• Topic Guide
  • Staff-Created List

Diversity Reads Kids - Mental Health

Diversity Reads is based on the Read Woke reading challenge, started by Cecily Lewis. Books give us a fantastic opportunity to explore beyond our lived experience. Diversity Reads challenges you to discover the world from different perspectives, in the hope that learning about and celebrating our differences will bring us closer together. Dealing with mental health is important for all ages. With children, finding something they can relate to and connect with can help facilitate the road to recovery and understanding.

20 items

  • Metaphors and humorous illustrations make difficult concepts easy to understand, while prompts to draw and write help children to master new skills related to reducing anxiety. Engaging, encouraging, and easy to follow, this book educates,…
    BookAmerican Psychological Association 2025
  • Spending time with her dad makes Mandeep's days shine. They have cha parties, perform Bhangra shows, and best of all, they write jokes together in her favorite unicorn journal. But when Dad starts a job as a truck driver, he starts being…
    Picture BookToronto : Annick Press, 2024. — JP Brar
  • Sleep

    a Kid's Guide to the Science of Slumber

    Bjazevich, Wendy
    While experts still don't have all the answers, one fact they do know for certain is that sleep is not only important, it is essential to life! Physical, mental, and emotional health are all impacted by sleep. This book outlines everything…
    Book[Fresno, California] : Bushel & Peck Books, 2024. — J 612.821 Bja 2024
  • As she wakes up one dull morning, Kaiah feels as cold and grey as the day. She longs to be with her grandmother again. Kaiah's life doesn't feel right without her. But through Kaiah's treasured bead box -- and the beauty it holds -- she is…
    Picture BookToronto, ON : Kids Can Press, 2024. — JP Flore
  • Featuring a fun and gentle monster as a guide, this newest installment in the bestselling series teaches kids and parents practical tips for self-soothing and emotion regulation.
    Picture BookNew York : Little, Brown and Company, 2024. — JP Llena
  • The author, with her knack for making science easy to understand, explains different types of thinkers and how all minds need to work together to create solutions to help solve real-world problems.
    BookNew York : Philomel, 2023. — J 153.42 Gra 2023
  • Being You is a collection of uplifting poems for children to help build confidence and courage, overcome worries, and spread kindness.
    BookGlasgow, [Scotland] : Collins, 2023. — J 821.92 Thomp 2023
  • Filled with practical advice and strategies, So Long, Stress! helps readers understand what stress is and gives them the tools they need to face situations that cause anxiety.
    BookToronto : Scholastic Canada Ltd., 2023. — J 155.9042 Bec 2023
  • Butterfly Wings

    a Hopeful Story About Climate Anxiety

    Larochelle, Samuel, 1986-
    Through thoughtful words and gorgeous illustrations, this compassionate story confronts the very real challenge of climate anxiety in a way that is accessible to young readers. Butterfly Wings provides children with a way to understand…
    BookVancouver : Greystone Kids, 2023. — J FIC Laroc
  • Manny's Mood Clouds

    a Story About Moods and Mood Disorders

    Ubidia, Lourdes
    Brothers Elijah and Manny find out about mood disorders, and Elijah learns how he can help Manny deal with his difficult feelings. Includes a short guide for adults with tips on supporting children impacted by mood disorders.
    BookLondon : Kingsley Publishers, Jessica, 2023. — J 618.928522 Ubi 2023
  • With so much negative news in the mainstream media, it is often easy to forget that there are countless amazingly positive things happening in our world. This book includes 150 illustrated news items that kids are sure to enjoy.
    BookKansas City, Missouri : Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2023. — J 031.02 Gat 2023
  • Why Do I Feel So Worried?

    a Kid's Guide to Coping With Big Emotions-follow the Arrows From Anxiety to Calm

    Kirkness, Tammi
    An illustrated flowchart guides kids to the right calming activity for every kind of anxiety.
    BookNew York : The Experiment, 2022. — J 152.46 Kir 2022
  • From anxious to zany, kids experience a wide range of emotions, but they don't often have the language to explain how they're feeling. ABC of Feelings explains that it's perfectly okay -- and normal! -- to feel many different things, and…
    Picture BookNew York : Philomel Books, 2021, c2020. — JP Lui
  • My Mindful A to Zen

    26 Wellbeing Haiku for Happy Little Minds

    Patel-Sage, Krina
    These haiku poems for the soul gently introduce children to mindfulness concepts like Om, Yoga and Zen, as well as goals for mindful living like gratitude and positivity. With its cast of inclusive characters, this poetry collection…
    Book[London, England] : Lantana Publishing Ltd., 2021. — J 158.12 Pat 2021
  • A group of kids express a multitude of feelings and discover they are not alone.
    Picture BookNew York : Alfred A. Knopf, 2021. — JP Penfo
  • Arthur's gloomy father rushes him through the park every morning, through gray and rainy weather. Arthur just wants a bright balloon from the park's vendor, but Papa always says no. One morning, the balloons magically appear at their…
    Picture BookNew York : Harper, 2021, c2020. — JP Bedia
  • When Taylor's block castle is destroyed, all the animals think they know just what to do, but only the rabbit quietly listens to how Taylor is feeling.
    Picture BookNew York, NY : Dial Books for Young Readers, 2018. — JP Doe
  • With lots of practical advice, this lively, accessible guide explains why we have emotions, and what can influence them. Covering everything from friendships, social media and bullying to divorce, depression and eating disorders, this is…
    BookLondon : Usborne Publishing Ltd., 2018. — J 616.8900835 Jam 2018
  • Inside Out

    Sens Dessus Dessous

    Growing up can be a bumpy road, and it's no exception for Riley, who is uprooted from her Midwest life when her father starts a new job in San Francisco. Like all of us, Riley is guided by her emotions: Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust, and…
    DVDBurbank, CA : Disney, [2015] — J DVD Insid
  • This rhyming story describes each day in terms of a particular color which in turn is associated with specific emotions.
    Picture BookNew York : Alfred A. Knopf Inc., 1996. — JP Seuss