Mental Health Awareness Month: Fiction and Nonfiction Reads for Kids

Updated April 28, 2026
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Bookie & Cookie Turn the Page
Gomez, Blanca
Paper Book
What does the future hold for these two friends? They have lots of guesses that are a very funny mix of excitement and anxiety. But the only way to know for sure is to actually turn the page! In this companion to Bookie & Cookie, the friends find themselves on a blank page...
Don't worry, Little Crab
Haughton, Chris
Paper Book
From the award-winning creator of Shh! We Have a Plan comes a vibrantly colorful story about mustering the courage to try something new. Little Crab and Very Big Crab live in a tiny rock pool near the sea. Today they're going for a dip in the big ocean. "This is going to...
Giraffes can't dance
Andreae, Giles
CD
Gerald the giraffe longs to dance but his knees seem to buckle whenever he tries to twirl. Will he learn to sway to his own sweet tune? Find out in this gentle ode to dancing to the beat of your own drum. Giraffes Can't Dance is a touching tale of Gerald the giraffe, who...
Guts
Telgemeier, Raina
Paper Book
A true story from Raina Telgemeier, the #1 New York Times bestselling, multiple Eisner Award-winning author of Smile, Sisters, Drama, and Ghosts! Raina wakes up one night with a terrible upset stomach. Her mom has one, too, so it's probably just a...
How to talk to your succulent
Persico, Zoe
Paper Book
Eleven-year-old Adara and her dad are moving from California to the cold and flat lands of Michigan... and it sucks. After Mom's recent passing, it seems way too soon. Talking to Dad has always been harder than with Mom, but now it's like walking on eggshells. And why did Dad bring so many of Mom's...
Judy Moody
McDonald, Megan.
Paper Book
Any kid who's ever been in a bad mood will relate to the feisty, funny, ever-changing Judy Moody. To start, Judy Moody doesn't have high hopes for third grade. Her new desk won't have an armadillo sticker with her name on it. Her new classroom will not have a porcupine named...
Keep your head up
King Neil, Aliya
Paper Book
A kids book about anxiety
Szabo, Ross
Paper Book
An honest exploration of the symptoms of anxiety and what learning to manage it can look like. This is a book about anxiety. Having anxiety doesn't just mean you feel nervous sometimes or need to calm down. It means having an uncontrollable feeling that gets in the way of what...
Louder than hunger
Schu, John
Paper Book
A Schneider Family Book Award Honor Book "This heart-wrenching verse novel--inspired by the author's experiences . . . is an unflinching depiction of resistance and disordered eating recovery." --Publishers Weekly (starred review) Jake volunteers at a...
Big sky mind
Stewart, Whitney
Paper Book
You know when you're having a really bad day and nothing seems to go right? You feel scared, sad and mad all at the same time, and you don't know what to do. This little book about mindfulness can help you. It will teach you how to mediate and grow your heart. It will help you create space around...
Out of a Jar
Marcero, Deborah
Paper Book
This highly anticipated follow-up to the critically acclaimed and bestselling picture book In a Jar stars one little bunny dealing with some very big feelings. Llewellyn does not like to feel afraid or sad, angry, lonely, or embarrassed. And so he comes up with a brilliant...
The summer of June
Sumner, Jamie
Paper Book
From the acclaimed author of Tune It Out and Roll with It comes a "needed, hopeful" (Booklist) middle grade book about a young girl who sets out to overcome her anxiety over the course of one life-changing summer. Twelve-year-old June Delancey is kicking...
Wallflower: A Graphic Novel
Omar Ata, Iasmin
Paper Book
From the author of the critically acclaimed Nayra and the Djinn comes a stunning graphic novel about a girl who must uncover the truth behind her strange visions. For as long as Marlena can remember, she has seen flowers growing on everyone she meets: personalized...
Weirdo
Weaver, Tony, Jr
Paper Book
"A touching story of belonging." -- Publisher's Weekly, starred review"Honest, hopeful.." --Kirkus, starred review A Kirkus Best Book of the YearA School Library Journal Best Book of the Year A Publishers Weekly<...
Wombat Waiting
Applegate, Katherine.
Paper Book
From the Newbery Award-winning, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The One and Only Ivan and Odder comes a stunning new middle grade standalone novel about compassion, resilience, and surprising friendships, following a dog named Wombat in the aftermath of a catastrophic fire.
Wonderful me : a first guide to taking care of yourself
Shapiro, Nancy E. K.
Paper Book
Self-care is not just for grown-ups! Wonderful Me is a fun guide for children, featuring simple ways they can care for their mental, physical and social wellbeing.

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