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 17, 2024
S
Sussex County Library System (NJ)
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Healthy eating /
Llewellyn, Claire
Paper Book
'Healthy Eating' looks at why your body needs food, which foods give your body most energy, how many glasses of water you should drink every day, and which foods are best to include in a tasty, balanced diet.
How to make friends with the dark /
Glasgow, Kathleen,
Paper Book
The story of one girl's quest for clarity and forgiveness after an awful, universe-gone-mad-mistake. From the internationally bestselling author of Girl in Pieces 'Breathtaking and heartbreaking, and I loved it with all my heart.' Jennifer Niven I thought I was done with...
What happened to you? /
Catchpole, James,
Paper Book
The first ever picture book addressing how a disabled child might want to be spoken to. What happened to you? Was it a shark? A burglar? A lion? Did it fall off? Every time Joe goes out the questions are the same . . . what...
Wildoak /
Harrington, C. C.,
Paper Book
  An endangered forest. An abandoned snow leopard. A child who only feels comfortable talking to animals. When fates collide, the unbelievable can happen ... 'Put me in mind of Dodi Smith and Gerald Durrell at their very best - enchanting and thrilling in equal measure.'Piers...
The words we keep /
Stewart, Erin,
Paper Book
A beautifully realistic, relatable story about mental health and the healing powers of friendship and art, perfect for fans of Kathleen Glasgow's Girl in Pieces and Jennifer Niven's All the Bright Places. 'Gorgeous and deeply touching.' - Kathleen Glasgow, New York...
You're So Amazing!
Catchpole, James/ Catchpole, Lucy/ George, Karen (ILT)
Paper Book
Winner of the Inclusive Books for Children Picture Book Award 2024, shortlisted for the UKLA Book Awards and the LITTLE REBELS Book Award. A funny, whip-smart, friendly picture book that asks readers to imagine how othering it would feel if strangers believed they had to...

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