Mental Health Awareness Month: Fiction and Nonfiction Reads for Kids

Updated April 28, 2026
Drag items up and down to your preferred order then select the "Save Order" button.
Absolutely No Worries
Gale, Laurel
Paper Book
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...
Absolutely, positively Natty
Greenwald, Lisa
Paper Book
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...
All birds have anxiety
Hoopmann, Kathy
Paper Book
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...
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...
Breakout
Wyman, Christina
Paper Book
"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 care & keeping of you. 2, The #1 body book for older girls
Natterson, Cara
Paper Book
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...
Crocodiles Everywhere
Meza, Esteli
Paper Book
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...
Do you know me?
Scott, Libby
Paper Book
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...
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...
I feel! : a book of emotions
Medina, Juana
Paper Book
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? ...
Fifty-four things wrong with Gwendolyn Rogers
Carter, Caela
Paper Book
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,...
Giraffes can't dance
Andreae, Giles
Paper Book
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...
The girl who never made mistakes
Pett, Mark.
Paper Book
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
Growing Pangs
Ormsbee, Kathryn
Paper Book
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,...
A Guide to Grief
Imperi, Cole
Paper Book
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...
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 bug. Raina...
Henry Upside Down: Book 4
Bailey, Jenn
Paper Book
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
Here and now
Denos, Julia
Paper Book
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...
How to talk to your succulent
Persico, Zoe
Paper Book
After the loss of her mother, Adara struggles to communicate with her family about her grief. When a sympathetic ear arises in an unlikely place, Adara can finally find her words - but can she find the time to listen? A stunning graphic novel for middle-grade readers about family, friendship and...
Hummingbird's Big Trip
Karas, G Brian
Paper Book
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...
Judy Moody was in a mood. Not a good mood. A bad mood
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...
Just feel : how to be stronger, happier, healthier, and more
Chopra, Mallika
Paper Book
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...
Keep your head up
King Neil, Aliya
Paper Book
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...
Louder than hunger
Schu, John
Paper Book
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,...
Making plans for Nigel Binty
Stout, Shawn K.
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...
Meditate with me : a step-by-step mindfulness journey
Gates, Mariam
Paper Book
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...
Meditation is an open sky : mindfulness for kids
Stewart, Whitney
Ebook
Mockingbird (Mok'ing-b© rd)
Erskine, Kathryn.
Paper Book
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...
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...
Peaceful like a panda : 30 mindful moments for playtime, mealtime, bedtime-or anytime!
Willey, Kira
Paper Book
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, traveling,...
Pilar's worries
Sanchez, Victoria M.
Paper Book
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...
Pippo's Perfectly Peculiar Days
Wen, Lenny
Paper Book
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....
Rosetown
Rylant, Cynthia
Paper Book
From Newbery Medalist Cynthia Rylant comes the charming story of nine-year-old Flora Smallwood and the eventful year she spends in the quiet community of Rosetown, Indiana. For nine-year-old Flora Smallwood, Rosetown, Indiana, is full of surprises, many of the best of which...
Small Knight and the Anxiety Monster
Kasha, Manka
Paper Book
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...
Someone's gonna end up crying
Knowles, Johanna
Paper Book
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,...
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...
Time to Leave, Laverne!
Button, Lana
Paper Book
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...
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 poppies...
Wallflowers
Joy, Mackenzie
Paper Book
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,...
We Need to Talk about Death: An Important Book about Grief, Celebrations, and Love
Chavez, Sarah
Paper Book
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...
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<...
What Makes You Happy?
Tawwab, Nedra Glover
Paper Book
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...
What to do when the news scares you : a kid's guide to understanding current events
Toner, Jacqueline B.
Paper Book
This latest installment in the bestselling What To Do series tackles children's feelings of anxiety around current events and what is portrayed in the news. Scary news is an inevitable part of life. This book can support and guide efforts to help scary news seem a bit more manageable for...
Wombat Waiting
Applegate, Katherine
Paper Book
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...
Wonderful Me: A First Guide to Taking Care of Yourself
Shapiro, Nancy
Paper Book
The Worried Book
Pearlstein, Howard
Paper Book
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...
Zenguin
Smith, Danna
Paper Book
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...

Library staff! You can create and contribute to lists. Contact your catalog administrator or log in here.