As some of you might know, I love me some children’s books. Gosh, I think that I have over a hundred books in my library now, covering all types of topics such as Self-Esteem, Anxiety, Resilience, Sharing, Bullying etc. And many of you parents have mentioned that I should write a list of these books.
I have already created one on “What Children’s Books can Teach you about Life”
And this time, I thought I would create a list for the Best Children’s Books for increasing Self-Esteem. I have broken the books down into two categories:
Stories: Fun fiction that weaves in the concepts of Self-Esteem
Positive Messages: Books that provide the building blocks for Self-Esteem
If you are wondering how I find my books, I look at lists just like this one. See what I think would be good for in the clinic and then see if someone has read it aloud on YouTube. I like to think of it as the try before you buy option
So, for all of the titles below, I will provide a link to
- Booko.com.au which is where I look for prices on all the books I plan to purchase. They rank the books on cheapest price (including delivery) to Australia
- A link to it being read aloud on YouTube if it’s there
Stories
Not Your Typical Dragon
Written by Dan Bar-el and illustrated by Tim Bowers
This is such a fun quirky book
Crispin the Dragon is so excited for his seventh birthday to come around so that he can finally breathe fire. But what comes out is not fire.
This is a delightful little book about how to accept yourself when you don’t conform to the normal expectations of society. And knowing that others will accept you for all of your differences as well
The Lion Inside
Written by Rachel Bright & illustrated by Jim Field
This story tells the journey of a mouse who feels that he always gets ignored & forgotten. So, he thinks that if he can adopt the mannerisms of the Lion, then he will become noticed. Then he could make friends.
It teaches kids that if they want things to change, then first they have change themselves. (think “what is the definition of insanity”). And to be true to themselves.
Sulwe
Written by Lupita Nyong’o and illustrated by Vashti Harrison
I found this book when I was looking for a birthday present for my friend’s daughter. And I loved both the concept in the story and the illustrations.
The story is semi-biographical and it’s about teaching us to see the beauty within ourselves no matter what we look like. Whether it be the colour of our skin or the colour of hair, we have a beauty to ourselves that needs to be shown out to the world
It also shows the impact of saying negative things to people based on their appearance. So, it teaches compassion as well.
One of the standouts for me with this story is the beautiful illustrations. It’s like a piece of art
Stardust
Written by Jeanne Willis and illustrated by Briony May Smith
This is a delightful tale for anyone who has ever experienced the twinges of jealousy for the treatment a sibling is receiving.
Our protagonist feels that her older sister gets all of the attention and love from their family. That her sister shines like a star and nobody cares about her. And it leaves her feeling less than. Until her Grandfather reminds her that we are all made of Stardust and that we all shine in different ways
Feathers for Phoebe
Written & illustrated by Rod Clement
This is a sweet little tale about a little grey bird called Phoebe, who doesn’t like being grey. She feels that no one sees her and she wants to be noticed and stand out. So, she keeps on applying all of these outlandish feather accessories to herself. Thinking that once she is trussed up like a peacock, everyone will notice her. Well, things don’t quite go to plan for young Phoebe
I believe that this is a great tale about why we should just be ourselves. And, we will connect with the right people for us.
Positive Messages
Wild Symphony
Written & composed by Dan Brown & illustrated by Susan Batori
Yes, I did write composed!!! I saw an interview that Dan Brown gave and he said he wanted to introduce the joys of Orchestra music to children. So, he’s composed little vignettes of music relating to each page/topic/instrument. The music is beautiful to listen to. You download a free app to play the music with each page. And because it’s Dan Brown, there are little puzzles throughout the book as well.
Apart from the amazing music, what I love about this book are the powerful messages it has around self-esteem and self-confidence. There is a little story to each page around the animal featured. But what I love is the words of wisdom on the signposts at the bottom.
Maybe
Written by Kobi Yamada and Illustrated by Gabriella Barouch
Such a beautiful book!!! I am a big fan of Kobi Yamada (he wrote the “What do you do with an Idea/Problem/Chance?” book series). And the illustrations are gorgeous
Maybe is such an empowering book. It teaches us all that:
- We are all unique
- We have skills and talents that are needed.
