Identity and Self-Esteem

The books in this list are written on subjects of confidence, self-acceptance, identity, and self-esteem that are very relevant to children’s life. It includes themes regarding positive self-identity related to gender, race, ethnicity, and culture. Building a sense of self-acceptance is the key to happiness. The attitude conveyed in these books helps the young readers to be honest about their strengths and weaknesses, stopping worrying about who they should be and instead focusing on accepting themselves as they are.

“To say “I LOVE YOU” one must know first how to say the I.”

- Ayn Rand, The Fountainhead

2-3

Molly Bannaky

McGill, Alice

Molly Bannaky faced hopelessness when she was exiled from her country and forced to work as an indentured servant. But the young girl's determination and bravery led her to freedom, marraige, and turning her poverty into a prosperous farm and future.

#Poverty #History #Hopeless #Injustice #Success #Determination #Freedom #Bravery

1-4

Paper Son: Lee's Journey to America

Helen Foster James

Fu Lee is raised by his grandparents because his parents are died. His parents spend their money on purchasing a "paper son" slot for Lee because they want him to have a better life. But Lee has to pass an exam to go to America and he cannot make a single mistake. He works hard on the test.

#Immigrant #ChineseAmerican #Paperson #Family #Identity #Love

Prek-3

Rock What You Got

Berger, Samantha

In this affirmation of self-identity and girl power, a drawing of a little girl comes to life, she boldly declares that she doesn't want to be erased, or put into a picture that doesn't feel like her true self.

#Feminism #SelfAffirmation #Confidence #Black #Feelings #SelfEsteem #StrongFemales #Gender #BodyPositivity

Prek-3

Jack (Not Jackie)

Erica Silverman

Susan learns to let go of her dreams of having a little sister and accept that Jackie identifies as Jack.

#Transgender #Gender #Family #LGBTQ #Identity #Siblings #Feelings #Emotions #Acceptance

Prek-3

Thunder Boy Jr.

Sherman Alexie

Thunderboy Jr hates having the same name as his father. Together, they come up with the perfect name.

#Name #Identity #Fathers #Family #Emotions #FirstNations #NativeAmerican #Indigenous

1-2

Dalia's Wondrous Hair (El Cabello Maravilloso de Dalia) [eBook - NC Kids Digital Library]

Laura Lacámara

In this whimsical bilingual picture book, Dalia's hair becomes a magical force of nature, a life-giving cocoon.

#Bilingual #Hispanic #Latinx #Cuban #Nature #Identity #Spanish #BodyImage #SelfEsteem

K-2

When We Were Alone

David Robertson

A young girl asks her grandmother about the Native American differences she adapted in her lifestyle. Her grandmother explains the importance of culture and how it was taken away when she lived in a residential school

Identity and Self-Esteem

2-3

Molly Bannaky

McGill, Alice

Molly Bannaky faced hopelessness when she was exiled from her country and forced to work as an indentured servant. But the young girl's determination and bravery led her to freedom, marraige, and turning her poverty into a prosperous farm and future.

#Poverty #History #Hopeless #Injustice #Success #Determination #Freedom #Bravery

1-4

Paper Son: Lee's Journey to America

Helen Foster James

Fu Lee is raised by his grandparents because his parents are died. His parents spend their money on purchasing a "paper son" slot for Lee because they want him to have a better life. But Lee has to pass an exam to go to America and he cannot make a single mistake. He works hard on the test.

#Immigrant #ChineseAmerican #Paperson #Family #Identity #Love

Prek-3

Rock What You Got

Berger, Samantha

In this affirmation of self-identity and girl power, a drawing of a little girl comes to life, she boldly declares that she doesn't want to be erased, or put into a picture that doesn't feel like her true self.

#Feminism #SelfAffirmation #Confidence #Black #Feelings #SelfEsteem #StrongFemales #Gender #BodyPositivity

Prek-3

Jack (Not Jackie)

Erica Silverman

Susan learns to let go of her dreams of having a little sister and accept that Jackie identifies as Jack.

#Transgender #Gender #Family #LGBTQ #Identity #Siblings #Feelings #Emotions #Acceptance

Prek-3

Thunder Boy Jr.

Sherman Alexie

Thunderboy Jr hates having the same name as his father. Together, they come up with the perfect name.

#Name #Identity #Fathers #Family #Emotions #FirstNations #NativeAmerican #Indigenous

1-2

Dalia's Wondrous Hair (El Cabello Maravilloso de Dalia) [eBook - NC Kids Digital Library]

Laura Lacámara

In this whimsical bilingual picture book, Dalia's hair becomes a magical force of nature, a life-giving cocoon.

#Bilingual #Hispanic #Latinx #Cuban #Nature #Identity #Spanish #BodyImage #SelfEsteem

K-2

When We Were Alone

David Robertson

A young girl asks her grandmother about the Native American differences she adapted in her lifestyle. Her grandmother explains the importance of culture and how it was taken away when she lived in a residential school

#Culture #NativeAmerican #Diversity #History #Identity

1-3

Movie in My Pillow

Jorge Argueta

A immigrant boy from El Salvador finds solace in his grandmother's stories after his family moves to San Francisco.

#BiculturalIdentity #Bilingual #Immigrant #ElSalvador #Poetry

1-2

Surprise for Teresita

Virginia Sanchez Korrol

A Puerto Rican-American growing up in New York is excited for her tio to bring her a birthday surprise.

#BiLingual #PuertoRican #BiculturalIdentity #NewYork #Community #Family

PK-3

I'm not a Girl

Maddox Lyons, Jessica Verdi

A transgender boy's journey to be himself, even though everyone is insisting he should be proud to be a girl.

#LGBTQIA+ #Transgender #TransgenderBoy #GenderIdentity #Self-Expression #BeingYourself #Gender-Expansive #Anxiety #Encouragement #Pronouns

1-2

It Feels Good To Be Yourself: A Book About Gender Identity

Theresa Thorn

A book that explains gender identy, taking a look at characters who are transgender, gender fluid, and non-binary and explaining their pronouns.

#LGBTQIA+ #Transgender #GenderIdentity #PronounUse #Inclusion #Self-Expression #Non-Binary #GenderFluid

PK-3

They She He Me

Maya Gonzalez

A presentation of gender expression and gender identity that teaches how to have a conversation about pronouns and how to identify your own.

#Diversity #Pronouns #PronounEducation #Self-Expression #GenderIdentity #GenderInclusion