All Dogs Have ADHD by Kathy Hoopmann — A charming, photo-illustrated book that uses dogs to explain ADHD in a way that feels validating and fun for young readers. Great for early elementary age.
Cory Stories: A Kid’s Book about Living with ADHD by Jeanne Kraus — Follows a relatable boy named Cory through daily life with ADHD, explaining the diagnosis in accessible, child-friendly language.
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Blue Bottle Mystery: An Asperger Adventure by Kathy Hoopmann — A graphic novel adventure story featuring a boy with Asperger’s. Engaging and affirming for kids who see themselves in the main character.
Different Like Me: My Book of Autism Heroes by Jennifer Elder — Profiles famous historical figures who were thought to be on the autism spectrum, helping children see their differences as strengths.
A Smart Girl’s Guide: Body Image by Mel Hammond — A thoughtful guide helping girls develop a healthy, realistic relationship with their bodies in a world full of unrealistic images and comparisons.
Dinosaurs Divorce by Marc Brown and Laurie Krasny Brown — A classic, warmly illustrated picture book that walks young children through the many feelings and situations that come with family change.
Ginny Morris and Mom’s House, Dad’s House by Mary Collins Gallagher — Follows a girl navigating life between two homes, exploring common feelings and questions in a reassuring, age-appropriate way.
Let’s Talk About It: Divorce by Fred Rogers — From the beloved Mr. Rogers, this gentle book reassures children that they are loved and not to blame when families change.
Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud — A beloved classic that uses the metaphor of an invisible bucket to teach kindness, empathy, and the ripple effect of our actions on others.
Grief
Bug in a Vacuum by Melanie Watt — A surprisingly profound picture book about a bug trapped in a vacuum who cycles through denial, bargaining, anger, and acceptance. A gentle, wordless way to open conversations about loss.
City Dog, Country Frog by Mo Willems — A beautifully illustrated, quietly powerful story about friendship and loss across seasons. Appropriate for a wide age range.
The Invisible String by Patrice Karst — Reassures children that love creates an invisible bond that connects us to those we love, even when they are far away or have died.
Tell Me, Papa by Marvin Johnson and Joy Johnson — A tender, honest book that answers children’s questions about death and dying in simple, comforting language.
The Fall of Freddie the Leaf by Leo Buscaglia — A classic story about a leaf named Freddie who learns about life, change, and death through the turning of the seasons. Quietly beautiful for all ages.
When Dinosaurs Die: A Guide to Understanding Death by Laurie Krasny Brown and Marc Brown — A straightforward, compassionate guide that answers children’s honest questions about death, funerals, and grief.
A Smart Girl’s Guide: Drama, Rumors & Secrets by Nancy Holyoke — Helps girls navigate the complicated social landscape of middle school, including gossip, rumor mills, and staying true to themselves.
A Smart Girl’s Guide: Friendship Troubles by Patti Kelley Criswell — Tackles the real challenges of girl friendships — fights, exclusion, and popularity — with warmth and practical advice.
Growing Friendships: A Kid’s Guide to Making and Keeping Friends by Eileen Kennedy-Moore and Christine McLaughlin — Written by a child psychologist, this friendly guide gives kids concrete, research-based strategies for building and maintaining meaningful friendships.
Solve Your Child’s Sleep Problems by Richard Ferber — The classic, evidence-based guide to understanding and addressing children’s sleep difficulties. A go-to resource for exhausted parents.
How to Get Your Kid to Eat But Not Too Much by Ellyn Satter — A foundational book on the Division of Responsibility in feeding — helping parents understand their role versus their child’s role at the table to reduce mealtime battles.
General Parenting
Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood by Jim Fay and Charles Fay — Practical, warm guidance for parents of young children on building cooperation, responsibility, and a loving relationship from the very beginning.
NurtureShock: New Thinking About Children by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman — A fascinating, research-driven look at what science actually tells us about raising children — often challenging conventional parenting wisdom in surprising ways.
Parenting Teens With Love and Logic by Foster Cline and Jim Fay — Applies the Love and Logic approach to the unique challenges of adolescence, helping parents raise responsible, self-sufficient teens without constant battles.
Parenting With Love and Logic by Foster Cline and Jim Fay — The foundational Love and Logic book, teaching parents how to set limits with empathy and allow natural consequences to do the teaching.
Transforming the Difficult Child: The Nurtured Heart Approach by Howard Glasser and Jennifer Easley — A strengths-based approach for parents of intense, challenging children that focuses on building inner wealth rather than managing behavior through consequences alone.
The Modern Trauma Toolkit by Christy Gibson MD — A personalized, science-based approach to post-traumatic growth that goes beyond traditional trauma narratives and offers practical tools for healing.
