Top 10 Books that Encourage Self-Love & Self-Acceptance in Kids
There are so many amazing picture books that encourage self-love & self-acceptance in kids. Here is a list of 10 titles to add to your home or classroom library for your kiddos!
The Self-Love Book
by Alexandra Hoffman
The Self-Love Book inspires kids to love themselves exactly as they are, be proud of their uniqueness and celebrate our differences! This book celebrates diversity and inspires inclusion.
The colourful illustrations throughout the story will delight your children. In addition, they will enjoy reading this heartwarming story. This book is suitable for all ages (possibly even some adults) and might just inspire a lifelong journey of self-love!
Too Cute to Spook
by Diana Aleksandrova
This is the empowering story of a little monster with a big problem.
Everyone knows that a monster's favourite thing is to scare kids. Lorry is no exception. He wants to be the scariest monster of all.
Lorry wants to follow in the steps of his famous ancestors: his dreadful great-grandfather, Scabby Moldbody, who was known for making kids scream the loudest, and his gruesome great-grandmother, Henrietta Fang, who was responsible for more nightmares than any other monster. There is only one small problem, Lorry is cute, and kids aren't afraid of cute little monsters. Being a different monster makes Lorry sad and ashamed. Unable to fit in, he learns how to stand out. The story of Lorry encourages kids to love who they are!
Goldilocks: The Third Bear
by Tyler Smith
Goldilocks doesn’t fit in with the other animals at school– no matter how hard she tries. Despite the constant teasing about her long golden hair, big blue eyes, and funny-looking nose, she is determined to prove she can be a good bear– just like Mama and Papa. Will she have what it takes?
This adorable new take on a beloved classic was written with the intent to help children and parents navigate through the complicated emotions that can come through adoption. However, it is also perfect for children of all ages who are learning to develop the confidence they need to be true to themselves in any situation.
Faith's Freckles
by Shermaine Perry-Knights & Baylei Hinds-Perry
Looking for a book to build self-esteem in young girls with freckles? Meet Faith, a freckle-faced girl, who struggles to see herself as beautiful. With the help of McKenzie’s friendship, she discovers the magic of her special spots and learns the importance of self-love. This powerful picture book teaches readers that “the things that make you different, make you extra special!
Faith’s Freckles encourages important conversations about self-love, making new friends, big feelings, problem-solving, positive mental health and accepting each other's differences.
Happy In your Skin: Our skin the first conversation about race
by Erlin Kakkanad
Explore with Rafa as he learns about his cultural identity. This book tells the story of Rafa, who is in preschool and is curious about why his skin color is different. Young Rafa has a wonderful family. They are from India and now live in the United States.
Rafa loves where he lives, but sometimes he gets strange questions that he doesn’t know how to answer. “Why are you brown?” “Why are you so different?” At first, Rafa did not have the tools to navigate these questions… until he talks to some of the adults in his life! It turns out that many people have gotten questions like that, and they can help him with what to say! His doctor, teacher, and parents help Rafa understand who he is and how to be proud of that.
Dino Deegan and the Unpleasant Class (Dino Deegan Series Book 1)
by Dr. Heather E. Robyn
Days at school are tough for Dino Deegan. Being included at recess is his dream, but his claws are so big that they get in the way, and other children and dinosaurs bully him for it and for being different.
One day, a new classmate name Cass befriends him, stands up to the bullies and helps take down bullying one act of kindness at a time.
It's Great to Be Me: Daily Affirmations for Children
by Melissa Ahonen
Does your child understand what makes them so great Imaginative, Kind, Smart, Talented, and Brave are just a few of the affirmations that you will read and explore with your child in this book.
Packed with beautiful illustrations and easy-to-understand affirmations, It’s Great to Be Me will surely build any young child’s confidence, positive thinking, self-love, and belief in oneself.
My Summer Skin is Radiant
by Tiffany Obeng
Through gorgeous art and lyrical text, My Summer Skin is Radiant delivers an empowering celebration of black children's darker summer skin tones. A fun and easy read, this book creatively addresses the issue of colorism and promotes self-esteem and self-love.
A relevant picture book that includes positive affirmations and a beautiful, important message that reminds kids (and adults) that our skin is stunning, exquisite, and fabulous all year long. By the end of this book, everyone of all ages will be encouraged to love all shades of themselves and others.
Tom and His Trunk
by Chrish Vindhy
Tom and His Trunk is the story of an elephant calf who does not like his trunk. But when he faces various day-to-day situations in the wild with his mom and dad, he ultimately realizes that his trunk is an essential and most useful part of his body.
He learns to appreciate himself as a special creature and love his life as an elephant!
Words Take Flight
by Etaine Raphael
When twins Chloe and Zoey get teased at their new school for speaking only in rhyme, their mom takes them to play at their favorite park. There, the twins meet a toddler who is also having a hard day. They decide to help cheer him up by including him in their favorite activity: storytelling. Little by little, the whole park becomes their audience!
Through their gift of storytelling, Chloe and Zoey share what kindness and friendship mean to them. They also realize how their words bring both comfort and inspiration to those around them. Join Chloe and Zoey as they learn that sometimes the things that set us apart from our peers are actually our greatest gifts!