Children’s Books on Health Issues

Some conditions and diseases can be hard for children to understand. These children, tween, and teen books talk about many different health issues through stories. Books about tough health issues can help kids navigate through difficult emotions that surround challenging medical conditions, whether that be a temporary sickness, chronic conditions like asthma or diabetes, or serious diseases like cancer that might be affecting them, a family member or a friend. There are also books that touch upon various mental health issues such as anxiety, depression and suicide to name a few. The books on this list are available through the Sussex County Library System.

Updated December 30, 2025
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Sussex County Library System (NJ) Sussex County Library System (NJ)
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Children’s Books on Health Issues

Some conditions and diseases can be hard for children to understand. These children, tween, and teen books talk about many different health issues through stories. Books about tough health issues can help kids navigate through difficult emotions that surround challenging medical conditions, whether that be a temporary sickness, chronic conditions like asthma or diabetes, or serious diseases like cancer that might be affecting them, a family member or a friend. There are also books that touch upon various mental health issues such as anxiety, depression and suicide to name a few. The books on this list are available through the Sussex County Library System.

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Aaron Slater, illustrator /
Beaty, Andrea.
Paper Book
Aaron Slater loves listening to stories and dreams of one day writing them himself. But when it comes to reading, the letters just look like squiggles to him, and it soon becomes clear he struggles more than his peers. When his teacher asks each child in the class to write a story, Aaron can't...
Aaron Slater, illustrator
Beaty, Andrea
Paper Book
Aaron Slater loves listening to stories and dreams of one day writing them himself. But when it comes to reading, the letters just look like squiggles to him, and it soon becomes clear he struggles more than his peers. When his teacher asks each child in the class to write a story, Aaron can't...
Calm with the very hungry caterpillar /
Carle, Eric
Paper Book
This beautiful little gift book featuring The Very Hungry Caterpillar provides an easy-to-follow journey to relaxation and mindfulness, perfect for teaching kids and their families about self-care. Just stop and breathe . . . How do you feel? Join The Very Hungry...
Deer run home /
LeZotte, Ann Clare,
Paper Book
Effie is Deaf, and no one in her family speaks sign language, her language. This moving story of survival and found family, inspired by a true court case and told in verse, is perfect for fans of Wonder and Out of My Mind. * "Quietly extraordinary." --...
Dr. Seuss's sleep book.
Seuss,
Paper Book
NATIONAL BESTSELLER * Catch a case of the yawns with Dr. Seuss in this classic rhyming picture book. Bedtime has never been more fun! A yawn is quite catching, you see. Like a cough. It just takes one yawn to start other yawns off. Dr. Seuss spins a...
Honestly Elliott /
McDunn, Gillian,
Paper Book
Schneider Family Book Award: Best Middle Grade Honor Book! Highly-acclaimed author of Caterpillar Summer, Gillian McDunn explores boyhood in a funny, big-hearted story about a kid trying to find the best way to be his best self. ...
How it feels to float /
Fox, Helena,
Paper Book
A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year A Chicago Public Library Best of the Best of the Year "Profoundly moving . . . Will take your breath away." --Kathleen Glasgow, author of Girl in Pieces A stunningly gorgeous and deeply hopeful portrayal of...
Hummingbird /
Lloyd, Natalie,
Paper Book
A Schneider Family Book Award Honor Book From the bestselling author of A Snicker of Magic comes a heartfelt story about a girl who -- armed with her trusty, snazzy wheelchair -- refuses to let her brittle bone disease stand in the way of adventure Twelve...
In the blue /
Hourigan, Erin,
Paper Book
An emotional and tender award-winning picture book that accessibly explores depression within a family, through the use of color. I've always been my dad's little sunspot. But one day, his world was no longer bright and yellow--it was a deep, dark...
Lion needs a shot /
Yum, Hyewon.
Paper Book
Little lion Luka is NOT worried about a visit to the doctor. He's NOT scared of getting a shot. And he's definitely NOT a little lion anymore. R-O-A-R! His younger sister, Lulu, might be nervous for her first checkup-but no need to worry, big brother is here to set a brave example....
Louder than hunger
Schu, John
Paper Book
Party problems
Reid, C. L.
Paper Book
Emma is excited about Izzie's birthday party. But she's also nervous. Is her dress too fancy? Will she know anyone else at the party? Did she buy the right gift? Will Emma's worries ruin her chance to have fun? Find out how Emma handles her party problems in this early chapter book from the Emma...
Plant, cook, eat! :
Archer, Joe,
Paper Book
For beginners and green-thumbed foodies, this unusually all-inclusive garden-to-kitchen cookbook is part lesson in gardening and part collection of healthy, delicious, kid-friendly recipes. With vibrant photo-illustrations and clearly organized sections, discover how to plant...
Rewriting the rules : how Dr. Kathleen Friel created new possibilities for brain research and disability
Zeiger, Danna
Paper Book
When Kathleen Friel was young, she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and a doctor told her parents all the things she'd never be able to do. They left his office for good and found a new doctor. As Kathleen grew up, she found her own methods to tackle tricky tasks and make her way...
Wanda hears the stars : a blind astronomer listens to the universe
Hansen, Amy
Paper Book
A nonfiction picture book biography of astrophysicist Wanda Díaz Merced and how losing her sight didn't stop her from studying the stars. This 2026 Schneider Family Book Award winner is an inspiring true story of a woman scientist of color and a riveting, intersectional STEM read for...
What happened to you? /
Catchpole, James,
Paper Book
A Schneider Family Book Award Honor book! This accessible, funny, and groundbreaking story addresses the questions children often ask, as well as a disabled child's choice not to answer. What happened to you? Was it a shark? A burglar?...
I will never not ever eat a tomato /
Child, Lauren.
Paper Book
The creator of the acclaimed Clarice Bean, That's Me cooks up a droll and ingenious treat for picky eaters and the people who love them. Lola is a fussy eater. A very fussy eater. She won't eat her carrots (until big brother Charlie reveals that...
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https://librarian.syndetics.com/syndeticsunbound/lp/1005.1372/list/4926

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