Mental Health Awareness Month - Youth

May is Mental Health Awareness month and to help destigmatize mental illness we have created some titles to help you learn more.

Updated April 22, 2024
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All about anxiety
Lewis, Carrie (Children's author)
Paper Book
As youth anxiety levels continue to rise, this engaging guide is an essential resource for preteens looking for the skills and knowledge to help them coexist with their anxiety. Anxiety.It's an emotion that rears its head almost every day, from the normal worries and concerns that most of...
Alvin Ho : allergic to girls, school, and other scary things
Look, Lenore.
Paper Book
Here's the first book in the beloved and hilarious Alvin Ho chapter book series, which has been compared to Diary of a Wimpy Kid and is perfect for both beginning and reluctant readers. Alvin, an Asian American second grader, is afraid of everything--elevators, tunnels, girls,...
Big feelings
Penfold, Alexandra
Paper Book
The newest picture book from the creators of All Are Welcome to help children navigate BIG FEELINGS! In their bestselling picture book All Are Welcome, Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman celebrate kindness, inclusivity, and diversity. Now with Big Feelings...
A blue kind of day
Tomlinson, Rachel (Psychologist)
Paper Book
A moving picture book debut about depression, sensory awareness, and the power of listening, from psychologist and author of Teaching Kids to be Kind. Coen is having a sniffling, sighing, sobbing kind of day. His family thinks they know how to cheer him up....
Follow your breath! : a first book of mindfulness
Ritchie, Scot
Paper Book
Friends Yulee, Nick, Martin and Sally are at Pedro's house for a sleepover. Pedro is moving in a few days, and he's been feeling both sad about leaving his old house and worried he won't be happy in his new one. To try to help Pedro feel better, his mom decides to teach the five friends about...
How to become a planet
Melleby, Nicole
Paper Book
With the help of new friends and a planetarium hotline, thirteen-year-old Pluto goes on a journey of self-discovery, in this poignant story about mental health from acclaimed middle grade author Nicole Melleby. A Publishers Weekly Best Middle...
Iveliz explains it all
Arango, Andrea Beatriz
Paper Book
NEWBERY HONOR AWARD WINNER * In this timely and moving novel in verse, a preteen girl navigates seventh grade while facing mental health challenges. A hopeful, poetic story about learning to advocate for the help and understanding you deserve. "Powerful." --Lisa Fipps,...
Just roll with it
Durfey-Lavoie, Lee
Paper Book
Starting middle school is hard enough when you don't know anyone; it's even harder when you're shy. A contemporary middle-grade graphic novel for fans of Guts and Real Friends about how dealing with anxiety and OCD can affect everyday life. As long as Maggie rolls...
A Kids Book about Therapy: Kids Are Ready
Brenner, Sara
Paper Book
"Therapy is for anyone who wants to live a happy, healthy, more peaceful life. Which means...therapy is for everyone!" "In therapy, you can learn about yourself, your thoughts, your feelings, and how you connect with the world around you." ...
My mixed emotions : help your kids handle their feelings
Greenwood, Elinor
Paper Book
This thoughtful, engaging book is packed with helpful hints, tips, and techniques for helping children learn to recognize and express their emotions. Feelings can be complicated, and learning to express them is a skill that must be developed. My Mixed Emotions is here to...
Perfectly imperfect stories : meet 28 inspiring people and discover their mental health stories
Potion, Leo
Paper Book
Meet 29 icons, from pop stars to sporting heroes, and discover how they overcame a range of mental health issues, from anorexia to depression, to live inspiring lives. At a time when kids' mental health is under more pressure than ever, this book celebrates the message that it's ok not to be ok.
The science of breakable things
Keller, Tae
Paper Book
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY NPR . THE CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY . KIRKUS REVIEWS The spectacular debut novel from the Newbery Award winning author of When You Trap a Tiger. This is an uplifting story about friendship, family, and the complicated...
Sometimes Mommy Is Anxious: A Little Book about Big Feelings
Chapman, Marci
Paper Book
Sometimes our anxieties can take over any simple moment of the day. This can be worrisome through the eyes of a child. We want our children to know, even when our emotions get the best of us, they are always loved. Mental health is real health and it should not go unnoticed or silenced.Written by...
This makes me sad
Carbone, Courtney
Paper Book
If feeling blue isn't bad enough, it's even worse without your best furry friend. This Makes Me Sad follows a young boy after he accidentally lets his dog, Kit, loose from the yard. Despite his parents' attempt to find her, nothing can cheer up the boy. His favorite things, like a pretty...

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