Even though the school year is no longer brand new, it can still be stressful for children. So it’s important for us to take time to check in with them and see how they are doing. However, you might have noticed that kids aren’t always the best at explaining what’s wrong. We don’t want to step on their toes by just jumping into a conversation if they haven’t said anything.
So, it might be a good idea to use a book as a starting point. That way you can read about a child who is having a particular problem. You can talk about what your child would do if they were in that situation. Then ask them if they’re struggling with something they would like help with. If you don’t have any books that your child would be interested in, here are a few books that I think would be a great starting point.
The first is I’m Not (Very) Afraid of the Dark by Anna Milbourne and illustrated by Daniel Rieley (Usborne, 2023). As the title suggests, the protagonist is only slightly afraid of the dark, but they don’t want to admit it. But when the sun sets and it gets darker, it’s harder for him to pretend he isn’t scared. This fun book is full of gorgeous and interactive pictures that I’ve come to expect from Usborne. Rieley’s work is impeccable and filled with magic, so make sure you read this story with a flashlight nearby. That way you can shine light through all of the cut outs and see what the main character sees. For ages 4 to 8.
If you think your child is struggling with sadness instead of fear, this book might help. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso and Desmond Mpilo Tutu, the Archbishop Emeritus of South Africa have created a little picture book called The Little Book of Joy, illustrated by Rafael López (Crown Books for Young Readers, 2022). This book is a good reminder that there are reasons to be joyful all around us. And this story reminds us that when we find joy we should share it with others so together we can make the world a brighter place. For ages 4 to 8.
Another emotion that you might notice if your children are stressed is anger. If that’s the case, I recommend getting Anger Management Activities for Kids by Holly Forman-Patel and illustrated by Claudio Cerri (Rockridge Press, 2020). Unlike the previous two books on the list, this is not a story, it is a self-help book for children. There are a variety of activities and lessons in it to help your child learn why we get angry at all. They’ll discover how to stop the anger monsters from multiplying, and failing that, create effective strategies to release those anger monsters in a healthy manner. The pictures in this book are adorable, and the cuteness helps children remember that anger monsters and their buddies aren’t bad they just need special attention. For ages 5 to 9.
While I hope this is never the case, one thing that might be stressing our children out is bullies. Bullies can decimate our kids’ self-esteem, and it can be really tough to rebuild that. If you think your child is struggling with a bully, or with low self-esteem in general, check out A Kids Book About Self-Love by Brandon Farbstein (A Kids Co., 2021). Farbstein understands what it feels like to be bullied because of your appearance, and what it feels like to dislike yourself. Which is why he wrote this book about self-love. What it looks like, what it feels like, and how to start loving yourself. There are no pictures in this book, but don’t let that deter you. Farbstein’s writing style is comforting and conversational so it won’t be hard for children to remain engaged. For ages 5 to 9.
The last book is What You Need to Be Warm: A Poem of Welcome by Neil Gaiman (Quill Tree Books, 2023). As Gaiman explains in the foreword, this is a collaborative poem. He wrote it using memories that people shared with him about what it meant to be warm. While the aim of this poem is to draw attention to refugees without adequate shelter, you can also read it differently. Read it to your children and talk about what it means to be warm or to feel loved. In addition to the poets, 13 artists contributed to this story. Each with their own unique style, but all of them held onto the same colour scheme. You’ll find an orange glow that seems to emanate warmth from the very pages you’re holding. For ages 8 to 12.
I know school and the coming winter can be hard. With the nights getting darker faster and the weather turning cool. But hopefully these books will help you and your children embrace your fears, find pockets of joy, hug your monsters, love yourself, and discover your own items to add to Gaiman’s list of what it takes to be warm.
