
Recommended for: For children, this book provides reassurance that even when their anger gets the best of them, their parents still love them, and a hug can really help. For adults, this book is a short, emotionally vibrant reminder that when children “flame” and destroy things, it’s a scary, lonely experience for them, and they often need a hug.

Mindful Moments at Bedtime

Tue, 29 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Paloma Rossa Illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman
Recommended for: This book is a lovely collection of peaceful mindfulness exercises for a child to practice with an adult before bed, or really anytime they could use a relaxing reset. A child who often has a lot of racing thoughts or worries when they’re going to bed might particularly benefit from some of the exercises in this book. Therapists and child care providers interested in incorporating mindfulness exercises into their work with children might enjoy using this book during the day, as well. All but the last prompt on dreams are applicable to the daytime as well as bedtime.

Unraveling Rose

Mon, 28 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Brian Wray Illustrated by Shiloh Penfield
Recommended for: This book is a good introduction to the idea that picking/pulling at an “imperfection” (in this book, a loose thread) often makes it worse, and the more one picks/pulls, the harder it is to stop. The book ends with Rose (the stuffed bunny protagonist) realizing that instead of trying to fix her imperfection, she can practice tolerating it until she no longer notices it much at all. It’s a good fit for a child who is struggling to stop picking at imperfections in their skin, hair, or nails to the point that they’re causing sores or bald patches. It could also potentially be used to start a conversation about intrusive thoughts and/or “not just right” thoughts in OCD, but an adult would need to facilitate a child’s understanding of this metaphor.

The Dot

Sat, 26 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Recommended for: This is a lovely read for a child who is reluctant to try something if they think they’re not good at it or won’t be good at it. It shows how just getting started can be the beginning of a new passion and a sense of accomplishment. It also suggests that being “good” at something is often a limited construct and that there are many ways to define success.

Don’t Lick the Dog

Wed, 23 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written and illustrated by Wendy Wahman
Recommended for: This book is a great read for children who do not feel confident in their ability to interact safely with dogs. It teaches kids how dogs like to be approached and what to do if a dog is feeling threatened or scared in order to prevent unsafe interactions. This book might be extra useful for kids to read with caregivers who are also a little wary of dogs.

Owl Babies

Mon, 21 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Martin Waddell Illustrated by Patrick Benson
Recommended for: Many young children who are anticipating or experiencing a separation from a caregiver will love the emotional journey of this short, simple book and will benefit from the book’s conclusion– despite the owl’s worries and fears, Owl Mother always comes back. This book is probably best for a child whose parent is going to work or leaving for a short period of time, rather than a longer separation.

Halibut Jackson

Wed, 09 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written and illustrated by David Lucas
Recommended for: Children who are shy or afraid to show their true selves will love this book about a shy, quirky guy who works hard to literally blend into the background. He accidentally stands out one day, which causes people to notice him and ultimately love him for who he is.

The Whatifs

Thu, 03 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Emily Kilgore Illustrated by Zoe Persico
Recommended for: Kids who are inclined to think that worst possible scenarios will happen may benefit from this book’s messages that our Whatifs (in this book, pictured as cute flying monsters) can be both “grim” (e.g., “What if my dog runs away) and hopeful (e.g., “What if there’s chocolate cake after our recital”), and that more hopeful Whatifs help us to feel better and often come true. The main character Cora is anxious about a piano recital; this book could also be great to read with children who get particularly anxious about performances.

How Big Are Your Worries Little Bear?

Sun, 20 Feb 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Jayneed Sanders Illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman
Recommended for: Best for children you suspect have lots of worries that are bringing them down (perhaps they’re also having tummy aches and nightmares) but who aren’t sharing their worries with anyone. Also great for a parent who needs a reminder that being a good listener when a child is sharing worries is invaluable (and that saying “Don’t worry!” isn’t helpful). This book leads well into an activity of a child drawing out their own worries.

Why Are You So Sad?

Fri, 28 Jan 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Beth Andrews Illustrated by Nicole Wong
Recommended for: Children with parents (or other caregivers) who have mood disorders will benefit from the developmentally appropriate explanations and reassurances this book provides. It’s part workbook, with opportunities for a child to draw and write about their feelings, questions, and experiences related to having a parent with depression. Great for family members, therapists, and/or school counselors to complete with a child whose parent is struggling with depression. Includes a section on hospitalization.

Santiago’s Sadness

Sun, 09 Jan 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Gabi Garcia Illustrated by Marta Pineda
Recommended for: This book portrays the importance of sitting with and “unpacking” our feelings rather than avoiding them. It is excellent to read with children who think that feeling sad is wrong, weak, useless, or scary and therefore minimize what they’re feeling and/or who avoid thinking about or sharing their feelings. It’s also great for a child who is feeling sad about a family’s move (as Santiago is), but it’s certainly not limited to this specific situation. This story is available in Spanish as well as English.

