10 Books That Teach Kids To Love Themselves

Instilling a sense of confidence in our children is no easy task. In fact, it might be one of the more challenging parts of parenthood. A great way to pass on some words of wisdom to little ones is through a fun book. By reading stories together about other characters who are unique and special, your child will discover their own extraordinary characteristics, too. Here are 10 books that teach kids to love themselves. —Jennifer Cox

Iggy Peck, Architect. It all began with Iggy who had a penchant for building things, and this is what made him stand out. This beloved New York Times’ bestselling picture book is a fun-filled, inspiring story about the power of teamwork and the importance of celebrating individual gifts and self-expression. Read about other members of Iggy’s class with Rosie Revere, Engineer, Ada Twist, Scientist, and more!

I Am Enough. A New York Times’ bestseller and Goodreads Choice Awards picture book winner, this is a lyrical ode to loving who you are, respecting others, and being kind to one another. We are all here for a purpose, we are more than enough, and we just need to believe it – these messages resonate throughout this timeless book.

Believing In Me: A Child’s Guide to Self-Confidence and Self-Esteem. This practical guide combines proven cognitive-behavioral therapy methods used by child psychologists in schools with simple activities to help your child grow their self-esteem. Your child will be guided, with the help of Bop – a friendly and supportive character they can identify with – through fun and engaging activities interspersed with useful tips, inspirational statements, and practical information for parents. It’s perfect for children ages 8 to 12.

Tomorrow I’ll Be Brave. Journey through a world filled with positive and beautifully hand-lettered words of wisdom, inspiration, and motivation in Tomorrow I’ll Be Brave. This book reminds readers that tomorrow is another day and it is full of endless opportunities – all you have to do is decide to make the day yours!

Dear Girl. Dear Girl is a love letter written for the special girl in your life, a gentle reminder that she’s powerful, strong, and holds a valuable place in the world. Any girl reading this book will feel that she’s great just the way she is, whether she enjoys jumping in a muddy puddle, has a face full of freckles, or dances on tabletops. Dear Girl encourages girls to always be themselves and to love who they are, inside and out.

Giraffe Problems. Edward the giraffe can’t understand why his neck is as long and bendy and, well, as ridiculous as it is. No other animal has a neck this absurd! Just when he has exhausted his neck-hiding options and is about to give up, Cyrus the turtle ambles in (very slowly) and helps Edward understand that his neck has a purpose… and, besides, it looks excellent in a bow tie! Along with a heavy dose of humor comes a gentle reminder about the importance of acceptance.

Where Oliver Fits. Oliver has always dreamed about where he will fit. Will he be in the mane of a unicorn? The tentacle of a pirate squid? The helmet of an astronaut? When he finally goes in search of his perfect place, he finds that trying to fit in is a lot harder than he thought. But like any puzzle, a little trial and error leads to a solution, and Oliver figures out exactly where he belongs. Where Oliver Fits is a sweet and funny story that explores all the highs and lows of learning to be yourself, and shows that fitting in isn’t always the best fit.

Perfectly Norman. From the creator of Ruby Finds a Worry comes another empowering picture book about embracing and celebrating what makes you unique. Norman had always been perfectly normal… until one day, he grows a pair of wings! Afraid of what people will think, Norman covers them up with a big coat. But can he summon the courage to be himself? While we all might feel afraid about standing out, Perfectly Norman shows that there’s nothing better than celebrating what makes you unique.

Chrysanthemum. Chrysanthemum is a can’t-miss classic. Chrysanthemum thinks her name is absolutely perfect… until her first day of school. This title will get children thinking about and bonding with their own names and the names of everyone else in the class, and it’s the perfect vehicle for starting a discussion about treating classmates with tolerance, kindness, and compassion… and ourselves.