Picture books tagged with: confidence

Mighty Mara

Mighty Mara celebrates diversity and also explores themes about tenacity, self-confidence, and disability inclusion. The protagonist, a young disabled girl, encounters doubt and some bullying when she signs up to perform in her school talent show. Readers will see how she overcomes biases and ableism to embrace what makes her uniquely herself.

Nowhere Hair

A picture book that steps in to support anyone that needs to explain cancer treatment and its effects to a young child. It also serves as a good reminder that we should not judge or tease people for the way they look, it's what inside that counts the most, and parental love is unwavering, even in the most difficult circumstances.

Medieval Mashup: Leigh’s Wheelie Adventures

In this charming picture book, a group of children (including Leigh, a wheelchair user) work together to support each other to make costumes for a school event. Leigh is struggling with feelings of self-consciousness and frustration, but he successfully overcomes this.

The Happiest Kid

A gentle, reassuring picture book that helps children to recognise and normalise sadness and talk about big feelings

Henrietta’s Thistleberry Boots

A picture book that acknowledges that a change in routine can be challenging for many children, while at the same time demonstrating that with patience and support, it is possible to get through difficult times. A useful springboard for a conversation about uncomfortable changes, the story promotes patience, resilience and courage to face the unknown or new.

The Invisible Boy

This beautiful book promotes inclusivity and empathy, encouraging children to 'leave no-one behind' in friendship groups and to consider other people's feelings.

Squishy Sand

This engaging picture book features Leigh, a disabled child who uses a wheelchair. It highlights some of the everyday obstacles that wheelchair users have to cope with. A great choice for any child, reinforcing the importance of empathy, resilience, teamwork, kindness and creative thinking.

Me and My Fear

A beautifully imagined exploration of fear and how it can change a child's behaviour and perception of the world around them. An excellent springboard for a discussion about emotions, empathy, talking through your worries with others and coping with change.

Impossible!

Perfect to share with children who hide their fears and worries behind "I CAN'T" or "IT'S IMPOSSIBLE', this charming picture book may encourage more of a growth mindset, help to overcome a challenge, or motivate a child to take the first step on the road to a new adventure or experience.

Hair Love

A positive story of how a father and daughter work together to create the perfect hairstyle for a very special day. There are many helpful messages within which could apply to a child who is dealing with an absent or ill parent, or who is simply finding it hard not to give up on a challenging task.

Ask First, Monkey!

An important introduction to consent and boundaries for young children.

All the Ways to be Smart

So often children are led to believe that being smart is all about academic achievement. This delightful, positive and diverse picture book re-frames the concept of being smart to include many other wonderful qualities.

Jungle Jamboree

A lovely reminder for children that true beauty comes from the inside: kind thoughts and deeds are far more important than physical appearance.

What’s worrying you?

A great picture book to help children explore their worries. While it is normal to feel anxious now and then, when anxiety escalates and can't be controlled, sitting down with your child and reading this book together should help.

The Dot

A wonderful picture book that encourages children to try new or challenging things, to explore their creativity and to have confidence in their abilities.

Almost Anything

Encourages young children to believe in themselves and to persevere. Promotes resilience and higher self-esteem.

The Koala Who Could

An entertaining story that encourages children to try something new. Perfect for children who find change difficult.

Perfectly Norman

"Find the courage to be yourself"

Worm, Slug, Maggot and Leech and their Troublesome Transformation!

A great choice for a child suffering with low self-esteem, who feels under pressure to look like others in order to 'fit in' or be more popular.

Minnie & Max are OK!

A good choice to help a child develop a positive body image, “Minnie & Max are OK!” sends out a strong message that everyone is different and that we all have our own specific strengths. The book will reassure a child with insecurities, and encourage them to look at the wonderful diversity all around them.

We’re All Wonders

This story shows how one child copes with his own differences, and other people’s reactions to them. The reader will find comfort in Auggie’s imaginative tactics, and his positivity about being able to change the way others see him.

I Don’t Want Curly Hair!