A Walk in the Words

Wed, 27 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written and illustrated by Hudson Talbott
Recommended for: This book, written by an author with his own history of reading challenges, reframes reading slowly as “savor[ing] the story” and shares the author’s own journey from feeling ashamed of his reading speed, to feeling overwhelmed when books lost their pictures, to “enjoy[ing] the ride” once he became more comfortable reading at his own pace. This would be a great read for children who are feeling self-conscious or ashamed about reading more slowly than their peers and who need a reminder that reading quickly is not the point of reading.

Sensory Seeking Sloth

Wed, 13 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written and illustrated by Jennifer Jones
Recommended for: This book is a relatively fun way to introduce the idea of increasing a child’s sensory input throughout the day to meet their sensory needs. This can be a helpful intervention for some children with autism, ADHD, anxiety, and body-focused repetitive behaviors (e.g., skin-picking and hair-pulling). It introduces the concept of sensory seeking and provides many concrete examples a child can try out (e.g., jumping on a trampoline, eating something crunchy, playing with a fidget toy). School psychologists and counselors, as well as OTs, may particularly find this book useful when discussing interventions for kids to try out.

An Itchy, Ouchy Morning

Tue, 12 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Michal Blum Illustrated by Shira Limon
Recommended for: This silly book written in rhyme empathizes with kids whose feet feel uncomfortable in socks, and it gently pokes fun of the great lengths parents will go to in order to find socks their child will wear. In the end, Tommy eschews these accommodations, picks out a pair of socks on his own, and tolerates the discomfort because he wants to get to school to play with his friends. It’s a great way to start a conversation about strategies for tolerating discomfort when sensory accommodations aren’t possible or don’t seem to be helping.

Saturday

Sat, 21 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written and illustrated by Oge Mora
Recommended for: Ava and her mother use their coping skills and creativity to salvage their special day, Saturday, even though nothing goes according to plan. This book is, perhaps first and foremost, about a loving relationship between a Black mother and daughter. It is also a lovely story about coping with disappointments and a fun way to encourage children to practice taking deep breaths (there’s a refrain of Ava and her mother taking a deep breath each time something goes wrong).

Grumpy Pants

Mon, 09 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written and illustrated by Claire Messer
Recommended for: This is a great read for a grumpy day. It destigmatizes feeling grumpy, and in a silly way, helps a child to see how Penguin’s self-soothing (primarily centered around getting undressed and taking a bath) sets him up to have a less grumpy day tomorrow.

Isobel Adds It Up

Thu, 05 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Kristy Everington Illustrated by AG Ford
Recommended for: This book is a fun read for kids who need some encouragement to advocate respectfully for what they want. It’s especially, but not specifically, relevant to children who are bothered by loud noises and/or who love math. Kids who tend to complain without doing anything about the situation or who use aggressive or passive aggressive strategies may benefit from Isobel’s experimentation with these different strategies and her ultimate realization that kindly and directly articulating one’s preferences is often most effective.

Sometimes I’m Bombaloo

Wed, 13 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Rachel Vail Illustrated by Yumi Heo
Recommended for: This story is excellent for a child who feels ashamed of their temper and would benefit from a reminder that lots of very good, very loving children say and do things they regret when their temper gets the best of them. It ends with an understanding mother who gives Katie a hug and helps her to clean up the mess her temper made. This story doesn’t teach any specific anger management strategies, but it could be a start to conversations about what it’s like for a child when they turn into their own version of Bombaloo, which in turn could motivate a child’s openness to discussing anger management strategies.

Monster Trouble!

Tue, 29 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Lane Fredrickson Illustrated by Michael Robertson
Recommended for: This book is a really fun read for a child who has a fear of monsters under the bed or in the closet, but who knows (at least on some level) that monsters aren’t real. It helps a child to shift their view on monsters from dangerous to silly and innocuous. It’s also just a very adorable book.

Anxious Charlie to the Rescue

Mon, 28 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written and illustrated by Terry Milne
Recommended for: This book is best for a child who has a type of OCD with compulsive rituals (e.g., counting a number of steps, tapping different items, etc.). Children with this type of OCD will likely relate to dachsund Charlie and enjoy seeing him be the hero of the story. For therapists, this book is a light, fun introduction to Exposure and Response Prevention .

The Book of Mistakes

Fri, 25 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written and illustrated by Corinna Luyken
Recommended for: Children who struggle to tolerate making mistakes may be inspired by this book to see mistakes as opportunities. It’s a beautiful book about art, and creativity, and being a work-in-progress. Therapists and/or caregivers may enjoy using this book to segue into an art activity that plays with mistakes.

The Dark

Wed, 23 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Lemony Snicket Illustrated by Jon Klassen
Recommended for: This book helps a child to shift their relationship with the dark from foe to friend. It is best for a slightly older child who will tolerate or even enjoy the book’s creepiness (e.g., kids who like ghost stories) and who will understand the ending–it’s a bit subtle. It’s a great story.

