15 Self Esteem Books To Inspire Confidence In Students
When I was in the 3rd grade, I failed my vision exam on purpose. I desperately wanted to get glasses because a lot of my friends had them. Looking back, it seems so silly that I did that, and I feel bad for making my parents pay for the glasses (sorry mom!). But, behind that intentionally failed vision exam was a desire to be included. I wanted so badly to be like everyone else, even if it meant wearing glasses that I didn’t need.
I may have been one of the only kids I know to purposefully fail a vision exam, but I’m definitely not the only kid who hates being different. In fact, I’d say that nearly every child struggles, at one time or another, to embrace the things that make them unique.
Low self esteem is a common problem for kids, but my hope is that these 15 self esteem books will help your students feel confident and proud of who they are. They are great for individual, small group and classroom counseling lessons focused on building student self esteem and confidence.
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Be Who You Are by Todd Parr
Recommended Grades: Pre-K to 2
This book encourages readers to embrace who they are. Readers will love the colorful illustrations as they learn to celebrate what makes them unique!
Remarkably You by Pat Zietlow Miller
Recommended Grades: Pre-K to 2
In this book, readers are reminded that they have the power to change the world, no matter who they are! Even though they may be different than other people, they can still make a big difference in the community around them.
There’s Only One You by Kathryn Heling, et. al.
Recommended Grades: Pre-K to 2
In this story, young students will learn that no matter what they are like, they are unique. Kids will learn to celebrate the special things about their physical appearance, personality, interests and more.
I Like Myself By Karen Beaumont
Recommended Grades: Pre-K to 2
This book encourages readers to like themselves no matter what! It celebrates the good, the bad, and the messy. Kids will love the humor and the colorful illustrations as they are encouraged to have positive self esteem.
All The Ways To Be Smart By Davina Bell
Recommended Grades: K to 2
In this fun book, kids will learn that being smart is more than just being good at school. As kids hear about different ways to be smart, they will be encouraged to think about, and embrace, the things that make them smart! This is a great book to support students who have low self esteem because they struggle with academics.
Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell
Recommended Grades: K to 2
Molly Lou Melon’s grandmother teaches her to embrace her many quirks. When Molly Lou starts school, her peers don’t see her quirks as endearing as her grandmother does, but Molly Lou shows them that being quirky has its perks!
Perfectly Norman by Tom Percival
Recommended Grades: K to 3
Norman was a perfectly normal boy, until one day he sprouted a pair of wings. At first, he loved his wings, but then he began to wonder what his family might think about them. To hide his wings, he decided to wear a big coat, even though the coat prevented him from being able to do some of his favorite things. Finally, he realized that the coat was making him unhappy and decided to take it off. When he did, he was so glad to be free of his coat and ended up inspiring others to pursue the same freedom. This is a great story to remind students to embrace the things that make them unique!
Thelma The Unicorn by Aaron Blabey
Recommended Grades: K to 3
Thelma was a pony, but what she really wanted to be was a unicorn. Finally, she gets her wish, but learns that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. This is a great way to remind students to be content with themselves just as they are.
Rock What Ya Got! By Samantha Berger
Recommended Grades: 1 to 4
An artist draws a girl named Viva. The artist tries to change the way that Viva is drawn, but Viva isn’t going down without a fight. She loves herself exactly how she is and instead of trying to change, she wants to rock what she’s got! This is a fun story about embracing yourself as you are.
A Bad Case Of The Stripes By David Shannon
Recommended Grades: 1 to 4
Camilla Cream was afraid to be herself. She wanted everyone to like her. One day, her skin became striped in different colors and could even change to be what others wanted it to be. Things got worse and worse until an old woman found a cure for Camilla. Turns out, the very thing she was nervous that people would make fun of her for, was the only thing that brought her skin back to normal. This is a great book about the importance of being yourself no matter what.
The Name Jar By Yangsook Choi
Recommended Grades: 1 to 4
Unhei and her family just moved from Korea. When Unhei goes to school, the American kids don’t understand her name. This makes her feel uncomfortable, so she decides to choose a new name. Her classmates decided to help her by filling a jar with name suggestions. In the end, she realized that her own name is the best name for her. This is a great story to encourage positive self esteem in students who feel different because of their cultural or racial background.
Sulwe By Lupita Nyong’o
Recommended Grades: 2 to 4
Sulwe is discouraged by her dark skin. She wants to look like the other people in her family and at her school. After a visit from a shooting star, Sulwe learns that she is beautiful and important just as she is. Use this story to support students who have low self esteem because they look different.
Zero By Kathryn Otoshi
Recommended Grades: 2 to 5
Zero wanted to be like the other numbers. He didn’t want to have a big empty hole in his center, and he wanted to count. After trying to make himself like the other numbers and prove his worth to them, he realized that he does have value after all. This is a great book to help kids understand that they matter, even if they are different than the people around them.
A Little Spot Of Confidence By Diane Adler
Recommended Grades: 2 to 6
This book introduces your “confidence spot” which helps you to feel good about yourself and to be proud of who you are. Readers will learn ways that their confidence spots can grow, like having a growth mindset, using positive affirmations, trying something new etc. This book is a great way to give kids practical ways to build their self esteem.
Dear Girl By Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Recommended Grades: 2 to 6
This books encourages girls (and boys!) to embrace themselves and follow their own desires. Children will love the encouraging letter format of the book and its important reminders! For the boy version, check out Dear Boy by Paris and Jason Rosenthal
These self esteem books for kids are a simple way to make your social emotional learning and school counseling lessons more impactful. They are sure to help you give your students the tools they need to feel proud of who they are. Looking for self esteem activities to use alongside the books, check these out!
