I think you can find the solution to any problem if you look hard enough, and sometimes those solutions can be found in a really cool book!
I love nothing more than discovering picture books with my children that can help them with some of the problems they face today; from developing their self-confidence and (what Carol Dweck coined) a “growth mindset,” to learning to be kind to themselves and others and trying to make sense of change, loss, and pain. /p>
Our world has never been more distracting, stressful, and complex, so here are my top 10 picture books with self-help messages to help kids adjust to the world and thrive.
You are reading: Children’s books with a message
1. the hidden talent of penguins by alex latimer
Penguin’s Hidden Talent is a light-hearted modern story about a penguin who would love to enter the annual big talent show, but just can’t find his own special talent. it’s a beautiful reminder that we all have something special to give the world, only sometimes it takes a little time and good friends to help us figure it out.
2. the point of peter h reynolds
vashti says she can’t draw. his teacher thinks she can. the dot is an inspiring story about how the power of someone who believes in you (and the opportunity to see something from a different perspective) can reveal greatness. the dot helps us see that there is a creative spirit in all of us.
3. flight school by lita judge
See Also: Excellent Realistic Fiction Books for Kids – Imagination Soup
another story featuring a penguin who was “born to fly” and has the soul of an eagle but…wasn’t built to fly. With passion and determination, he pursues his dreams (despite technical difficulties) and proves that where there is a will, there is a way!
4. ashley spiers most magnificent
a “normal girl” has a wonderful idea. she is going to do “the most magnificent thing”. She knows how she will look and function, but unfortunately, it doesn’t turn out the way she planned and it’s up to her faithful canine assistant to provide the help she needs. this story is a wonderful model of the hard work and persistence required to successfully bring artistic impulses to life (which in today’s world full of instant gratification, is a valuable reminder).
5. Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae, Illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees
gerald dreads the big jungle dance every year because he can’t dance like the other animals who laugh at him and call him a fool. as he walks away feeling lonely, a cricket helps him realize that we are all different and some of us just dance to a different tune! This funny and charming story shows us the importance of compassion and the beauty of diversity.
6. the sneetches of dr seuss
“star-bellied sneetches now had star bellies. flat-bellied sneetches had none on thars.” my mother had to read me the sneetches every day when I was a child and the message is as current now as it was 40 years ago when she read it to me, that we are all the same deep down and whether you have a star or not is not important . what is really important is compassion, tolerance and accepting people who may be different from us.
7. martin baynton’s dragon island, illustrated by terri rose baynton
Norman is a dragon who (unlike all other dragons on the island) likes to “do, not break”. no matter how hard he tries to change the aggressive nature of the other dragons, he just can’t. this story is great for showing that there are some conflict situations we just can’t change and why it’s sometimes necessary to walk away from them for your own preservation.
8. cry your heart but never break by glenn ringtved, illustrated by charlotte pardi
See Also: World War II (Jeff Shaara) – Book Series In Order
one of the most deeply compassionate books I have come across on trying to come to terms with the profound sadness of loss and understanding nature’s natural laws of balance. death tenderly arrives at the children’s home one day to take away their beloved grandmother. the kids try to stop him, and he tells them a moving story to help them understand why death is natural and necessary.
9. the day the sea went out and never came back by margot sunderland, illustrated by nicky armstrong
eric is a sand dragon who loves the sea very much. when he goes off one day and never comes back, he feels like he’s lost everything and never wants to feel anything again. but one day a flower helps eric have the courage to feel all the pain of losing him and realize that his memories of the sea are like a special kind of treasure in his mind.
I have never found a book that has depicted the enormity of losing a loved one and practical ways to mourn as this book does so gently.
10. the lion and the bird by marianne dubuc
This story takes me to that magical place that exists between a great children’s book and a beautiful philosophical tale for adults. A lion finds an injured bird in his garden and nurses it back to life. They share a world of happiness together during the winter, but deep down, the lion knows that the time will come when spring will return and the bird will fly back to his flock. is a story that reminds us that when we dare to love too much, we risk great loss, but if we release love, it may return.
avril mcdonald is the author of the feel brave book series (little stories about big feelings for kids ages 4-7) and founder of www.feelbrave.com
See Also: List of Christopher Paolini Books in Order – Books Reading Order