Becoming Vanessa
Vanessa is nervous she will not fit in on her first day of school, but she hopes a special outfit will show her new classmates she is someone they should know. You can also check out this title as eAudio on OverDrive/Libby.
Here to Help: Books about Self Esteem
By sharing stories together and having conversations about the books you read, you can help young children understand the world around them. Seeing diverse experiences represented in books helps children to explore their own identities and develop empathy for others.
Check out these titles that promote positive self esteem and self confidence for young children.
Not every book is available at all locations, but any title can be requested. The children’s librarian at your neighborhood library is also here to help, with suggestions for additional titles on topics of interest–or feel free to suggest some titles to us. New books are always being added to the collection. You can find more Here to Help booklists on different topics by clicking here.
Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum loves her name, until she starts going to school and the other children make fun of it.
Eyes That Speak to the Stars
A young Asian boy notices that his eyes look different from his peers’ after seeing his friend’s drawing of them. After talking to his father, the boy realizes that his eyes rise to the skies and speak to the stars, shine like sunlit rays, and glimpse trails of light from those who came before–in fact, his eyes are like his father’s, his agong’s, and his little brother’s, and they are visionary. Inspired by the men in his family, he recognizes his own power and strength from within. This title is also available for checkout in eAudio on Hoopla and in eAudio on Libby.
I Am Enough
Shares a story of loving who you are, respecting others and being kind to one another. You can also check out this title as an eAudio on OverDrive/Libby or as eBook on OverDrive/Libby. This title is also available as an eAudio on Hoopla.
I Like Myself!
In rhyming text, a little girl expresses confidence and joy in her uniqueness, no matter her outward appearance.
I Talk Like a River
When a child has a “bad speech day” at school, his father gives him a new perspective on his stuttering. This title is also available for checkout in eAudio on Libby, in eAudio on Hoopla, as a Read Along on Hoopla, and as a movie on Hoopla.
Leila in Saffron
Shy and unsure of herself, Leila discovers all the things that make her special with the loving help of her Naani.
Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match
Marisol McDonald, a biracial, nonconformist, soccer-playing pirate-princess with brown skin and red hair, celebrates her uniqueness.
The Me I Choose to Be
An uplifting story about self-confidence and a child’s limitless potential.
Nigel and the Moon
At nightime, Nigel shares his dreams for the future with the moon, imagining himself as an astronaut, a dancer, and a superhero, too! But during Career Week at school, he can’t find the courage to share his dreams with his classmates because he already feels out of place. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby or as eAudio on OverDrive/Libby.
Remarkably You
Rhyming text encourages young readers to discover what they are good at and use it to make a difference in big ways or in small ones.
Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great
Envy turns to admiration and finally to friendship for Goat and Unicorn.