16 Kids' Books About Mental Health And Wellness
With childhood anxiety and other mental health concerns on the rise, it is now more important than ever for families to discuss mental wellness. Mental health and wellness are important for children’s overall well-being. Children’s books offer many opportunities to address mental and emotional challenges. These books also offer tools for children to understand and cope with emotions and stress.
Here are some books that can open the door to conversations around mental health and wellness with young children.

Shady Baby Feels: A First Book of Emotions
Author: Gabrielle Union-Wade & Dwayne Wade Jr.
Illustrator: Tara Nicole Whitaker
Shady Baby is baking cupcakes, and she has some feelings about the process. From excitement or boredom, Shady Baby expresses nine common emotions.

A Morning With Grandpa
Author: Sylvia Liu
Illustrator: Christina Forshay
In this sweet, slice-of-life story, a curious and active Asian American girl spends the day learning tai chi from her grandfather, and in turn tries to teach him how to do yoga.

Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away
Author: Meg Medina
Illustrator: Sonia Sanchez
Evelyn Del Rey is Daniela’s best friend. They do everything together and even live in twin apartments across the street from each other: Daniela with her mami and hamster, and Evelyn with her mami, papi, and cat. But not after today–not after Evelyn moves away.

I Am Enough
Author: Grace Byers
Illustrator: Keturah A. Bobo
We are all here for a purpose. We are more than enough. We just need to believe it.

I Am Every Good Thing
Author: Derrick Barnes
Illustrator: Gordon C. Jones
The confident Black narrator of this book is proud of everything that makes him who he is. He’s got big plans and no doubt he’ll see them through–as he’s creative, adventurous, smart, funny, and a good friend. Sometimes he falls, but he always gets back up. And other times he’s afraid because he’s so often misunderstood and called what he is not.

I Am Golden
Author: Eva Chen
Illustrator: Sophie Diao
This joyful and lyrical picture book from New York Times bestselling author Eva Chen and illustrator Sophie Diao is a moving ode to the immigrant experience, as well as a manifesto of self-love for Chinese American children.

I Am Who I Am: The ABCs of Positive Affirmations
Author: Jacqueline Y. Lynch
illustrator: Elena Sanchez
I Am Who I Am uses the letters of the alphabet to affirm and empower young readers. These powerful affirmations will help to build your child’s self-esteem and transform their view of self.

I Am Smart, I Am Blessed, I Can Do Anything
Author: Alissa Holder & Zulekha Holder-Young
Illustrator: Nneka Myers
It’s a new day and Ayaan has woken up on the wrong side of the bed, where nothing feels quite right. What if he doesn’t know the answer at school? What if he messes up? But as he sets out that morning, all it takes is a few reminders from his mom and some friends in the neighborhood to remind him that a new day is a good day.

My Cold Plum Lemon Pie Bluesy Mood
Author: Tameka Fryer Brown
Illustrator: Shane W. Evans
What color is your mood? On a really good day, Jamie feels purple like the first bite of a juicy cold plum. And with a crayon in his hand, Jamie eases into a green feeling–like a dragon dancing through a jungle made of green jello. But when his brothers push him around and make fun of his drawings, Jamie feels like a dark gray storm brewing. What will it take to put Jamie back in a bright-feeling mood?

The Amazingly Awesome Amani Takes on Jitters & Fears
Author: Jamiyl & Tracy-Ann Samuels
Illustrator: Nidhom
This is the story of a boy who is faced with the challenge of adapting to a new environment and finding the courage to deal with his feelings head-on. This is a tale about CHANGE and how it affects the mind of an amazing boy.

The Many Colors of Harpreet Singh
Author: Supriya Kelkar
Illustrator: Alea Marley
Harpreet Singh loves his colors–but when his family moves to a new city, everything just feels gray. Can he find a way to make life bright again?

I Am Born to be Awesome!
Author: Mechal Renee Roe
It’s a bright, joyful easy reader that will have boys everywhere saying “I am born to be awesome!”

I Love Being Me!
Author: Mechal Renee Roe
Celebrate diversity with this bright, joyful level 1 Step Into Reading book that will have girls everywhere repeating the book’s chorus: “I love being me!”

Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School and Other Scary Things
Author: Lenore Look
Illustrator: LeUyen Pham
A humorous and touching series about facing your fears and embracing new experiences–with a truly unforgettable character.

Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero
Author: Kelly J. Baptiste
Isaiah is now the big man of the house. But it’s a lot harder than his dad made it look. His little sister, Charlie, asks too many questions, and Mama’s gone totally silent.
Good thing Isaiah can count on his best friend, Sneaky, who always has a scheme for getting around the rules. Plus, his classmate Angel has a few good ideas of her own–once she stops hassling Isaiah.
And when things get really tough, there’s Daddy’s journal, filled with stories about the amazing Isaiah Dunn, a superhero who gets his powers from beans and rice. Isaiah wishes his dad’s tales were real. He could use those powers right about now!

Stella Diaz Has Something to Say
Author: Angela Dominguez
Stella Díaz loves marine animals, especially her betta fish, Pancho. But Stella Díaz is not a betta fish. Betta fish like to be alone, while Stella loves spending time with her mom and brother and her best friend Jenny. Trouble is, Jenny is in another class this year, and Stella feels very lonely.
Anything catch your eye? Let these be a starting point for stories centered in the Muslim experience. Let us know your favorites.
Tag us on social media reading your favorites.
Instagram: @storiesofacolorfulwrld
TIKTOK: @storiesofacolorfulworld