I’m excited to share my favorite self esteem books for kids! Children need to begin developing their self-esteem and a healthy picture of themselves at an early age to have the bravery to try new things and learn more about the world surrounding them. Children’s books focusing on self-assurance are an excellent method to develop a growth mentality in young readers and present them with motivational narratives.
Even though children can be subjected to a lot of social pressures and the opinions of other people, which can cause them to question their own self-worth, reading books with relatable characters and an important message can help your kid feel proud of themselves, find joy in life, and concentrate on the truly important things. Books are a wonderful way to share a positive message with your children on a regular basis that they can discover for themselves through reading.
Why Self Esteem Books for Kids are Important
Young children can relate to the main character of a story and make a connection to themselves that translates to their daily lives. When your children experience new things and try to navigate things like making new friends, being in an uncomfortable situation that requires them to be bold, or having important conversations that promote growth, they’ll recall the stories from their favorite books about self-esteem.
Books that build self confidence can cultivate a growth mindset in your children and help to either repair or prevent low self-esteem. If you’re looking to expand your house or library’s book selection to build children’s self-esteem, then you need this collection of the best self esteem books for kids.
19 Books About Self-Esteem for Kids
1. The Koala Who Could
This is probably my favorite book to read to my kids. Not to mention the cuteness factor of koalas, this book is just so good. Kevin the Koala needs some confidence, and by the end of the story he gets it! He starts out being afraid to “uncling” from his tree, and I don’t want to spoil the rest. Just read the book! I’ve read this book so many times that I have most of it memorized, and so do my kids. I even named my Roomba iRobot Kevin just because the name is always stuck in my head.
2. The Ugly Duckling
There is no way that a list of books about self-esteem could be considered comprehensive without including this additional timeless piece by Hans Christian Andersen. In spite of the fact that he does not look like other ducks, the Ugly Duckling discovers that he possesses amazing beauty on the inside on the outside. Instead, he takes the form of a swan.
3. Thidwick the Big-Hearted Moose
In the book “The Lorax,” written by Dr. Seuss, the author recounts the story of several animals and their aspirations to live on Thidwick’s antlers. He simply didn’t have the stomach to turn down the offer. He was fortunate that he was able to make his way to safety just in time thanks to the growth of new antlers. This book is fantastic for educating older kids who are behaving in an overly passive manner, that there are times when we simply have to be forceful and say no. When we say “no,” we aren’t being rude; rather, it indicates that we are looking out for our own well-being.
4. Exactly Like Me
Exactly Like Me is a sweet book written by Stephanie Moss & designed by Gail Yerrill that teaches young, pre-school-aged children about how every child possesses unique and vital characteristics of their own. The mouse is aware that many other animals possess wonderful attributes, yet he is content to simply be himself because he, too, possesses wonderful qualities.
5. The Book of Mistakes
Corinna Luyken’s The Book of Mistakes is a delightful picture book that primarily relays its narrative through the use of illustrations. It is a story about a young girl who committed a mistake on her artwork, but she was able to utilize that mistake as inspiration to transform it into a magnificent piece of artwork by the time the story came to a finish. This is an excellent book for people who are perfectionists and who constantly berate themselves for making mistakes. Instead, we have the opportunity to reflect on our actions, absorb the lessons they teach us, and mature as a result.
6. The Lovables in the Kingdom of Self-Esteem
The children’s book by Diane Loomans and Kim Howard teaches kids that every individual has a variety of distinctive and significant qualities. The Kingdom of Self-Esteem is teeming with creatures, each of which has a poem or two written about them, praising them for attributes such as being capable, having a passion for learning, or having both a kind and courageous nature.
7. The Emperor’s New Clothes
The Emperor’s New Clothes is a classic fairy tale that was written by Hans Christian Andersen but was rewritten by Riki Levinson and depicted by Robert Byrd. It is a humorous story about an emperor who was tricked into believing that only fools can’t see how fine and rich he looks when he isn’t wearing any clothes since he was told that only fools can’t see how fine and rich he looks. This is an excellent analogy for teaching children about the significance of using their voices to stand up for what they believe in and not giving in to the pressure that comes from their peers. While not one you might think of, it really is a self esteem book for kids!
8. Tacky the Penguin
“Tacky the Penguin”is a funny book written by Helen Lester & Lynn Munsinger about a penguin who acts and dresses in his own unique way and has his own opinions about what to wear. Another one of my favorites from my younger years, written for children of school age and up to adults.
