Self-care is critical for looking after our physical and mental wellness. But many of us don’t recognize the importance of self-care until adulthood. Books can equip children with the resources they need to look after their minds and bodies. This week’s Three to Read Jr. picks are sure to help your little bookworm develop healthy habits and a positive sense of self.
EARLY READERS
I Shine Like the Sun: Daily Affirmations to Build Self-Esteem in a New Generation by Alice Alderman
SUMMARY:
Help reinforce your child’s self-esteem with these daily affirmations, collected in Alice Alderman’s stunning picture book debut. These simple yet powerful statements draw connections between a child’s strengths and the natural world, accompanied by gorgeous multimedia illustrations. The book even includes a mirror so your child can internalize perhaps the book’s most important message: “I love myself. I love my world. I am happy to be me!”
WHY:
We develop our impressions of ourselves from an early age. I Shine Like the Sun helps young children view themselves as strong, resilient, and magical, using imagery that emphasizes their relationship with the world around them. The book’s UK publisher, Mama Makes Books, even offers printable worksheets for readers to reflect on their feelings, express gratitude, and write personalized affirmations to remind them what makes them special.
ELEMENTARY READERS
Penelope Weathervane’s Grumpy Day by James Serafino
SUMMARY:
Penelope Weathervane is having a grumpy day. Stormy weather has ruined the picnic she had planned, and her day only seems to get worse from there: Her comic books have gotten soggy, her cat’s too cranky to cuddle with her, and she’s out of cereal! Can Penelope use mindfulness tactics to find her way through the storm?
WHY:
Young (and older) readers are sure to relate to Penelope as she weathers (pun intended) a day where nothing seems to go right. James Serafino cleverly illustrates Penelope’s tumultuous mood using her hair as a storm cloud, with forecast panels scattered throughout the story to emphasize her foul mood. Penelope Weathervane’s Grumpy Day perfectly captures how overwhelmed a child can feel when the little things pile up. Most importantly, it reminds children that they don’t need to let grumpy feelings take control of their life — and that there is always calm after the storm.
MIDDLE GRADE READERS
My One-of-a-Kind Body: The Ultimate Guide to Caring For Me by Whitney Casares
SUMMARY:
Welcome to Camp Corazon! Join campers Greta, Natalia, Juan, Troy, and Haley as they learn healthy habits and embrace their bodies in all their shapes, sizes, and abilities. Through fun facts and colorful illustrations, author and pediatrician Dr. Whitney Casares provides readers with the science and encouragement they need to love and take care of themselves as they are.
WHY:
The tween years can be particularly tricky for children’s self-confidence as their bodies change and they become more aware of societal messaging around body image, food, and other aspects of health and lifestyle. As the founder of Raising Body Confident Kids, Casares provides caregivers with the tools to help their children feel comfortable with their bodies. My One-of-a-Kind Body is the book she wishes she’d had as a mother, healthcare provider, and someone who grew up surrounded by diet culture. Featuring a cast of kids diverse in skin color, gender, ability, neurotype, and interests, this book teaches children that, in Casares’ words, “all bodies are good bodies,” and equally “worthy of care and respect.” It’s a healing message that kids and grown-ups alike will benefit from hearing.
That’s it for this week’s Three to Read Jr.! We’ll be back next week with more amazing recs for your little bookworm.
Click here for three children’s books about feelings by BIPOC authors.
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