The Kissing Hand

Sat, 19 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Audrey Penn Illustrated by Ruth Harper and Nancy M. Leak
Recommended for: This book is a lovely read for caregivers and their children who have recently developed some separation anxiety or who are anxious about an anticipated separation (e.g., a first day of school). It won’t be enough to fully address significant separation anxiety, but it provides a sweet visualization to help children cope with missing a loved one.

Too Shy to Say Hi

Sun, 13 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Shannon Anderson Illustrated by Hiroe Nakata
Recommended for: This book is a good read for children who want to be able to make friends and talk with unfamiliar people but who are anxious about it and sick of adults telling them to “just say hi” as if it were easy. It shares a couple of strategies for working up the courage to say hi (practicing in a mirror, taking a deep breath), and it models an exposure challenge and subsequent decrease in Shelli’s worries following a positive outcome (she makes a friend!).

The Worrysaurus

Sun, 20 Feb 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Rachel Bright Illustrated by Chris Chatterton
Recommended for: Great for a kid whose days are often ruined by worry. It’s cute and non-threatening, and has a relatable dinosaur protagonist. Worrysaurus promotes insight into the way that worry ruins days (by making bad outcomes seem more likely or real than they probably are), encourages the creation of a coping box of favorite items to help a child to feel better when they’re worried, and gently introduces the idea that focusing on the present is an antidote to worries about the future.

Not Today, Celeste!

Fri, 21 Jan 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written and illustrated by Liza Stevens
Recommended for: This adorable story is great for young children to read with a parent or caregiver who is struggling with their mood. This book is reassuring for both children and their parents–it teaches children that their parent’s depression isn’t the child’s fault, that their parent still loves them, and that there’s help to be had; it reminds parents that depression isn’t their fault either and that their child will continue loving them.

When Sadness Comes to Call

Tue, 11 Jan 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written and illustrated by Eva Eland
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.

I Don’t Want to Talk About It

Tue, 21 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Jeanie Franz Ransom Illustrated by Kathryn Kunz Finney
Recommended for: This book uses animal metaphors to help a child who doesn’t want to talk express their painful feelings about their parents’ divorce. It’s best for children who already have a basic understanding of divorce and the changes that will be happening or have recently happened in their family. This book is exclusively for families with divorcing/ separating parents who are planning to share custody.

What to Do When You Grumble Too Much

Tue, 26 Oct 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Dawn Huebner, Ph.D. Illustrated by Bonnie Matthews
Recommended for: I would recommend this interactive workbook for a child who would like to feel more resilient when things don’t go their way and who won’t be totally thrown off by the (fairly judgmental) title. The interventions in this workbook predominantly focus on cognitive restructuring , which requires a child be able to articulate their thoughts to some extent. In most situations, I’d recommend a different book on problem solving, flexible thinking , and/or frustration tolerance , but for a primer on strategies that address glass-half-empty thinking patterns, this workbook could be useful. The obstacle course metphor that Dr. Huebner uses is effective and fun.

Brilliant Bea

Tue, 26 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Shaina Rudolph and Mary Vukadinovich Illustrated by Fiona Lee
Recommended for: This book is great for kids with dyslexia who have lost sight of their strengths and need a reminder that they, too, are brilliant (“bright and radiant…the opposite of dull”). This story celebrates teachers who see students’ strengths, and it highlights the importance of accommodations (in this book, a tape recorder) to help kids become “who [they] are meant to be.” The text is written in a dyslexia-friendly font (EasyReading).

That Missing Feeling

Wed, 20 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater Illustrated by Morena Forza
Recommended for: This book helps children to name the feeling of “missing,” which many children frequently feel following parents’ separation or divorce. It suggests journaling (drawing and/or writing) as a strategy to cope with this feeling. It’s best read after parents’ separation has already occurred and a child has a working understanding of separation/divorce. This book features a grandfather confidante and would be great if read with an extended family member or therapist, particularly if paired with a gift of a small journal or notebook.

Not Your Typical Dragon

Wed, 13 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Dan Bar-el Illustrated by Tim Bowers
Recommended for: This book is a fun read for any kid who has ever been criticized for being unique or different. It celebrates differences and pokes fun at adults who want their children to be “typical.” The metaphor of the story could apply to many scenarios, but it could be a particularly good fit for kids who are neurodiverse (e..g., autism, ADHD) or LGBTQIA and need a light-hearted reminder that their differences are assets rather than flaws (who wouldn’t love to hang out with a dragon who breathes whipped cream rather than fire?!).

Mr. Flux

Sat, 21 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Kyo Maclear Illustrated by Matte Stephens
Recommended for: This book is a very fun and very wise story about learning to live with change, and sometimes even liking it. It’s wonderful for kids who are nervous about change, as well as kids whose uniqueness is sometimes criticized by others who prefer things to stay the same. It introduces the idea of experimenting with small changes as a means of building up to bigger changes, which is a great set-up for talking about change-related exposure therapy .