9. Giraffes Can’t Dance
My kids love this book so much! I have parts of it memorized because I’ve read it so many times. The book “Giraffes Can’t Dance” was written by Giles Andreae & Guy Parker. Rees tells the story of a giraffe who, at first, does not feel included in the jungle dance, but later comes to learn that he possesses his own set of dancing techniques that are distinct and exceptional. This book is full with rhymes and is a lot of fun to read. In my opinion, it is fun for children of varying ages to participate in.
10. Stand Tall, Mary Lou Melon
Molly Lou Melon is a little girl who is awkward, to say the least. Mary Lou’s grandmother has always encouraged her to walk proud, smile big, and sing loud, and Mary Lou does just that. That’s why when she starts a new school and is faced with a bully, she knows exactly what to do. This story was written for 3-6 year olds, but readers of all ages will love the moral of the story.
11. Dear Girl,
“Dear Girl,” by Amy Krouse Rosenthal is a book for the special little girl in your life who might need a reminder every now and then that she is strong, valuable and loved. This book is a great gift to give a young girl for a special occasion or just to have on her shelf for no special reason at all. This book has delightful illustrations and is great for kids 3 and up.
12. I Believe I Can
This book written by Grace Byers is a book of positive affirmations for kids of all backgrounds to believe in themselves. It teaches children to love themselves no matter what. I Believe I Can is written for 4 to 8 years olds but older kids will love this book too.
13. Kindness Makes Me Stronger
This book by author Elizabeth Cole will teach your kids the magic of kindness. The story helps children feel proud of being kind and strong in their decisions to choose kindness. The animal characters and exciting storyline will engage kids from toddlers to primary school age.
14. Confidence Is My Superpower
In this special book written by Alicia Ortego, Leonardo discovers that failure is the key to success and self-confidence helps him overcome his fear of failure. This is a great book that will help teach your children to never give up on their goals when they face adversity and turn negative feelings into positive ones. This is a great read for all children who struggle with self-esteem.
15. The Power of Me: Guided Life Journal for Kids
This workbook by Karen Kilpatrick for 7-10 year olds is a guided journal meant to be worked through with a parent, grandparent, or someone else your child trusts and is comfortable with. This book allows you to spend quality time with your kid while helping to foster a growth mindset and build their confidence through guided journalling. This fun book will bring you closer to your child and teach the power of wisdom in different ways and with different stories from inspirational people.
16. The Self Confidence Building Book for Kids
7 to 13 year olds will build confidence with the daily writing prompts in this book. The prompts are simple and easy to understand. They help young boys and girls identify their own strengths, set goals and celebrate reaching them, manage worries and fears, and so much more. Your child will feel more confident from their daily focus on the positive and expressing gratitude.
17. Confident Ninja
This book helps to build healthy self-esteem for kids of all ages. It’s recommended for kids ages 3 to 11 and is full of humor that everyone will love. It’s part of the Ninja Life Hack series of books that focus on the growth and development of life skills for kids. Your child will learn that a little self-esteem goes a long way in life and the important lesson that life is tough, but so are they! This Ninja Life Hack book makes confident kids with a fun story and a powerful message.
18. The Lion Inside
Author Rachel Bright’s story about a shy little mouse who embarks on a journey to find positive self-esteem and confidence is inspiring and motivating. The little mouse finds enough confidence to learn that even the smallest creatures like him can have the biggest hearts. This book is meant for toddlers but is a good book for all of your kids because it’s a message everyone can relate to.
19. Who Ever Heard of a Flying Bird?
Although this is written for 3 to 7 year olds, children of all ages will love this book because every child feels fear and wants to give up sometimes. This book helps kids learn to be president, to never give up, and to have a positive-self image. The inspiring message of this book is delivered in a fun rhyme that kids will love to have read out loud or to read out loud themselves, so this book is great for group reading. This heartwarming story of resilience is also a wonderful picture book that will draw kids into the story.
20. The Little Book of Confidence
The Little Book of Confidence by Zack Bush is for preschool through first graders. It’s basically an introduction and guidebook for little kids about confidence and self-image. It teaches them what it means to be confident and have a positive relationship with yourself.
Self Esteem Books for Kids are Fun and Important for Kids!
Overall, reading books about self-esteem for kids can help create a safe environment in which your child can explore their own feelings. It also allows you to encourage others by speaking positively to them and boosting their self-esteem. There are so many great books out there for encouraging positive self esteem in your children. This list is a great start to fill your book shelves with the power of positive thinking!
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Hi, I’m Jessica! I am wife to Chris, and mom to Kaiper, Alana and Koa. I am a graphic designer, website developer and aspiring author. In this space, I share about everything from parenting, working from home, food we cook, and lots of things for kids! Learn more about me here.
