Confidence Building Books for Kids

These are my favorite children’s picture books full of positive messages and encourage confidence building.

Sometimes I Feel Like a Fox | Danielle Daniel

This book not only delivers a beautiful message but the artful illustrations are ‘hang on the wall’ worthy. All around it’s a beautiful book. It is simple and it allows you to slow down and enjoy each page which is dedicated to a particular totem animal and describes its attributes and strengths. It’s a book that can engage the readers as they discover which animals resemble themselves some of the time or all of the time. It’s a great journey of discovery for our little ones and allowing them to self-reflect with each beautiful page. At the end of the book there is a list of the animals and the dominant characteristics associated with them. This would be a art activity for children as they pick the animal that best describes them and make a mask or self-portrait or their own totem pole with their totem animals. This is going on the gift list for all children’s birthdays.

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Dear Girl, / Dear Boy, | Amy Krouse Rosenthal + Paris Rosenthal

This book has nothing but great lessons delivered to kids in a short and sweet direct message with simple and cute illustrations. The messages are about situations in real life and are totally relatable to young children. It lets us know it’s okay to cry and that we sometimes need to be alone, or brave or clean our rooms. It’s a book that delivers great messages about kindness and self-esteem but is not overly complicated. Even a younger audience can interact with the images and understand the simplicity of the ‘lessons’ learned on each page. Meanwhile it’s a book that can last all through school as kids try to discover themselves in the real world and it lets them know they will always have support to be who they want to be. Not gonna lie, a little tear comes out almost every time we read this book. Definitely a keepsake and an amazing gift to parents and children alike.

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On the Night You Were Born | Nancy Tilman

Nancy Tilman has created a genre of her own with her many beautiful books for all ages. This one is my favorite, perhaps because it was my first. The messages are very eloquent and poetic and the children love the different pages of nature: the moon, the bears and ocean. If you look closely, there are often hidden things to look for on each page. This would make a great baby shower or birthday gift as it will definitely go into the keepsake pile. Her books are often about why children are so special, and these messages will never get old can be repeated every night for a bedtime story as they have such a beautiful, rhythmic flow.

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The Thing that Lou Couldn’t Do | Ashley Spires

This book has refreshing graphics but more importantly the playful message is very relatable to the challenges that all kids will experience. It has a story line that is clear, so the message is easy to understand for kids. It’s about why we should attempt the things we want to do, but also, it’s okay to do things in your own time regardless of what everyone else is doing around you. This is what makes it different than other ‘you should just try’ books, because yes…sometimes it is okay that children choose their own paths and pace.

And what’s so cool is that the author lives in our ‘hood (well in the lower mainland). She lives in Ladner and I love supporting Canadian talent!

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Giraffes Can’t Dance | Giles Andreae

This beautiful rhyme tells a great story and delivers an even better message. I have bought everyone I know this book. Poor Gerald can’t dance in the regular African dance circle, but despite ridicule, he allows himself to feel moved by something that isn’t the ‘norm’ and his uncontrollable dance moves lead to admiration from all of his jungle mates. It teaches us that being different or unique allows us to grow and forge on despite others judgments and sometimes we need to slow down and listen to ourselves to discover what our ‘real me’ is. And it encourages all of us to show compassion for others despite the fact that we may not be able to relate to them.

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Grumpy Monkey | Suzanne Lang

I feel like our world often tells us that it’s not okay to be mad, angry or grumpy. So what do we actually do when we see our loved ones experience these natural feelings? Well, reading Grumpy Monkey will help you all. Norman shows us how to simply support our grumpy loved ones. While Grumpy Monkey Jim recognizes that sometimes when we feel grumpy, it’s okay to sit down, have a moment to experience these feelings and once we are ready, we can simply move on. Grumpy monkey taught my whole household that it’s okay for everyone to have grumpy days. Read my post Helping Grumpy Kids Be Grumpy if this topic sounds like it can relate to you.

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I know you will enjoy these books as much as we have!

Happy reading, happy learning. 🖤

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full disclosure: links to the amazon marketplace mean that if you click it and purchase something, you will not be charged extra in any way...I pinky swear...I will however receive a small kick-back as a thank from Amazon for giving them a 'shout out' and any earnings will contribute to the coffee and wine required for inspiration for this blog.