Self-esteem refers to one’s opinion of self and how much confidence one has in their abilities and achievements.
Kids with a healthy self-esteem generally feel happy about themselves and well-adjusted. At times, some children may experience symptoms of low self-esteem such as avoiding tasks, losing interest in usual activities and regression to baby-like behaviours.
Children go through phases where they have lower self-esteem. As children are used to routine, sudden major changes in their daily life can negatively impact their self-esteem. To help you address your child’s self-esteem issues and to help them feel better about themselves again, there are children’s books about self-esteem that can help you along the way.
The best children’s books on self-esteem and confidence
1. I Like Myself!
By Karen Beaumont
Silly and serious at the same time, this book combines rhyming text with wild illustrations to make it an enjoyable read. It’s about a little girl who knows what really matters, beyond appearances. This book encourages children to see and appreciate the best things about themselves.
Suitable age group: 6 to 8 years old
Where to buy from: Book Depository
2. How Full Is Your Bucket? For Kids
By Tom Rath and Mary Reckmeyer
How Full Is Your Bucket? For Kids is an illustrated version of the long-running bestseller of the same name with more than 400,000 copies sold. Based on the idea that everybody has an invisible bucket that makes us feel great when full and awful when empty, this book teaches children the importance of filling our bucket throughout the day.
The main character, Felix, realises that interactions with people either fill or empty his bucket and in turn, he can either fill or empty the buckets of others around him.
Suitable age group: 6 to 8 years old
Where to buy from: Book Depository, Amazon
3. Exclamation Mark
By Amy Krouse Rosenthal & Tom Lichtenheld
Children will enjoy being on this humourous journey that personifies the exclamation mark.
The exclamation mark is the only one that stands out in a line of seven period marks. He tries ways and means to fit in, until he meets the question mark, who buries the exclamation mark in questions until he puts a stop to it and realises that he is unique and one-of-a-kind.
An added bonus of this book is that it subtly teaches children how to use punctuation marks appropriately in sentences.
Suitable age group: 3 to 5 years old
Where to buy from: Book Depository
4. I Am Peace
By Susan Verde
Mindfulness is a way of finding peace in a chaotic world. With expressive watercolour illustrations and gentle narration, children can learn how to express emotions by using direct speech. Practising mindfulness aids children to find their ground and connect with the world.
Suitable age group: 3 to 5 years old
Where to buy from: GoGuru
5. The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes
By Mark Pett
Beatrice is a nine-year-old girl who is perfect. She has never made a mistake in her entire life. She is faultless… or is she?
One day, she makes a huge mistake in front of everyone, and realises that being under too much pressure to be perfect kills the joy in everything. Children can find the importance of keeping things in perspective and being resilient in The Girl Who Never Makes Mistakes!
Suitable age group: 7 to 9 years old
Where to buy from: Book Depository
6. No Worries! Mindful Kids
By Katie Abey
Written with assistance from child and family psychotherapist Dr. Sharie Coombes, this interactive self-care activity book by Katie Abey uses colouring and doodling as a tool to release pent up feelings and tackle issues affecting young children such as anxiety, sadness and stress.
The simple illustrated activities entertain and keep young children focused through art therapy. Notes for grown ups are included for parents to help their young ones sail through adversities.
Suitable age group: 7 to 9 years old
Where to buy from: Amazon
7. You Are Awesome: Find Your Confidence and Dare to be Brilliant at (Almost) Anything
By Matthew Syed
One of the best books on self esteem and confidence for children, this book is a funny, inspiring and empowering read for young children on the way to becoming young adults.
Chock full of useful tips and written in a manner that is easy for readers of varying abilities to absorb, the main message is that children are awesome and can do almost anything that they set their mind to if they work hard, have the right mindset and are dedicated.
Suitable age group: 7 to 9 years old
Where to buy from: Amazon
8. When I’m Feeling…
By Trace Moroney
This set of books by Trace Moroney counts as highly recommended children’s books about self-esteem. These eight books describe the feelings that young children may not have the ability to express, and uses analogies to help them have a better grasp of their emotions.
For example, anger is described as “a volcano that is bubbling”, sadness is when mum and dad argue and happiness is when everything in the world looks colourful.
Suitable age group: 3 to 5 years old
Where to buy from: Amazon
For young children who seem to be a little down, they can certainly benefit from some of the best books on self-esteem and confidence that will remind them of their uniqueness and capabilities. The books can be purchased online or borrowed from public libraries.
