Best Children’s Books for Mental Health

As a former elementary school counselor, one of my favorite ways to teach mental health skills to my K-5 students was through books. Stories have a magical way of opening up conversations about feelings, empathy, and resilience, making them perfect tools for parents aiming to support their children's emotional development.

In this post, I've compiled a list of all the children's books I had in my counseling library, categorized by themes that promote hope, growth mindset, kindness, emotional intelligence, and self-esteem. Not only are these books student approved, but they are also highly recommended by my own kids. Not only are they entertaining, but they also provide invaluable lessons to help kids learn about themselves and the world around them.

Books About Gratitude

1. The Thank You Book by Mo Willems

2. At the End of the Day by Lisl H. Detlefsen

3. Thank You Omu by Oge Mora

4. Grateful: A Song of Giving Thanks by John Bucchino

5. Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson

6. The Secret of Saying Thanks by Douglas Wood

7. The Thankful Book by Todd Parr

8. Good People Everywhere by Linea Gillen

9. Apple Cake: A Gratitude Book by Dawn Casey

Books About Hope

1. On That Day: A Book of Hope for Children by Andrea Patel

2. Little Mole Finds Hope by Glenys Nellist

Books About Growth Mindset

1. Beautiful Oops by Barney Saltzberg

2. The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes by Mark Pett

3. The Magical Yet by Angela DiTerlizzi

4. Your Fantastic Elastic Brain by JoAnn Deak

5. The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds

6. Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall

Books About Kindness & Inclusion

1. The Giving Tree- By Shel Silverstein

2. Thank You Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco

3. Because Amelia Smiled by David Ezra Stein

4. Ordinary Mary’s Extraordinary Deed by Emily Pearson

5. Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud

6. Be a Friend by Salina Yoon

7. Peanut Butter and Cupcake by Terry Border

8. The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson

9. The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig

10. The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes

11. The Visitor by Antje Damm

12. Those Pesky Rabbits by Cierra Flood

13. What if Everybody Did That by Ellen Javernick

Books About Emotional Intelligence

1. Some Days I Flip My LId: Learning to be a Calm and Cool Kid by Kellie Doyle Bailey

2. Wilma Jean the Worry Machine by Julie Cook

3. What’s Worrying You? by Molly Potter

Books About Self-Esteem and Confidence

1. It’s Okay to be Different by Todd Parr

2. Be Who You Are- by Todd Parr

3. Dear Girl by Amy Kraus Rosenthal

4. I Love My Hair by Natashia Anastasia Tarpley

5. Stephanie’s Ponytail by Robert Munsch

6. Same, Same but Different by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw

7. Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun by Maria Dismondy

8. Spoon by Amy Krause Rosenthal

9. Something Beautiful by Sharon Dennis Wyeth

Books About Bullying Prevention

1. Say Something by Peggy Moss

2. The Recess Queen by Alexis O’Neil

3. Enemy Pie by Derek Munson

4. The Juice Box Bully by Bob Sornson

5. Oliver Button is a Sissy by Tomie DePaola

6. One by Kathryn Otoshi

Books About the Power of Choices

1. What Should Danny Do? by Adir Levy

2. Milo and the Magical Stones by Marcus Pfister

Why These Books Matter

Each of these themes is essential for developing emotional intelligence in our little ones. When I read these books to my students and my own kids, I love seeing how engaged they became. They often share their thoughts and feelings about the characters, which opens the door to meaningful discussions about their own experiences.

Join the Journey!

I hope these recommendations inspire you to share these wonderful stories with your children. They can be a fantastic starting point for conversations about mental health and emotional well-being.

For more tips and resources on raising resilient and emotionally intelligent kids, subscribe to my newsletter! Let’s work together to empower our children with the skills they need to thrive.