Maybe you have big feelings, or worry about what other kids think of you. Maybe you feel like you're different from everyone else! These picture books sensitively address topics like anxiety, ADHD, and inclusivity. Children may feel inspired by successful stories of kids who learn to connect and feel proud of their differences, and adults may find inspiration in these resources as well.
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Written by Luciana de Luca
Illustrated by Natali Barbani
Toronto; Berkeley, CA : Annick Press, 2024. Picture Book.
A little girl wants to dance and play with her friends, but she feels worried. Sometimes she feels scared or shy, and doesn't know how to deal with these big emotions. As she handles these dark feelings, she talks to an adult, and finds a way to live in the light. This book can help children see their anxious feelings represented, and it also features a note to readers with coping strategies and professional resources to learn more.
Written by Gabriella Aldeman
Illustrated by Rocio Arreola
Minneapolis, MN : Free Spirit Publishing, an imprint of Teacher Created Materials, Inc, 2024. Picture Book.
Paula gets a hole in her pants at school and feels embarrassed. However, as she tries to hide the tear, she sees classmates that also have stains or rips in their belongings. Paula comes up with a solution by making colorful patches, and then brings them to share with her friends at school. This helps her realize that her friends also have items that may need mending, and that she isn't alone in this experience. This book sweetly shows how something that might seem embarrassing can be a common experience, and even a way to connect with others.
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Written by Rachel Morrisroe
Illustrated by Ella Okstad
Naperville, IL: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2024. Picture Book.
This book, written with rhyming patterns and colorful illustrations, follows Alex. Sometimes he has big feelings, and whenever he is worried, a llama appears! Alex worries about slipping or tripping, and tries to forget his worries to get rid of the llama. But the llama won't go away! Eventually, his teacher talks to him about how everyone has worried feelings, and how talking to someone can help you feel better. This book shows how worries may feel like they get in the way of having fun, but that these feelings are normal, and talking about them can help.
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Written by Mia Armstrong with Marissa Moss
Illustrated by Alexandra Thompson
New York : Random House, 2024. Picture Book.
Mia has Down Syndrome, and knows that people may not be used to seeing people like her. She candidly addresses how she is different, but asks strangers to not ignore her, but to say hello. Mia has lots of things she likes to do, and she has a best friend who is different from her, but also a lot alike. She draws a self-portrait for class, and shows how she can be different and special, and other kids can understand that as well. This book also includes common questions and can be a great tool for parents to talk with their children about Down Syndrome.
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By Vigg
Victoria, BC: Orca Book Publishers, 2023. Picture Book.
Vincent is a boy with a lot going on in his head! His mind is made up of different rooms, and sometimes he goes to different places. Sometimes, like at school, he uses his mind as an escape.
This book illustrates how a child's mind may be filled with distractions, like one page that is just filled with capitalized words, stream of consciousness style. Sometimes he feels like he gets lost inside his head, but by the end he realizes the light that also exists in his mind. This book shows the author's experience growing up with ADHD, and may help children express the way they think.
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