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 May 13, 2025
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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...
Big feelings
Penfold, Alexandra
Paper Book
A powerful, uplifting picture book about BIG feelings and the things we can do to see each other's point of view. From the bestselling creators of All Are Welcome I have big feelings. You have them too. How can I help? What can we do? '<...
A blue kind of day
Tomlinson, Rachel (Psychologist)
Paper Book
Coen is having a sniffling, sighing, sobbing kind of day. His family thinks they know how to cheer him up. His dad wants to go outside and play, Mom tells her funniest joke, and his little sister shares her favorite teddy. Nothing helps. But one by one, they get quiet and begin to...
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...
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...
The Whatifs
Kilgore, Emily
Paper Book
Cora is constantly worrying about everything. Because of this, the Whatifs love her. They sneak up to her and give her all kinds of doubts: big or small, silly or frightening, likely or impossible. What if my dog runs away? What if I forget my homework?...
Desi, Mami, and the never-ending worries
Mendes, Eva
Paper Book
From actress Eva Mendes comes her debut picture book Desi, Mami, and the Never-Ending Worries, the story of a little girl facing endless scary worries. "A story about overcoming fears for the whole family." -People.com Every night begins with...
Way past worried
Adelman, Hallee
Paper Book
Sometimes being worried can keep you from having fun. Brock is worried. Way past worried, with his heart thumping and his mind racing. Today is his friend Juan's superhero party and he's going all by himself. What if nobody plays with him? What if everyone...
Allergic to girls, school, and other scary things
Look, Lenore.
Paper Book
The first book in a hilarious chapter book series that tackles anxiety in a fun, kid-friendly way. Perfect for both beginning and reluctant readers, and fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid! A humorous and touching series about facing your fears and embracing new experiences--with a...
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...
I'm a psychologist
Kukla, Lauren
Paper Book
What does a therapist do every day? What character traits are essential for therapists to have? Follow therapists as they work to keep people happy and healthy. These health heroes do the important work of helping patients care for their mental health. Discover how...
Buster
Huett, Caleb Zane
CD
Buster's in big trouble. He's been dragged to Dog Court for breaking one of the most sacred of all dog rules: Never ever talk to a human, or let a human know how smart you really are. But he swears he had a good reason! The boy he's been taking care of, Tonio, needed his help in a big way. You see,...
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...
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...
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...
I am a peaceful goldfish
Chaim, Shoshana
Paper Book
For kids ages 2-6, a gentle and fun introduction to mindfulness and breath awareness. When we are overcome with emotions, our breath--and a bit of imagination--can bring us back to a peaceful place. In I Am a Peaceful Goldfish, two children learn how to settle their...
Iveliz explains it all
Arango, Andrea Beatriz
Paper Book
How do you speak up when it feels like no one is listening? In this moving novel in verse, one girl takes on seventh grade while facing mental health challenges, and must find her voice to advocate for the help and understanding she deserves. "Powerful." --Lisa Fipps, Printz Honor...

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