Book List: Self-Esteem!
- Jordan
- Jun 10, 2021
- 4 min read
Hi All!
We have all heard and seen it, sometimes in small ways, sometimes in bold statements that knock us backwards. The moment a child goes from being content in their own identity to placing themselves on a spectrum of ability, intelligence, appearance, etc, and finds themselves lacking. It can be heartbreaking to see a child discount themselves, especially when we as adults have poured love and care onto them. Whether it is a normal part of figuring out how we fit in a social group, or whether it’s an inundation of harsh cultural narratives, it is important to support a child’s self-esteem in a gentle and compassionate way so that they can become aware of their self-talk.
When I read these stories, I like to ask the students to think about how the characters are feeling about themselves. By practicing with other’s feelings, students will soon be able to think about how they talk to themselves and feel about themselves, as well. I also think it is important to us adults to pay attention to the subtle ways in which we treat ourselves with harsh messages and impatience. Children learn by watching, and if we can set a healthier example, it will help them see the “enough-ness” in themselves.
Click on the book covers to go straight to the Amazon listing page, and make sure to add your ideas in the comments below!
“Giraffes Can’t Dance”, Giles Andreae
Gerald the Giraffe is crippled by fear at the annual Jungle Dance, but with a bit of encouragement from an unlikely friend, he becomes the star of the show! I use this book to talk about being afraid, nervous and self-conscious, and how to address those feelings in order to embrace our true selves. And with a rhyming cadence and unusual vocabulary words, this text is a great one to read again and again.
“Spoon”, Amy Rosenthal
While Spoon compares themselves to all the cool things their friends can do, Knife, Fork and Chopsticks pine after all the special jobs that Spoon has. Touching on ideas of self esteem, identity, and comparing ourselves to others, this story is a go-to in my classroom to talk about the gifts each individual student brings to the group.
“Chrysanthemum”, Kevin Henkes
I. Adore. This. Story. Henkes’ sweet tale of a young mouse learning to love herself is what we all need to hear at some point in our lives, maybe when we are five… or thirty-five. But no matter your age, this book resonates. I use this book to teach about friendship, kindness, positive self-image, and transitioning to school. And once students become familiar with the story, it’s a great one to circle back to and have in-depth read alouds to discuss feelings and problem solving strategies.
“The Feel Good Book” and “Be who you are”, Todd Parr
Todd Parr’s message of acceptance and love apply to the relationships with have with others, as well as with ourselves. Addressing feelings, needs and wants, Parr allows students to see themselves in his stories in a loving way. When students acknowledge themselves in healthy ways, they can carry that acceptance out towards others.
“After the Fall”, Dan Santat
Santat, author of “Beekle”, delivers another poignant story about perseverance, determination, and facing our fears. We all know what happened to Humpty Dumpty, but in this book, we learn what happens “after the fall”, and in the process are inspired to try again, even if we fell before. My students often talk about their own experiences learning to ride a bike or swing along the monkey bars, taking a literal approach to the idea of falling and getting back up. When students make connections between the text and their own experience, you know they are engaged!
“A Bad Case of Stripes”, David Shannon
When we take in all that others tell us to be and feel, we can get all mixed up about what it is we really think… and then we could burst into rainbow stripes! Ok, maybe not, but the premise of this story rings true. When we have the opportunity to think for ourselves, we can find peace and satisfaction. What a lovely message!
“Ish”, Peter H. Reynolds
Help students say good-bye to perfectionism with this story about creativity and originality. Especially for students who have yet to experience experimentation, this is a lovely story encouraging students to try something, even if it isn’t exactly “right”, but instead is right-”ish”.
“One”, Kathryn Otoshi
Never have I seen such simplicity in illustration convey this multitude of feelings, but Otoshi’s story about friendship and bullies hits the nail on the head every time I read it. Regardless of age group, this story has all the right moments that capture children’s experience as they navigate peer relationships, and provide enough problem solving solutions to spark a post-reading conversation afterwards. Using watercolors, students can explore intensity of color, as well as the idea of movement as they manipulate shape forms.
“I Love My Hair”, Natasha Tarpley
Kenyana’s hair is beautiful, and each way she styles it reflects her unique personality. Hair can be just hair, but it can also be much more, and in a world where every child deserves to see themselves represented in stories, this book celebrates the heritage of hair and identity.
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