Mental health challenges are becoming more common among kids, and it’s never too early to talk about emotions and well-being. Books can be a great way to help children understand and manage their feelings. Whether you’re aiming to teach emotional literacy, build resilience, or offer comfort, there are plenty of fantastic options available.
Today, we’ll explore 10 of the best mental health books for children in 2025, perfect for parents, teachers, and caregivers looking to support young minds.
Why Do Mental Health Books Matter for Children?
Children’s books about mental health do more than just tell stories—they create a safe space for kids to explore their emotions. Whether it’s anxiety, sadness, or anger, these books help children name their feelings and discover healthy ways to cope.
They also spark important conversations between kids and the adults in their lives. By bringing up mental health early on, we can help children develop resilience and emotional intelligence that will benefit them for years to come.
The List of the Best Mental Health Books Every Child Should Read in 2025
These carefully selected books address a range of emotional challenges, from anxiety and sadness to self-esteem and resilience, offering practical tools and relatable stories to help children navigate their feelings.
1. The Rabbit King: Kingdom Leporidae by Jim McEnroe
The Rabbit King: Kingdom Leporidae is a heartwarming story about Hare, an orphaned rabbit who struggles with confidence and belonging. His large feet make hopping difficult, and his self-doubt keeps him from enjoying life. Seeking change, he finds shelter in a castle, where the King recognizes his honesty and kindness. Given the chance to prove himself, Hare transforms from a lonely rabbit into Prince Hare, learning the value of perseverance, self-acceptance, and making healthy choices.
Through his life he finds love with Kristina before taking the Rabbit crown when the royal family dies. Through his story of transformation from orphaned uncertainty to wise leadership the book demonstrates to children that self-doubt can be surpassed to achieve greatness.
Through its lyrical storytelling and lovely illustrations the book provides children with a deeply moving lesson about how inner strength and confidence exist within each person and thus solidifies its position as one of the best mental health books for children in 2025.
2. The Color Monster: A Story About Emotions by Anna Llenas
A cornerstone in children’s mental health books, The Color Monster simplifies complex emotions for young readers through bold, whimsical illustrations. The story follows a friendly monster sorting his jumbled feelings, represented by colors: yellow for happiness, blue for sadness, red for anger, and more. As the monster organizes his emotions, kids learn to identify and categorize their own.
What sets this book apart is its interactive approach. Parents and educators can use the color-coded system to create activities like emotion charts or “feeling jars,” helping kids connect colors to their daily moods. The popular pop-up edition adds a tactile element, engaging sensory learners even further.
3. Ruby Finds a Worry by Tom Percival
Ruby’s story begins with a small, yellow worry that grows bigger and louder the more she tries to ignore it. This relatable tale from the Big Bright Feelings series gently introduces children to the concept of anxiety and the power of sharing their feelings. What makes Ruby Finds a Worry stand out is its visual representation of worry as a scribbly, ever-present companion—a metaphor that helps kids grasp abstract emotions in a concrete way.
The book also subtly addresses the importance of community support. When Ruby finally confides in a friend, she learns that everyone has worries, and talking about them can make them feel smaller. This message is reinforced through warm, inclusive illustrations that reflect diverse characters and experiences.
4. The Boy with Big, Big Feelings by Britney Winn Lee
This award-winning book follows a sensitive boy whose emotions—like excitement, frustration, and joy—feel so enormous they practically burst off the page. Through lyrical text and vibrant illustrations by Jacob Souva, the story normalizes intense emotions and teaches children that their feelings, no matter how overwhelming, are valid and manageable.
A standout feature of this book is its focus on neurodiversity. The protagonist, a child of color, reflects experiences often seen in highly sensitive or neurodivergent children, making it a vital resource for families navigating ADHD, autism, or sensory processing differences. The story doesn’t just validate big feelings—it offers actionable strategies, like using art or movement to express emotions, which parents can practice with their kids.
5. When Sadness Is at Your Door by Eva Eland
This groundbreaking mental health book for children treats sadness as a gentle, temporary visitor rather than something to fear. Through minimalist illustrations and soothing prose, Eva Eland normalizes sadness by showing kids how to sit with the emotion, whether by drawing, going for a walk, or simply giving it a name.
Praised by therapists as one of the best mental health books for children, its open-ended approach helps families navigate grief, transitions, or everyday disappointments.
6. My Magic Breath by Nick Ortner and Alison Taylor
This inspirational children’s book turns mindfulness into a playful adventure. Kids learn to use their “magic breath” to blow away worries, calm anger, or focus their minds. The rhythmic text and whimsical artwork make abstract concepts tangible, like picturing worries as clouds floating away with each exhale.
A standout in mental health books for children 2025, its adaptability shines: Parents can use the techniques during bedtime routines, school prep, or stressful moments. With prompts like, “What color is your breath today?”, it’s a practical tool for ages 4-8 and a cornerstone of modern children’s books on mental health.
7. The Invisible String by Patrice Karst
A timeless classic in children’s books on mental health, The Invisible String reassures kids that love connects them to others, no matter the distance. Originally addressing separation anxiety, its message now supports families navigating loss, divorce, or everyday goodbyes, making it a mental health book for children with universal appeal.
Translated into 15+ languages, its simple metaphor has inspired real-world rituals, like tracing “invisible strings” on wrists or creating string art.
8. Guts by Raina Telgemeier
Raina Telgemeier’s graphic memoir is a standout among mental health books for children 2025, tackling anxiety with humor and honesty. Based on her own panic attacks and phobias, the story follows Raina navigating school stress and stomach aches linked to worry.
Its candid portrayal of therapy normalizes it as a tool, not a stigma—a theme critical to modern children’s mental health discussions. The graphic novel format, with expressive artwork, makes complex emotions accessible to reluctant readers aged 8-12.
9. The Worry Box by Suzanne Chiew
Murray the Bear’s worry box isn’t just a story—it’s a strategy kids can replicate, making this inspirational children’s book in 2025 both engaging and practical. As Murray writes down fears and tucks them away, children learn that acknowledging worries is the first step to managing them.
With cozy woodland illustrations and a focus on sharing feelings, it’s a mental health book for children that balances comfort and actionable advice.
10. A Little Spot of Emotion Box Set by Diane Alber
This 8-book set is a powerhouse in children’s books on mental health, using colorful “emotion spots” to teach feelings like anger, confidence, and peace. Each story pairs relatable scenarios (e.g., sibling jealousy) with strategies like “listening spots” for calm breathing.
A top pick for mental health books in 2025, its structured approach aligns with school SEL curriculums. Free printables on the author’s website—emotion charts, coloring pages—make it a comprehensive toolkit for ages 4-8. As one of the best mental health books for children, it’s a go-to for building emotional intelligence in today’s kids.
Bottom Line:
Hey there! So, 2025 has rolled around, and guess what? Books about children’s mental health are more important than ever. They’re like little treasure chests, full of stories that help kids figure out their feelings and learn how to handle life’s ups and downs.
The list of children’s books includes The Rabbit King: Kingdom Leporidae alongside The Invisible String which provides different reading perspectives to young readers. Sharing these stories with your little ones? You’re giving them the know-how to understand their emotions, tackle challenges, and bounce back stronger. It’s like giving them a superhero toolkit!