Way Past Mad

Wed, 13 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Hallee Adelman Illustrated by Sandra de la Prada
Recommended for: This story is a good read for a child who is ambivalent about learning to manage their anger. For some children, temper can feel powerful (if also a bit scary), and they’re reluctant to give this up. This story walks a child through the consequences of their temper being in control, and it models an effective apology.

Everybody in the Red Brick Building

Tue, 29 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Anne Wynter Illustrated by Oge Mora
Recommended for: This story is really excellent for soothing a young child who has been woken up by a loud noise. It’s particularly relevant for a child who lives in a city. The Red Brick Building is an apartment building, and a car alarm is featured prominently. It’s a fun story with repetitive onomatopoeias that really sing, and it encourages a child to listen to the quiet sounds of a city night as they fall back asleep.

Ish

Sat, 26 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Recommended for: This story is an excellent read for a child who gets stuck on a creation needing to be perfect. It encourages children to create (i.e., draw, write) without focusing on getting something “right” by showing the value of imperfection (“ish”). It can also start a conversation about how the exact same creation can be criticized by one person and loved by another, so one shouldn’t put too much weight in someone’s negative opinion.

Orion and the Dark

Wed, 23 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written and illustrated by Emma Yarlett
Recommended for: Therapists can use this book as an introduction to exposure therapy to address a fear of the dark. Caregivers and children can read this book together and talk about how Dark can be a friend. I might follow up a read of this book with a fun, dark-themed activity like making shadow puppets.

Two Shy Pandas

Sun, 13 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Julia Jarman Illustrated by Susan Varley
Recommended for: A sweet read for children who feel shy in situations where they’re expected to make new friends. Provides the perspective that there are probably lots of other children out there who feel the same way as the child reading the book and who would love to play if the child were willing to take a risk and ask.

The Worry Box

Sun, 20 Feb 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Suzanne Chiew Illustrated by Sean Julian
Recommended for: This story teaches the worry management strategy of creating a worry box (i.e., writing down one’s worries and putting them in a box) through a sweet and reassuring story of a bear with a lot of worries who visits a waterfall with his older sister and makes a new friend. Worry boxes can help children build awareness of their worry thoughts. They can also help to contain worry time to certain designated moments (e.g., a therapy session, after school) when the child’s worries can be discussed with a trusted adult.

The Color Thief

Wed, 19 Jan 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Andrew Fusek Peters and Polly Peters Illustrated by Karin Littlewood
Recommended for: This book is well-suited for a child whose parent or loved one is experiencing a depressive episode and is beginning or going through treatment. It describes the emotions that often accompany having a parent with a mood disorder, and it provides hope that a parent’s treatment will help the color return to their world. Includes hospitalization as a component of the father’s treatment.

A Kids Book About Shame

Tue, 18 Jan 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Jamie Letourneau
Recommended for: This book is best for a more mature, verbal child who has some insight into their thoughts and feelings. It takes seriously the intensity of children’s feelings of shame and helps kids to recognize and name the feeling, as well as to share about what is causing them to feel shame. This book is appropriate for a child who has experienced trauma or abuse and is subsequently feeling shame, as well as a child who struggles more generally with feelings of inadequacy or negative self-talk. (It makes a nod to shame sometimes being the result of “something we did or didn’t do,” as well as “something done to us.”)

Not Quite Narwhal

Wed, 13 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written and illustrated by Jessie Sima
Recommended for: This story celebrates finding a community of people a child relates to and can learn from (whether this be a community of kids and adults who are neurodiverse, gender diverse, or any other identity that might be different from most of their friends). At the same time, it models love and acceptance from one’s friends and family who do not share the same identity, and it concludes with the land narwhal (i.e., unicorn) protagonist of this story bringing his narwhal and unicorn communities together for a fun day of beach-sea volleyball.

The Creature of Habit

Mon, 28 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Jennifer E. Smith Illustrated by Leo Espinosa
Recommended for: This story is applicable to a child who gets anxious when they aren’t able to follow a routine, whether in the context of anxiety, OCD, autism, or anything else. It’s a really fun, adorable story with a lot of heart and a very sweet ending. The ultimate message is that although it can be scary to break out of a routine, sometimes doing things differently can present new possibilities (like discovering a new favorite food, fun experience, or good friend).

Aaron Slater, Illustrator

Wed, 27 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Andrea Beaty Illustrated by David Roberts
Recommended for: This story is a celebration of all means of storytelling (i.e., through art and verbal storytelling, in addition to reading and writing). It is an excellent book to read with any child who is struggling to read or write, regardless of diagnosis, who would benefit from a reminder that there are many ways to share one’s truth, and that with practice reading and writing will get easier too. It features a family with two moms and is written in a dyslexia-friendly font. It is available in Spanish and English.

