Here is a list of book recommendations for young children (12 and under) and their families, created by a young person in the community.
Click on the following links to learn more or find the books at your local public library (Hamilton Public Library).
"A Kids Book About..." Series by Various Authors
- For ages 0-9
- A series of books for children around various topics including empathy, anxiety, emotions, gratitude, mindfulness, creativity, diversity, kindness, COVID-19, etc.
- Learn more: https://akidsbookabout.com/
Finding Om by Rashmi Bismark, Md, Mph
- For ages 4-8
- The story follows Anu, an Indian African girl who explores the mantra ‘Om’ with her Appuppa (grandfather). It is an accessible book about meditation and finding inner peace.
- Own voices: written by a South East Asian yoga/mindfulness instructor
- Where to buy: Indigo/Chapters
B Is For Breathe by Melissa Munro Boyd
- Appropriate for young children.
- This book teaches children how to cope with difficult emotions in healthy ways. Every letter of the alphabet shares mindfulness and calming strategies.
- Where to buy: Indigo/Chapters
Outside, Inside by Leuyen Pham
- For ages 3-5
- This is a COVID-19 themed book that celebrates essential workers and a sense of community. It highlights the things we've learned and enjoyed (e.g. playing board games), while also discussing the challenges of the pandemic.
- Where to buy: Indigo/Chapters
You Are Never Alone by Elin Kelsey
- Appropriate for all ages.
- This story explores how humans are connected to one another and to nature, and how we are never truly alone. It explores our connection with nature through topics such as gravity, plants synthesizing oxygen, and microorganisms that build our immunity, and more!
- Where to buy: Indigo/Chapters
Outside In by Deborah Underwood
- For ages 4-8 and up.
- This book explores the many ways nature affects our everyday lives, even when we’re stuck inside. Some of the themes explored include mindfulness, connectedness and healing.
- Where to buy: Indigo/Chapters
Way Past Worried by Julie Fogliano
- For ages 4 and up.
- The story follows Brock as he tries to manage his anxiety by using emotional intelligence skills and calming strategies.
- Where to buy: Indigo/Chapters
The Whatifs by Emily Kilgore
- For ages 3-5
- The story follows Cora, a little girl with a lot of anxiety about a lot of things. A friend helps Cora reframe her "whatifs" creatures throughout the story.
- Where to buy: Indigo/Chapters
Why Do We Cry? by Fran Pintadera
- For ages 3 and up.
- The story follows Mario and his mother as they talk about the reasons people cry and our body’s response to tears and crying. The book also includes interesting facts about tears at the end!
- Where to buy: Indigo/Chapters
How To Solve A Problem by Ashima Shiraishi
- For ages 4-8
- This story is about Ashima Shiraishi, one of the world’s youngest, skilled rock climbers, as she draws connections between solving ‘problems’ (i.e. boulders) in rock climbing and solving problems in real life.
- Where to buy: Indigo/Chapters
I’m Gonna Push Through by Jasmyn Wright
- For ages 3-5
- This story highlights a message of strengths, confidence and self-worth in the face of hardships. The characters explore themes such as age, race, religion, disabilities, sexuality and more.
- Where to buy: Indigo/Chapters
Someone New by Anne Sibley O'Brien
- For ages 5-8
- This book tells the story of students through various perspectives (students who welcome and include new students into their classrooms, newcomer students' experiences) while exploring the themes of inclusion, patience, and friendships.
- This book is an alternate version of “I’m New Here” — the first book tells the story of three recent immigrants who are adjusting to a new country/school.
- Where to buy: Penguin Random House
The Girl Who Hears Colours by Marie Harris
- For ages 3-5
- The story follows Jillian as she struggles at school because her peers do not understand synesthesia. The book brings attention to all five senses throughout the story.
- Where to buy: Penguin Random House
Milo and Monty by Roxana De Rond
- Appropriate for young children.
- The story follows two puppies who are very different, and their adoptive family learns to meet both of their needs. The story focuses in inclusivity, communication, mutual understanding and respecting others.
- Where to buy: Indigo/Chapters
Under the Love Umbrella by Davina Bell, Allison Colpoys
- For ages 3-5
- This story celebrates the invisible, protective love between caregivers and their children.
- Where to buy: Indigo/Chapters
Layla’s Happiness by Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie
- Appropriate for young children.
- The story follows Layla, a young Black girl, as she describes all the things that make her happy including love, community, friendship and fun. The story encourages readers to consider what makes them happy, and where and how they might find these things.
- Where to buy: Indigo/Chapters
My Heart Fills With Happiness by Monique Gray Smith
- For ages 0-3
- The narrator lists things that make them happy through an Indigenous lens (e.g. singing, dancing, the sun’s warmth, the smell of bannock baking and more).
- Own voices: Author Monique Gray Smith wrote this story to support the wellness of Indigenous children and families, and to encourage young children to reflect on what makes them happy.
- Where to buy: Indigo/Chapters
Step Into Your Power by Jamia Wilson
- For ages 9 and up.
- This book provides support and interactive activities about how to: tend to your mental health and wellbeing, cope with difficult situations, build community, say no and ask for help.
- Where to buy: Indigo/Chapters
Five Things About Ava Andrews by Margaret Dilloway
- For ages 8-12
- The story follows Ava as she struggles with anxiety after her best friend moves away. She joins an improv group for support and soon finds herself involved in a community effort to save the program. The story explores themes including activism, community, and friendship.
- Own voices: written by a Japanese American author.
- Where to buy: Harper Collins Publishers
Shuri: The Search for Black Panther by Nnedi Okorafor
- For ages 9-12
- The story follows Shuri (Black Panther’s younger sister) as she sets out on a quest to save her homeland of Wakanda by finding out what is causing the Heart-Shaped Herb plants to die.
- Where to buy: Indigo/Chapters
You-niquely You by Terri Libenson
- For ages 9-12
- This is an interactive journal that features a number of characters who talk about social-emotional situations, friendship dilemmas, and the importance of knowing yourself.
- Where to buy: Indigo/Chapters
Check out the following Instagram accounts for more books:
Do you have book recommendations for other youth and families? Please share at [email protected]
Last updated: May 2021
