
Jack’s Worry
Ages: 4-8 years
Most of us can relate to the first-time jitters! This is a wonderful book that takes you on Jack’s journey battling a growing worry the morning of his first trumpet concert. This book is particularly great for kids that have a hard time trying new things or are slow to warm up in new environments.

Leonardo, the Terrible Monster
Ages: 3-8 years
Such a cute one about a monster who is pretty terrible at being a “monster” because he cannot scare people! Once he does, he realizes it’s not all that it's cut out to be and he’d rather be a good friend. This is the same author as the Elephant + Piggie Series.

The Lion Inside
Ages: 3-5 years
Even the smallest of beings have an inner lion inside their hearts, and even the largest of beings can be scared. This is a GREAT book about learning to not judge a book by it’s cover but also about the power of courage lies within every single person. I love the message of this story so much!

Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon
Ages: 4-8 years
This book encompasses themes of not judging a book by its cover, being bullied, feeling different, self-confidence, and personal power. This charming story will resonate with any child who has been made fun of or fears what other people think. I love this book for every child, regardless of whether they have personally experienced bullying or not.

Too Many Bubbles: A Story about Mindfulness
Ages: 4-8 years
This story teaches social emotional skills like mindfulness, empathy, bravery, and creativity by following Izzy and her thought bubbles that just won’t seem to go away (and cast a shadow over her day). This is a great intro into mindfulness for little ones!

The Good Egg
Ages: 4-8 years
Being perfect can be so HARD! As the other eggs in the dozen behave badly, the good egg starts to crack from all the pressure of feeling like he has to be perfect. This is an adorable read on accepting our humanness and our imperfections, which we are not alone in. John’s entire series is adorable--you will find many of them on these lists!

The Invisible String
Ages: 4-8 years
One of my favorite finds to date! This book can be used for children dealing with all types of loss, grief, and separation anxiety. In this book, the children are afraid to go to sleep alone and their mother reassures them that they are always connected to their loved ones with an invisible string, no matter how close or how far that person (or pet) may be. For such a complicated subject, it is written in such a positive and heartwarming way.

Catching Thoughts
Ages: 4-8 years
For every child who has been weighed down by sadness or anxiety, this story teaches kids how to acknowledge unwanted thoughts, show them compassion, then actively replace them with positive thoughts instead. Catching Thoughts is a quiet, thoughtful story that teaches readers how to practice mindfulness, focusing on thoughts that bring beauty, joy, and calm into their lives

Once I Was Very Very Scared
Ages: 4-10 years
This book, written by a psychologist, is a wonderful book for any child who has experienced trauma. It talks about different feelings and responses that we can have after trauma, and gives some ideas for coping strategies. It highlights the importance of talking about our feelings and what happened. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.