Divorce Is the Worst

Fri, 22 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written and illustrated by Anastasia Higginbotham
Recommended for: This book is excellent for a child who is hurt and angry about their parents’ divorce and who feels invalidated by books that imply that there might be good things about it (e.g., all of the books that include a line like, now you’ll have twice as many toys!). This book validates a child’s pain, reminds them that it isn’t their fault, and encourages them to express their feelings. It is a great book for a therapist or counselor to use prior to introducing a relevant therapy activity (e.g., writing out a child’s worries on strips of paper; making a collage of their feelings) and as a way to communicate that in therapy a child doesn’t have to act like everything is okay. Parents may find this book painful, as it is a reminder of how difficult divorce can be for children, but for many kids, it could be a relief to see that their parent recognizes and accepts their feelings about the divorce. The parents in this book are never pictured, so it works for divorcing parents of all genders.

Camilla and the Big Change

Sat, 21 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Julie Dillemuth, Ph.D. Illustrated by Laura Wood
Recommended for: Children who have a hard time with change will relate to Camilla who initially struggles to adjust to a beaver dam turning her forest’s creek into a pond. With time and participation in preparing the forest community for the change, Camilla ultimately concludes that “there’s lots to like about a pond.” This story is particularly relevant to kids who love maps, as Camilla is a cartographer and maps play a big role in her adjustment to the change.

Sam’s Pet Temper

Thu, 14 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Sangeeta Bhadra Illustrated by Marion Arbona
Recommended for: This book is best for a child who is ambivalent about controlling their temper and reluctant to use anger management strategies. Perhaps they feel empowered by their temper, or it gets them what they want sometimes. This story uses the metaphor of a pet Temper to show how Temper can be fun and useful until it starts to really get in the way. It presents anger management strategies (e.g., counting to 10, deep breaths) as a way to increase a child’s power and control, rather than Temper being in charge.

Goodnight, Good Dog

Wed, 30 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Mary Lyn Ray Illustrated by Rebecca Malone
Recommended for: Young children who like dogs will enjoy this very adorable book about a dog who isn’t sleepy even though it’s bedtime. This book will help a non-sleepy child feel understood, and it encourages a child to get snug in their bed and think about the highlights of their day and what they’re looking forward to tomorrow. This book is also available in Spanish.

Just So Willow

Sun, 27 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Sara Shacter Illustrated by Stephanie Laberis
Recommended for: Young children who like things to be “just so,” especially in a neat/tidy/clean/organized manner will relate to Willow who learns (accidentally at first) that tolerating some messiness is worth it for the fun that comes with it. Therapists may find this to be a non-threatening introduction to the benefits of exposure and/or to a conversation about the pros and cons of needing things to be just so, in order to motivate a child’s openness to practicing flexibility.

The Perfect Birthday Recipe

Sun, 27 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written and illustrated by Katy Hudson
Recommended for: For a child struggling with perfectionism in the context of group projects or collaborative activities with friends (perhaps they are getting mad at other kids for not doing things “right,” or maybe they feel like they always need to be in charge), this book is both validating and thought-provoking. It aligns itself with a perfectionistic child and presents the possibility that sometimes letting things be less-than-perfect ultimately results in a more perfect experience: “The decorations were wonky…and the cake was stale…It was not at all what Beaver had planned, but it was the best birthday he ever had. It was, in fact, perfect.”

The Moon Inside

Thu, 24 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Sandra V. Feder Illustrated by Aimée Sicuro
Recommended for: Children who are afraid of the dark will likely enjoy this story about stepping into the darkness and paying attention to the peaceful sights and sounds it brings. It’s a beautiful, soothing story. This book leads well into a mindfulness exercise as well as a brief introduction to exposure .

Too Shy for Show-and-Tell

Thu, 10 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Beth Bracken Illustrated by Jennifer A. Bell
Recommended for: Young children who have difficulty speaking to and/or in front of other children will feel reassured by this book that they’re not the only ones. They may also be inspired by Sam’s bravery to face their own fears and speak up in front of their peers. This book could be used to start a conversation about the potential benefits of exposure and about how the outcome of Sam’s bravery (e.g., support from his peers) was different from his fears (e.g., that they’d laugh at him).

Hector’s Favorite Place

Tue, 22 Feb 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written and illustrated by Jo Rooks
Recommended for: Ideal for introverted kids who enjoy staying home and relaxing (nothing wrong with that!) but who feel anxious when they’re expected to try new things or interact with other kids. Hector has a lot of worries that cause him to tell his friends that he’s “too busy” to hang out (in reality he’s going to take a nap or read a good book), but he ultimately realizes he’s missing out on fun things and braves his worries to join his friends. Good introduction to the techniques of exposure and visualization .