This fun tale will resonate with any child who might hanker after physical attributes they don’t have, for example, straight or curly hair. But it may also help children who feel different for other reasons, and will reassure a child that many people feel that way sometimes. The story reminds us that friendships can often be based on our differences, and that variety is a good thing.

I’m the Happiest

A lovely story which teaches children that the path to true happiness is to be content with what you already have. While all the other animals compete and compare, Racoon is happy to be himself.

Halibut Jackson

Reassuring anxious or shy children that others experience similar emotions. Providing a positive role model who learns to accept his shyness.

Amazing Grace

Inspiring children to achieve their full potential by believing that anything is possible. Promoting tolerance and acceptance and celebrating diversity. Boosting self-esteem and dealing with prejudice.

Milo’s Monster

This is another book in the Big Bright Feelings series by this author which deals with friendship, jealousy and what happens when a new friend comes along. It looks at what happens when the friendship dynamic changes and how to deal with this in a child friendly way.

I Talk Like A River

A moving book about how it feels to have a stutter and have difficulty expressing yourself.

Brody The Lion: The Shopping Flip

Teaching positive behaviour strategies to children experiencing big emotions, this fun picture book is particularly helpful for children with autism or sensory processing disorders.

Off to School in my Wheelie Chair

A light-hearted and engaging picture book that focusses on a young boy’s journey to school in his manual wheelchair. The story gives a very positive view of wheelchair use, emphasising that it can be fast and fun, while at the same time making the reader more aware of the challenges and obstacles that wheelchair users face each day. Promotes resilience, kindness and acceptance.

The Lion Inside

A delightful story showing that everyone feels scared sometimes. Great for encouraging children to find their own voice.

The Mermaid Who Couldn’t

Many children struggle with self-esteem, like Mariana The Mermaid. Through Mariana's journey to happiness, a child who is struggling to feel good about themselves will see that, over time, and with friends, good things can happen.

I Don’t Want to be Small

A picture book about learning to love what you have and who you are, it will inevitably chime with any child who can't wait to be grown up.

William, The What If Wonder

A story about an anxious boy's first day at school that will help children recognise the difference between worry and reality.

A Rainbow of Fun

An entertaining story about finding out who you really are and being true to yourself, and learning to stand up to prejudice and criticism.

Lula and the Sea Monster

This quirky and empowering story of the friendship between a girl and a rapidly-growing sea creature contains lots of helpful messages about the importance of kindness and perseverance, standing up for your beliefs and protecting the environment. It also acknowledges how difficult it is for children to leave their family home.

The Worry Box

A great choice for children with occasional worries, the bear in the story is given strategies to help ease his anxiety.

The Boy in the Big Blue Glasses

A picture book which acknowledges that getting used to wearing glasses can be a challenge for some children. The boy in the story ultimately grows to accept them.

Super Duper You

A positive picture book that encourages children to celebrate their uniqueness and stop worrying about not fitting in with the crowd.

The Bravest Fish

The Bravest Fish is a delightful book that follows the journey of a little fish, Stanley, after he is separated from his school and fish family. The book follows Stanley’s journey through the ocean to find his family. The story highlights the importance of being positive, never giving up and harnessing strength and bravery.

You Make Your Parents Super Happy

Written to reassure children in separating families that both parents love them and this will never change no matter what happens.

Rooster Wore Skinny Jeans

An entertaining and amusing story that encourages children to be comfortable with and proud of who they are.

The Bumblebear

An amusing story that tells children about the importance of friendship, and that our differences can be our strength.

Hip, Hop, Hooray for Brooklynn!

An upbeat story book about a young bunny born with clubfoot. A great way to introduce young children to the treatment of clubfoot and similar conditions.

Odd Bods

By celebrating the fact that every child alive is an ‘odd bod’, with their own set of idiosyncrasies which should be accepted as the things that define them. Nobody is perfect, and who would want to be anyway?

See You Later Mum

Comforting for children starting playgroup or nursery.

Witches and Fairies

Children can sometimes form friendship circles which exclude others, which can be difficult for the children left on the outside. This book focusses on Clotilda, a little girl who doesn't really fit into the group of fairies and group of witches she longs to play with.