Mental Health Awareness Month: Fiction and Nonfiction Reads for KidsUnpublished

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With an emergency parachute in her pocket and zombie self-defense skills under her belt, Emma is prepared for any catastrophe . . . so why does she still feel afraid? This reassuring social-emotional picture book for young readers ages 4 - 8 shows kids that they are bigger than their...

Natty deals with moving after her mom's departure by pulling a "Ted Lasso" and starting a pep squad in this standalone middle-grade novel about friendship and toxic positivity by the author of TBH and the Friendship List series. When Natty's mom kind of takes a break from her dad...

Life as a bird can be stressful! From worrying about airplanes, windows, and getting enough worms to eat, it is clear that birds can be anxious beings. Through a light-touch, quizzical depiction of bird behaviour, All Birds Have Anxiety uses colourful images and astute explanations to...

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...

"The next great middle grade author." --Colby Sharp, literacy advocate From the USA Today-bestselling author of Jawbreaker and Slouch, Breakout is a fresh and funny middle-grade novel about a girl with chronic acne figuring out how to feel good...

The bestselling body book for girls ages 10 and up, now updated! Book 2 in our best-selling body book series for girls just got even better! With all-new illustrations and updated content, this title features tips, how-tos, and facts from the experts. This thoughtful advice book...

Louie sees a shark at the beach, and that's that. Now everywhere he goes he's convinced he'll be eaten by a shark. A humorous, heartwarming picture book helping kids overcome fears and anxiety thanks to Grandpa's wisdom, playful storytelling, and a surprise ending that delights and...

Like The Rabbit Listened and The Color Monster, this bighearted, stunningly illustrated book helps children to acknowledge and confront their most difficult emotions. After a girl's best friend moves away, she starts seeing two creatures everywhere she goes: a gray...

In this sequel to Can You See Me?, Libby Scott and Rebecca Westcott return with another heartwarming and eye-opening story of friendship and middle school, inspired by Libby's own experiences of autism. Everyone else in Tally's grade seems excited for their class trip... And...

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...

Pura Belpré Award-winning author-illustrator Juana Medina helps young readers to identify how they feel with bold, colorful illustrations and simple text in this paper-over-board picture book, the third book in the I WILL! series. Do you feel happy? Sad? Calm? Shy? Brave? Proud? ...

Why does nervousness make us feel like we have butterflies in our belly and embarrassment cause a deep blush to spread across our face? While we know our brains are directly connected to our emotions, scientists are now discovering more about how other parts of our bodies are involved in feeling our...

From the critically acclaimed author of the ALA Notable and Charlotte Huck Honor Book Forever, or a Long, Long Time comes a moving own-voices story that shines a light on how one girl's learning differences are neither right nor wrong...just perfectly individual. For fans of Alyson Gerber,...

This historical novel about a Black orphan girl grappling for a solid place in Civil War-era New York City will inspire tweens to dream big, rise above society's limitations, and find their way by being a place for others to belong. Against her wishes, Florence finds herself at the Colored...

That sweaty, gut-clenching, suffocating, racing-heart feeling . . .  . . . That dull, never-ending sense that something's wrong. What is it? Anxiety. And it affects millions of young North Americans today. When anxiety has you in its grip, it can seem impossible to rationalize...

Readers will reach to the sky in this important book, which introduces children to yoga using reader-friendly text and clear, step-by-step instructions. From breathing techniques and meditation to yoga poses and flows, readers can explore the mind-and-body benefits of practicing yoga...

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...

Every student, teacher, and perfectionist needs to read this book about learning and growing from your mistakes! The perfect introduction to growth mindset, The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes is- A growth mindset book for kids A teacher must-have for classrooms...

AN NPR BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR * A PARENTS MAGAZINE BEST BOOK Inspired by a true story! Eleven-year old homeschooled Katie has always felt different . . . and now she can't stop worrying.  Introducing an irresistibly relatable graphic novel about friendship,...

This book is the wise and compassionate friend you need when you experience grief and loss. Everyone faces loss, and everyone grieves. But grief is as unique as a thumbprint - not everyone grieves the same losses or in the same way. This can feel lonely and isolating, especially when people don't...

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 bug. Raina...

The fourth book in the Schneider Family Award and Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor-winning series that follows Henry, a boy on the autism spectrum, as he navigates friendships, classroom conundrums, and the ups and downs of daily life as a sweet and sensitiv

From the team behind Ezra Jack Keats Honor winner Windows comes Here and Now. At turns wise and playful, this accessible, beautifully illustrated read soothes like a modern Goodnight Moon.  Here and now . . . You may be reading a book. But...

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...

This triumphant story about a nervous hummingbird who faces his fears of migrating will remind readers that even the biggest challenges can be overcome through perseverance, courage, and self-confidence. Hummingbirds love summertime, flying and having fun! But when the days get...

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...

From the author of Just Breathe, Mallika Chopra, daughter of Deepak Chopra, comes a full-color guide empowering kids ages 8-12 to problem solve, harness inner strength, and gain grit and emotional awareness. Featuring full-color illustrations, Just Feel is an...

After reading this new book about Just Grace you will know how to . . . 1. turn your favorite potato chips into a tasty chipwich. 2. draw and fold up your very own zine, which is a cool little book made from only one piece of paper. 3. look for and use the...

Teach little ones that it's okay to have a bad day in this brightly illustrated, gently affirmative picture book about keeping our heads up and letting things pass. When a child wakes up late one day, it's only the first in a series of things to go terribly awry. But the people...