Negative Cat

Tue, 26 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written and illustrated by Sophie Blackall
Recommended for: This is a sweet, legitimately funny story about a grumpy rescue cat and a boy who doesn’t give up on him. It’s also a story about valuing the act of reading, no matter how one reads (slowly, quickly, out loud, etc.). The main character states that he has trouble with reading and that “words only make sense when I read them out loud slowly,” but no specific diagnoses are given, so this book could be a fun read for any child who is currently feeling challenged by reading. Lovers of grumpy cats and quirky rescue pets will particularly enjoy this book.

When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree

Sun, 22 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Jamie L.B. Deenihan Illustrated by Lorraine Rocha
Recommended for: This book is super funny and adorable, and it delivers the message that being open-minded in the face of disappointment can lead to unimagined possibilities. It goes deeper than this, though. The story ends with the little girl using the money she earns from her lemonade stand (yes, life gave her lemons and she made lemonade) to buy plants for a community garden rather than the robot dog she initially wanted. This could be an entry into conversations about money-related values and about building community. This book, along with its companion book When Grandpa Gives You a Toolbox , is available in English and Spanish.

Allie All Along

Thu, 14 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written and illustrated by Sarah Lynne Reul
Recommended for: This book is a good introduction to anger management strategies for young children. An older brother helps his younger sister to calm down from a tantrum by coaching her through different coping skills. The book doesn’t ask that a child be able to identify their thoughts or feelings or what triggered the anger outburst; rather it non-judgmentally walks a child through a series of concrete skills to use to get back to feeling like themselves (e.g., squeezing a stuffed animal, pretending to blow out candles, counting backwards from 10).

Penelope Perfect

Sun, 27 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Shannon Anderson Illustrated by Katie Kath
Recommended for: Children who get stuck in perfectionism will likely benefit from this book’s reminder that imperfection, although scary at first, can be freeing. Kids with super high standards for themselves or who get anxious when things don’t go according to plan may find relief in the balance Penelope strikes when she lets herself “just be Penelope” rather than Penelope Perfect.

Thunder Cake

Thu, 24 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written and illustrated by Patricia Polacco
Recommended for: A sweet book to read with a child who is afraid of loud thunderclaps. It teaches children to count the seconds between a lightning flash and a thunderbolt as the storm approaches, and it reminds children that they can be scared and still be brave. Do not read this book with a child if you aren’t open to baking a cake with a frightened child during the next thunderstorm. It’s just about non-optional.

Worry Says What

Thu, 03 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Allison Edwards Illustrated by Ayesha L. Rubio
Recommended for: Introduces the concept of a Worry Monster to help children start to identify their worries and recognize that they probably aren’t the truth. Helps a child to start challenging their worries with self-affirmations and engagement in feared activities. The Worry Monster intervention is widely used by therapists to help children to address worries. Children who have some insight into their worries (and can put them into words) will likely benefit from reading this book.

Shame Mud

Sun, 16 Jan 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Jamie Jensen Illustrated by Dustin Baird
Recommended for: Children who are burdened by self-criticism after they make mistakes will likely benefit from this story’s description of shame and the reminder that mistakes don’t define their self-worth. It provides a lovely model of a mother joining her child in his emotional pain and then helping him to gently challenge his shaming self-talk.

Emily’s Blue Period

Mon, 27 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Cathleen Daly Illustrated by Lisa Brown
Recommended for: This is a funny, touching book that portrays a creative way for children to mourn and make peace with having a family that spans multiple homes. This book is best read with children after divorce has already been explained and a separation initiated. This book is also a good fit for therapists who want to engage their clients with divorced parents in a relevant therapeutic art project–either related to a “blue period” or a collage.

The Awfulizer

Sat, 15 Jan 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Kristin Maher Illustrated by Robert Dunn
Recommended for: Great to read with a child who has a lot of negative self-talk who will benefit from learning to challenge these thoughts. This book pulls for kids to draw their own versions of the Awfulizer and to start thinking about what lies their Awfulizer is telling them about themselves.

Catching Thoughts

Mon, 28 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Bonnie Clark Illustrated by Summer Macon
Recommended for: This book is the only one that I’ve found that specifically addresses intrusive thoughts, which some children experience as their primary symptom of OCD (as in “Pure O” OCD). Using a visual metaphor of thoughts as different colored balloons, it validates how ineffective it is to try avoid an unwanted thought, and it encourages children to look directly at a thought in order to recognize that perhaps it’s not as big as a child feared. It veers from there to encouraging a child to “catch” other types of thoughts instead (lovely thoughts, calm thoughts, true thoughts). I have a few reservations about the way that the book talks about these thoughts (they’re labeled “good thoughts”), but with a thoughtful discussion, this book presents a helpful exercise to take the fear out of intrusive thoughts and to help a child to practice a mindfulness exercise of choosing which thoughts to catch and which to let go.

Two Homes

Thu, 21 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Claire Masurel Illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton
Recommended for: This story is simple and soothing and provides a positive yet realistic example of what it might be like for a child to have two homes. This book would be best read with a child after a separation or divorce has already been explained and a move to two homes is imminent. This book could also help to normalize having two homes for a child whose parents have already separated or who have never lived together.

