10 Books to Help Kids Understand and Cope
By Laura Gilbert
3-June-2020
“Children’s mental well-being is often overlooked in times of societal turmoil. We want to assist the youth as they struggle to cope with their feelings of anxiety and fear. ”
We at the Foreshadow Foundation, are advocates for children’s literacy. However, in light of recent events, we have had to do some soul searching as an organization. After the outbreak of Covid-19 we created Book Fair in a Box. This allowed us to get books into the hands of kids in need, without any contact. Being a non-profit organization, we must be constantly evolving to meet the needs of not only the children we directly serve but the needs of kids across our country.
After the George Floyd’s brutal death and the highly covered protests by all the media outlets, we knew that the children in our society are experiencing a state of shock. Children’s mental well-being is often overlooked in times of societal turmoil. We want to assist the youth as they struggle to cope with their feelings of anxiety and fear. By being in quarantine during these events, the feelings we all have are being magnified.
Books are an amazing tool to teach kids how to cope with feelings of fear and sadness. By reading books with characters who are faced with similar situations kids are able to learn various ways of managing the current environment they are in.
With this is mind, we have created a list of books that we believe will help the kids in your life help handle the tension that has rippled down into their lives. It is easy in these times to become divisive, angry, and stressed. However, the children in our lives pick up on all of these feelings and their own world suddenly starts feeling insecure. Please remember that sometimes when we struggle to find the right words to help our kids, that many times there are authors out there who have already found the story to alleviate those fears.
The Invisible String
By Patrice Karst
Recommended for ages 5-8
Author Patrice Karst writes about an invisible string that connects people who love one another, even when they are not in the same place. Recommended by numerous school counselors and teachers, this book uses a wonderful metaphor to help children through anxiety and loss.
The Tin Forest
By Helen Ward
Recommended for ages 4-7
Ward teaches her audience how to create beauty out of dark and bleak surroundings. By using his own creativity, the main character decides to change his own world. This book will instill into your children the power that they wield in their own lives.
Listening With My Heart
By Gabi Garcia
Recommended for ages 7-10
Author Gabi Garcia is a mom and a licensed professional counselor. She uses both of these aspects of her life to write a compassionate book that teaches self-love. The main character, Esperanza, learns how to cope with her emotions while being kind to herself. A lesson that children and adults alike can benefit from.
Ruby Finds a Worry
By Tom Percival
Recommended for ages 4-7
One day Ruby, a curious little girl, finds a worry. By illustrating a worry as a yellow scribble that grows and shrinks, children are able to identify their own worries. Ruby’s adventure helps teach kids how to share their own hidden anxieties.
The Survivor Tree
By Cheryl Somers Aubin
Recommended for ages 8-12
An inspiring book that takes the audience on a trip of hope and healing. When an injured young tree is found in New York City after the 911 attacks, the tree is taken to a nursery to be cared for. Throughout the book we learn what time and love can do in our healing process. The beautiful words and imagery are sure to be a catalyst for meaningful conversations.
Guts
By Raina Telgemeier
Recommended for ages 9-12
Raina deals with anxiety, panic attacks, changing friendships, going to counseling, and much more. This relatable character is a perfect way to introduce therapy and the benefits of talking through difficult feelings. This graphic novel is a wonderful medium to reach kids who are struggling with too many changes at once.
SMoky Night
By Eve Bunting
Recommended for ages 6-9
Smoky Night confronts the topics of racism, prejudice and violence in an age appropriate way. By writing from a child’s perspective, the main character Daniel has to leave his home during a riot for safety. This thought-provoking book, allows adults to have an open conversation about what it means to live in a society made up of people from all backgrounds.
The Seventh Most Important Thing
By Shelley Pearsall
Recommended for ages 10-13
Arthur T. Owens is serving 120 hours of community service, helping the man he threw a brick at. The man happens to be the junk man, the last person Arthur wants to spend time with. Pearsall uses engaging characters to demonstrate how truly vital it is to get to know others in order to find common ground and discourage hatred. Through this unusual punishment, Arthur discovers kindness and optimism.
Help Your Dragon Deal with Anxiety
By Steve Herman
Recommended for ages 5-8
Author Steve Herman, covers topics from a new classroom teacher, making new friends, changes to the old familiar neighborhood, and moving to a new house. The characters learn how to best cope with their feelings of anxiety and fear. The illustrations make this book appealing for all kids.
STanley Will Probably Be Fine
By Sally J. Pla
Recommended for ages 9-12
Author Sally J. Pla, writes about Stanley’s struggles with anxiety in a heart warming and relatable way. Kids will be able to draw from Stanley’s experiences and learn from his bravery. Super heroes aren’t the only ones who show courage, sometimes it is the 6th grade kid trying out of the soccer team for the first time.