5 Books To Boost Your Child’s Self-Esteem and Confidence
Denise Vasi
As parents, we hope our children grow up to love themselves for who they are. We hope they find ways to appreciate the things that make them unique and we try to teach them to recognize and value the differences between them and their peers. Reading stories about characters that love and accept themselves is a great way to encourage your child to do the same.
Here are five books we love right now that will boost your child’s self-esteem and confidence.
"I Like Me" by Nancy Carlson
This book introduces us to a female pig who is her very own best friend. The young pig takes you along a day in her life showcasing all the wonderful things she gladly does on her own, including cheering herself up when she feels bad. She also points out features she likes about herself, like her curly tail and round belly. A simple but powerful children’s read that highlights self-confidence and self-love.
Stand Beautiful by Chloe Howard
A story about individuality, “Stand Beautiful” encourages readers to embrace their imperfections and to “rock your differences!” Written by teen Tedx speaker and CURE.org ambassador Chloe Howard, the Stand Beautiful movement is about celebrating what makes us all unique, being proud of who you are and standing up for others who might be different than you.
"The Colors of Us" by Karen Katz
Seven-year-old Lena wants to use brown to paint a picture of herself, after a walk through the neighborhood with her mother, Lena discovers that people come in all different shades of brown. From honey to cinnamon to chocolate brown, Lena and her mother match everyone in the neighborhood’s skin color to beautiful, delicious foods. An excellent book that explores and applauds cultural diversity.
"I Like Myself" by Karen Beaumont
An ode to self-esteem, “I Like Myself” encourages children to appreciate everything about themselves both inside and out. A fun tale about a little girl who likes herself no matter what. Beaver breath, stinky toes and all. With catchy rhymes and vibrant illustrations, this book will quickly become a story time favorite.
"What I Like About Me" by Allia Zobel Nolan
“What I Like About Me” highlights specific unique things about several children. From dazzling braces to distinguished glasses, this book celebrates orginality and acceptance. The mirror included on the last page encourages children to identify what they like about themselves most.