When Grandpa Gives You a Toolbox

Sun, 22 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Jamie L.B. Deenihan Illustrated by Lorraine Rocha
Recommended for: This book is refreshing and sweet, and it presents the message that an initial disappointment could lead to something bigger and better than what one had initially hoped for. It’s also a funny instruction manual for how to graciously receive a present that one does not want, and a poignant story about a grandfather ultimately enthusiastically joining in his grandson’s interest in a dollhouse (they build it with his toolbox). This book, along with its companion book When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree , is available in English and Spanish.

Roaring Mad Riley

Mon, 11 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Allison Szczecinski Illustrated by Dean Gray
Recommended for: Young children who lose their temper when something goes wrong will connect with this book and benefit from the anger-management strategies it teaches. The story normalizes and destigmatizes the feeling of anger, and it teaches several child-friendly skills to safely manage anger. Dinosaur lovers will particularly like this story.

Lions Aren’t Scared of Shots

Thu, 24 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Howard J. Bennett Illustrated by M.S. Weber
Recommended for: This book might prevent or reduce children’s fear of the doctor and/or shots by walking children through the typical components of a well-child doctor’s appointment so they feel prepared and by teaching them a visualization strategy to reduce anxiety (and pain) during a vaccination. It’s fairly cute and also quite informative. It’s great for caregivers to read with children prior to a check-up and could be an entry for therapists into a conversation about a child’s fear of shots.

Too Many Bubbles

Fri, 04 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Christine Peck and Mags DeRoma Illustrated by Mags DeRoma
Recommended for: Young children who are experiencing unwanted thoughts (worries, intrusive thoughts as in OCD) and who will benefit from learning the techniques of diaphragmatic breathing and a mindfulness exercise of noting their thoughts and gently blowing them away as they exhale.

The Pout Pout Fish and the Mad Mad Day

Tue, 12 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Deborah Diesen Illustrated by Dan Hanna
Recommended for: This fun rhyming story that’s a joy to read aloud helps children learn two anger management strategies to deal with a bad day: taking deep breaths and sharing about one’s feelings. It’s ideal for a child who needs a light touch when talking about these strategies (e.g., who might feel defensive or criticized with a more serious book).

Kalamata’s Kitchen

Sun, 06 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Sarah Thomas Illustrated by Jo Kosmides Edwards
Recommended for: This is a fun, joyful celebration of Indian cooking that works well as an introduction to mindful eating and the potential anxiety-management benefits of the technique. Kalamata is anxious about a first day at a new school, but the book is relevant to any child feeling worried about something in the future who could benefit from some pleasurable, present-moment grounding.

Saturday Is Pattyday

Thu, 21 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Lesléa Newman Illustrated by Annette Hegel
Recommended for: This book is an emotionally resonant story about a little boy whose two moms are getting divorced. One of his moms seems to have full custody (he sleeps at her house), and Frankie visits his other mom on Saturdays a.k.a. Pattydays. The story normalizes parental separation, validates feelings, and provides hope that children will stay close with both parents after a divorce, even if the custody arrangement is not 50/50.

Amaya’s Anger

Thu, 14 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Gabi Garcia Illustrated by Marta Pineda
Recommended for: This book is excellent to read with a child who is already able to label their feelings at least some of the time, and who will enjoy thinking more deeply about their emotions. It teaches children that anger is often the “crust” on top of a pie filled with other feelings that need to be noticed and expressed so that they don’t bubble up and explode. After talking with her Tia, Amaya realizes that she’s been getting angry a lot lately because she’s been feeling jealous of the attention her baby sister has been getting, so it’s particularly relevant for kids in a similar situation, but it’s certainly not limited to this scenario. The book also provides a convincing rationale for taking deep breaths and provides a nice visual for practicing this skill. It’s available in English and Spanish.

Find Your Calm

Mon, 07 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Gabi Garcia Illustrated by Marta Pineda
Recommended for: In child-friendly language, this book provides an explanation of anxiety and how it is often a false alarm, and it teaches children five mindfulness strategies to reconnect with their sense of safety and calm. This is a good fit for children who are often nervous and who have some insight into their thoughts and feelings. The strategies articulated in this book are applicable to older children and adults as well. Grown-ups with anxiety, you might like this book as much as your child (or perhaps more!).

Love Is What Makes Us a Family

Fri, 22 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written and illustrated by Julia E. Morrison and Laura Knauer
Recommended for: This book showcases a family in which a little girl’s mom and dad get divorced, and both the mom and dad start dating women. It celebrates this family constellation and provides upbeat reassurance that mommies can date mommies and daddies can date daddies. This book is best for parents who have an amicable co-parenting relationship and would feel comfortable referring to their ex-spouse as a friend.

