Picture Books

You Belong Here by M. H. Clark – Ages 4- 8+ - Love, self-acceptance, special place in the world

Tiny Perfect Things by M. H. Clark/Illustrated by Madeline Kloepper – Ages 2 – 6 – Nature, appreciation of the present moment, human connection

The Reflection in Me by Marc Colagiovanni/Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds – Ages 4-8- Self-acceptance, celebrating the uniqueness of each person

The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld – Ages 3-6 – Connection to others, empathy, feelings

The World Needs Who You Were Meant to Be – by Joanna Gaines/Illustrated by Julianna Swaney – Ages 1-7 – Self-acceptance, celebrating the uniqueness of each person

Listening to My Body by Gabi Garcia/Illustrated by Ying Jui Tan – Ages 3-8 – Emotional regulation, mind-body connection

Tiger Livy by Erin Garcia – Ages 3-9 – Courage, resilience, empathy, patience, feelings, love (features a girl living with chronic illness)

Some Bodies Need a Little Help by S.F. Harris – Ages 3-5 – Self-acceptance, inclusivity, body positivity (Features children living with chronic conditions)

Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson – Ages 3-8 – The power of imagination, problem solving, perseverance, resilience

My Ocean is Blue by Darren Lebeuf/Illustrated by Ashley Barron – Ages 3-7 – appreciating nature, being present to the treasures around you (features a child with mobility limitations)

Big Feelings by Alexandra Penfold/Illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman – Ages 3-6 – all feelings are valid, emotional regulation, understanding feelings

Be You! By Peter H. Reynolds – Ages 3-7 – Self-acceptance, self-expression, appreciating your gifts

Be Brave Little One by Marianne Richmond – Ages infant – 8yrs. – Courage, be true to yourself

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak – Ages 3-8 – emotional regulation, the power of imagination

The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires – Ages 3-7 – perseverance, resilience, problem solving, frustration, anger

The Velveteen Rabbit – Margery Williams – Ages 3 – 8+ - Be true to yourself, Love, connection

What Do You Do With a Problem? By Kobi Yamada/Illustrated by Mae Benson – Ages 3-7 – Courage, Resilience

Owl Moon by Jane Yolen/Illustrated by John Shoenherr – Ages  2 – 7+ - Nature, love, connection, patience

Books that feature a parent with a chronic condition

Brave Like Mom by Monica Aker/Illustrated by Paran Kim – Ages 5-8 – courage, inner strength, brave doesn’t mean you’re not scared.

Twirl With Me, Moma!: Helping a child understand a loved one with a chronic illness by Melissa Beardall and Rebecca Nichols/Illustrated by Emma Valenghi – Ages 3-10 - resilience, love, and the beauty of finding joy in unexpected ways (non-specific illness)

The Invisible String – By Patricia Karst/Illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff – Ages 3-8 – the unbreakable, invisible connection of love and comfort in separation from a parent

Some Days: A Tale of Love, Ice Cream, and My Mom’s Chronic Illness by Julie A. Stamm/Illustrated by Chamisa Kellogg – Ages 2-6 – adaptation, resilience, love, finding joy in unexpected ways (The parent has MS, but the book works well for any chronic illness.)