Self-Esteem picture book recommendations are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.
(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. These titles may be found on my Amazon Storefront under Self-Esteem Picture Books– https://amzn.to/48NBD2O .)
âť—This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.âť—
My Powerful Hair
by Carole Lindstrom (Author), Steph Littlebird (Illustrator)
Brief summary: A young girl tells how she can’t wait for her hair to grow long. She explains how her ancestors grew long hair, as hair is their memories and source of strength. The girl shares the milestones of her life and how her hair grows parallel to those special events.
Comments: Readers learn why the young girl’s mother has always had short hair and what it means to have hair cut short in her Indigenous culture.
This book’s back pages explain the belief that hair holds strength and power and includes an Author’s note.
Rating: 4.5/5Â đź“—đź“—đź“—đź“—1/2
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Harriet’s Reflections
by Marion Kadi (Author)
Summary: An old lion is looking at his reflection in the water before it dies. His reflection is still alive and bored, so it wanders the jungle and comes across a house with a little girl named Harriet inside, who is very grumpy.
The lion follows Harriet to school, and when she comes to the next mud puddle, he jumps in and becomes her reflection. Harriet is surprised at how fierce and confident she feels that day and has forgotten all about her old reflection. Will Harriet ever want to have her old reflection back?
Comments: This is a French translation that was published in 2021. I found the book to be unique, creative, and well-written.
The illustrations are bright and have several large two-page spreads. I always like it when the end pages are decorated.
I sent me a complimentary copy to give an honest review.
Rating: 5/5 đź“—đź“—đź“—đź“—đź“—
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
Clara’s Big Discovery
by Don Tassone (Author), Jane Rytel (Illustrator)
Summary: Clara was eating her lunch at school one day when Mia said four words that changed how she viewed herself and others–“Your nose is big.”
Clara began to question whether there was something wrong with her nose, which caused her to feel bad about herself. The next day at school, she felt self-conscious and observed the people around her, noticing that each person had something a little different about them that she had never really noticed before.
When Clara arrives home, she realizes that everyone has imperfections but is still okay. Will she think that way about herself again?
Comments: I loved how this book examined the imperfections of different students and emphasized that it was no big deal, not something that defined that person.
This would be a superb book to read aloud to elementary students at the beginning of the school year to help foster and embrace everyone’s differences. I would ask the students if they knew what Clara’s big discovery was at the end of the story.
Rating: 4.5/đź“—đź“—đź“—đź“—1/2
Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.
*I received a free copy of this book.
Buffalo Fluffalo
by Bess Kalb (Author), Erin Kraan (Illustrator)
Brief summary: There was a big fluffy buffalo puffed up, acting tough. A goat, prairie dog, and crow try to make friends with him, but he pushes them away with excuses.
A big storm with heavy rain changes his appearance, but his three friends do not care, causing the other creatures to love him too.
Comments: I’ve known some Buffalo Fluffalo students who could have been helped with the bibliotherapeutic lesson of this book’s story.
Rating: 4.5/5 đź“—đź“—đź“—đź“—1/2
Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.
The selected children’s books are chosen by a highly qualified retired elementary school librarian, who passionately reads and recommends picture books to teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book enthusiasts.
Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is for the complimentary copies that she receives for an honest review, which are duly noted.