Anh’s Anger

Thu, 14 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Gail Silver Illustrated by Christianne Kromer
Recommended for: This is a really lovely story about a boy and his grandfather that presents anger as a child’s friend who needs to be taken care of (danced with, relaxed with), rather than an enemy who needs to be controlled or conquered. For therapists, this book’s approach aligns well with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) .

Tomorrow Most Likely

Mon, 07 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Dave Eggers Illustrated by Lane Smith
Recommended for: For a child who gets stuck in worries about unknowns or unlikely bad outcomes, this book is a fun, silly way to start a conversation about what is “most likely” going to happen tomorrow and how delightful that can be.

A Tale of Two Seders

Fri, 29 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Mindy Avra Portnoy Illustrated by Valeria Cis
Recommended for: This book, written by an ordained Rabbi, is a great read for a kid with divorced parents whose family celebrates Passover. With a metaphor that families are like charoset–each different, but “tasty in its own way,” this book validates painful feelings that come with divorce but ultimately celebrates family change, including the girl’s father remarrying, and provides hope that families with divorced parents will be joyful again. This book is probably best read after a family has restabilized somewhat following a divorce.

A New Special Friend

Thu, 28 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Tamar Burris Illustrated by Mousam Banerjee
Recommended for: This book is really lovely for a parent to read to their child when their ex-partner starts dating someone new. Parents who are about to introduce their children to a new partner or who have recently introduced someone new may also find this book helpful. It reassures children that it is okay for them to like the new partner and have fun with them and that this isn’t a betrayal to their other parent (a concern many children have). It also normalizes complicated feelings that children often have when their parents start dating new partners, and it provides hope that the relationship will become a positive one for them too.

Steps and Stones

Fri, 15 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Gail Silver Illustrated by Christiane Kromer
Recommended for: This sequel to Anh’s Anger tells the story of how Anh copes with an incident of rejection by his friends at recess. The story teaches the skill of a walking meditation (i.e., walking slowly, breathing in with one step and out on the next, while counting each step) as a way to soothe one’s anger. It’s a great tool for children to have in their “emotion regulation toolkit” because it doesn’t require any special equipment. A child can use this skill on a walk to the bathroom, to a drinking fountain, or around a backyard–anywhere that they can take a couple dozen steps.

There Must Be More Than That!

Mon, 07 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written and illustrated by Shinsuke Yoshitake
Recommended for: This book is perfect for a child who has been exposed to too much news or adult talk about war, pandemics, climate change, etc. and who is now worried that the future will inevitably be bleak and terrible. It reminds children in a super fun and quirky way that nothing is inevitable and that they can use their imagination to think up alternative ways the future could unfold.

A Kids Book About Suicide

Wed, 02 Feb 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Angela N. Frazier
Recommended for: Children who have lost a loved one to suicide and are ready to talk about it. Best for kids who are verbally-oriented and craving some real talk about what they and their family have gone through. This book is the most applicable in this category to children who have lost someone they care about other than a caregiver (e.g., extended family members, teachers, etc.) to suicide.

Rafi’s Red Racing Car

Fri, 28 Jan 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written and illustrated by Louise Moir
Recommended for: Exclusively for young children who have lost a parent or other loved one to suicide. Best read after the family has had a bit of time to stabilize and reestablish safety and the child has had some time to process what has happened (i.e., not immediately after a suicide, but perhaps several weeks or months later).

Luna’s Red Hat

Wed, 26 Jan 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written and illustrated by Emmi Smid
Recommended for: Exclusively for children who have lost a loved one to suicide, or who are aware of a loved one’s attempted suicide. It reassures children that suicide is not their fault or their loved one’s but rather the result of an illness, and it models and validates the complex range of feelings that a child may be having. Best read with a child after the family has had some time to restabilize to some extent and a child is starting to have questions and express complex feelings about their loved one’s suicide (i.e., not immediately after the loss).

Virginia Wolf

Tue, 18 Jan 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Kyo Maclear Illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault
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.

A Terrible Thing Happened

Tue, 21 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Margaret M. Holmes Illustrated by Cary Pillo
Recommended for: This book is great for caregivers to read with a child prior to starting therapy or for a therapist to read with a client prior to starting trauma treatment. It really pulls for the child to share their story, so if a parent might be triggered by this (i.e., if a parent also experienced the frightening event and is going through their own trauma process), I’d recommend using this book as a set-up for therapy, rather than an at-home intervention. It is best for children who witnessed a specific frightening event (e.g., a car crash, domestic violence, a hate crime) rather than multiple, complex traumas.

Once I Was Very Very Scared

Tue, 21 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Written by Chandra Ghosh Ippen, Ph.D. Illustrated by Erich Ippen Jr.
Recommended for: This book is really great for a young child who has experienced something very frightening. It’s applicable to children who have experienced complex trauma as well as specific events (e.g., a car accident). Caregivers can read this book with their children as a way to start talking about kids’ feelings and how they can cope with them; it’s also great for therapists to read with kids prior to starting trauma treatment.