A girl learns to stand up for herself and embrace the true meaning of home against the backdrop of the Montana wilderness in this heartfelt novel in verse by acclaimed author Joy McCullough. A kestrel is the smallest bird of prey in North America. ...

"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." ...

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...

A New York Times bestseller! A Schneider Family Book Award Honor Book "Every so often a book comes along that is so brave and necessary, it extends a lifeline when it's needed most. This is one of those books." --Katherine Applegate, author of the Newbery Medal-winning,...

A heartwarming middle grade novel about figuring out who you are when it seems like everyone else has already decided for you, for fans of Erin Entrada Kelly and Gary D. Schmidt. Nigel Binty has spent sixth grade trying to stick to a plan. His problem is the plan keeps changing...

This accessible and fun guide to meditation and mindfulness is the perfect introduction for young children Meditation does a body good, and can even help kids as young as four or five. This practical guide is gentle, clear, and a pleasure to use. Kids will learn how to focus on their...

Describes nine simple meditation exercises to help kids find focus, manage stress, and face challenges. Feeling mindful is feeling good! You know when you're having a bad day, you have that wobbly feeling inside and nothing seems to go right? Find a quiet...

In Caitlin's world, everything is black or white. Things are good or bad. Anything in between is confusing. That's the stuff Caitlin's older brother, Devon, has always explained. But now Devon's dead and Dad is no help at all. Caitlin wants to get over it, but as an eleven-year-old girl with...

The Not-So-Friendly Friend is a recipient of the prestigious Gold Award from Mom's Choice Awards® How can I help my child deal with a bully? What do I teach them about handling an on-again-off-again, not-so-friendly friend? My advice to "just be kind" isn't helping,...

Seasonal work at the fairgrounds for most summers means Seraphina, James, Avory, and Cassi are all experienced in fair life. Beloved traditions keep the best friends plenty busy. For them, this is more than just a summer vacation in Knox County, Maine. These are the best months of the year. This...

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...

From the author of BREATHE LIKE A BEAR comes a new collection of Mindful Moments! These easy-to-follow exercises help kids calmly and mindfully navigate their day, from sunrise to sunset. With sections dedicated to key activities in a child's routine--waking up,...

Pilar worries sometimes, but she doesn't let it get in the way of doing the things she loves. Pilar loves to dance. She pliés while brushing her teeth. She leaps when hurrying to ballet class. But when tryouts for her favorite ballet are held, Pilar is...

Unexpected--and decidedly peculiar--events interrupt Pippo's familiar routine in this thrilling and reassuring story about finding the inner resources to weather uncertainty and meet unanticipated challenges in topsy-turvy times.  Tick-tick, gurgle-glug, clickety-clack....

For nine-year-old Flora Smallwood, Rosetown, Indiana, is full of surprises, many of the best of which happen at the Wing and a Chair Used Book Shop, where she loves to read vintage children's books after school in the faded purple chair by the window. But lately, those surprises haven't...

Sarah Ponakey continues to learn more about her Cree culture and language with the help of the people--and magical animals--around her in the third and final book in the series. Spring break has finally arrived, and Sarah Ponakey is so happy that her kôhkom has come to stay with her while...

An adorable, heartfelt picture book debut from Manka Kasha, Small Knight and the Anxiety Monster follows the magical quest of a knight finding the courage to confront an ever growing monster. The worry kept growing day by day, until... one morning Small Knight woke...

In this authentic and heartfelt middle-grade novel, Maple uses her artwork to help sort through sibling relationships, school drama, and her parents' increasingly fraught marriage. Ten-year-old Maple can't wait for summer: No more math! Adventures with her friends! Best of all,...

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...

A young child learns how to weather her storm of emotions When Laverne attends story time at the library or a playdate at the park, she arrives like a ray of sunshine. But when it's time to leave, she twists into a thunderstorm and needs to be carried away and brought straight to her room...

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...

People call you a wallflower. Sometimes they call you shy. Sometimes they call you quiet, or maybe even scared. People think these are bad things, because sometimes they are LOUD. But you are happy just the way you are. And maybe you don't need to learn to be loud,...

Discover how cultures around the world honor the dead in this beautifully illustrated guide to help grieving children understand death. Death is an important part of life, and yet it is one of the hardest things to talk about--for adults as well as children. Historian and...

"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<...

By the influential relationship therapist and bestselling author of Set Boundaries, Find Peace, this story will help young kids learn to express their own needs rather than people-pleasing. Avery loves to make people happy-so much so that she often ignores her own wants...

Can kids feel safe when the news feels scary? Yes--and this workbook helps them understand what's going on and how to cope. From natural disasters and climate change to violence and conflict, today's news can be overwhelming--especially for kids. But scary headlines don't have to lead to...

An Indie Next pick! From the Newbery Award-winning, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The One and Only Ivan and Odder comes a stunning middle grade standalone novel-in-verse about compassion, resilience, and surprising friendships, following a dog named...

A hilariously honest and heartwarming story about anxiety, self-doubt, and the power of positive thinking, The Worried Book shows young readers that it's OK to worry--what matters is how we respond. The Worried Book is having a bit of a meltdown. "Hi, I can't...

Learn about mindfulness and calm with the help of ZENGUIN! From New York Times bestselling illustrator Sydney Hanson and Danna Smith comes a sweet and calming picture book that helps instill life skills in young readers with basic, age...