- Life is here it be explored and lived
- At times, things won’t go our way, but we have the strength and resilience to get back up again
It really is a beautiful book to encourage self-confidence and self-esteem in all who read it
Be You
Written and illustrated by Peter H Reynolds
I love Peter H Reynolds! I have several of his books. And they are all so beautiful with powerful messages for all of us.
Be You! encourages your child to be uniquely themselves through: Curiosity, Connection, Adventure, Persistence, Bravery, Patience & Kindness
Each concept is explained with an example and it provides a great opening for you to discuss the topic with your child
I am Human
Written by Susan Verde & illustrated by Peter H Reynolds
This book is like a training manual for being human. It talks about the highs and lows of life. And gives gentle suggestions on how to turn things around. It a great book that helps you to explain concepts like:
- The dynamics of friendships
- Life’s a journey
- The impact of choices
- The resilience to keep trying
This book will help you help your children navigate the aspects of life
Who am I
Written & illustrated by Philip Bunting
This is a great book to help children realise that we are not just our names, our race, our religion. What makes us US is not our thoughts, emotions and feelings
Helps you to explain to your child the concept of consciousness. And it will help them to begin the journey of truly discovering who they are
Dear Boy / Dear Girl
Written by Paris & Jason Rosenthal & illustrated by Holly Hatam
These are beautiful companion books full of powerful positive messages for both boys and girls. Messages like
- Following your dreams
- Connecting with all different types of people
- Being free with creativity
- Being inquiring
They are wonderful books to read to your child over and over again
Dear Boy – Booko link & YouTube link
Dear Girl – Booko link & YouTube link
Being You is Enough
Written and illustrated by Josh Langley
I have 3x of Josh’s books so far, and while I am not a fan of his illustration style (but I get why kids love it), I love the messages in his books. I swear I read these books just as much to my adult clients as I do with my child clients
Being You is Enough teaches kids about
- Listening to their inner wisdom
- They have the power to change their thoughts
- They don’t have to be a copy of the cool kids
- No one is perfect
- To dream big etc
All the Ways to be Smart
Written by Divina Bell & illustrated by Allison Colpoys
This is a wonderful book to start reading to your child from an early age. As it teaches them, that being smart is not just get a high grade on your Maths or English test. It shows children that there are many ways to be smart including through creativity, empathy, imagination, passions, daring adventures.
It’s a great feel-good book that reaffirms to your child that there are more ways to be smart than just being book-smart
The Lovables in the Kingdom of Self-Esteem
Written by Diana Loomans and illustrated by Kim Howard
This is a delightful book suitable that details all the different ways to build self-esteem. i.e. being
- Capable
- Courageous
- Acceptance
- Doing one’s best
It has all of the building blocks to help kids to grow into well-rounded individuals. Kids love to look at all of the different animals listed in this book.
Celebrating You
Written by M.H. Clark & illustrated by Jill Labieniec
Celebrating You is a book full of positive affirmations (all in the second person). While the illustrations are all feminine, the themes apply to everyone. So, please read this to your sons as well as your daughters
When this book comes up for my child clients, I love to do the following. I get the parent to read the positive statements as is i.e. in the second person (e.g. you/your) and I get the child to repeat the statement in the first person (e.g. I/I’m/My/Mine)
Having the client say the statements in the first person turns them into affirmations. And there are so many great ones in there. You might even like to pick one or two and say them together for a week or two
I hope that you have found this list useful. And that it helps you to find the books that will help your child become a strong resilient individual bursting out with self-esteem
Hi, my name is Liesl Frank and I am several things. I am psychic, I am a Kinesiologist, I am a channeller of energetic healings. Which is why I call myself a Psychic Kinesiologist. My passion is helping people to discover who they truly are. Not who the world tells them they should be. I help my clients to wake up and remember how truly amazing they are.
If you want to know more, then check out the rest of my website. If you want to know how Kinesiology can change your life then check out my landing page. If you are wondering how Kinesiology works and why it’s so awesome, visit the what is Kinesiology page.
My what I specialise in page details the areas that I love to work on with Adults. If you want to know how I can help children, my Kinesiology For Kids page goes into more depth. If you would like to know a bit more about me, then this is the page for you
Want to ditch all of that and go straight to booking a session, then you can use my online booking system or send me a message or call me 0419 271 394
xXx Liesl
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