Heartstrings

Being little is an endless parade of opportunities to conquer your fears. These selections show little ones what it looks like to be scared and muster up your courage anyway. Ages 4 — 8.

These poignant stories are all honest and gentle in their own way. Some tell stories of children who have experienced a loss, while some show children getting comfort from a loved one while grieving. Others tell about death in a matter-of-fact and child-friendly way, answering questions little ones may not have the words to ask yet. Ages 4 — 8.

From a child declaring her self worth, to a little girl’s dream of peace in her war-affected city, to the reassuring and beautiful stories from Nancy Tillman and David Litchfield, we think these stories are the best inspirational additions to your little one’s bookshelf. Ages 4 – 8.

These books show — through characters we can all relate to — what it looks like when our feelings bubble up, and it just puts us in a mood. It’s fun to watch as others deal with that prickly feeling instead of us. Ages 4 — 8.

Tug, tug. These feel-good selections open your heart and let the sun shine in. You’ll be pulling your beloveds in tight and maybe even blinking away a tear or two. Feel the love. Ages 4 – 8.

These books about death and loss are for older or more mature children. Lifetimes, one of our favorite books, tells the story of death in a metaphorical way, without mentioning loss. The Next Place is introspective and philosophical. The others explain death, grief and loss in a straightforward way that is appropriate for children who are ready. Ages 5 — 10.

What better way to support the idea of mindfulness and meditation as a daily practice than to have it included on our children’s bookshelf? These fun books bring relaxation and meditation exercises to young children in a practical and engaging way. Ages 4 — 8.

A well-written children’s book that touches on a specific topic can be a powerful tool to help children connect with adults around subjects that can be hard for children to put into words. These books are appropriate for younger children and can help bring validation and support. Ages 4 — 8.

Sadness, anger, fear, oh my! Open up a book and create a space for your maturing elementary child to reflect on her own feelings. These hardy selections are conversation starters and reality checks rolled into one. Best for Ages 8 – 10, though selections can be read with younger children who are developmentally ready.

Just breathe. Expose your child to the concepts associated with mindfulness and meditation with this unique curation. Kids relate well to being in the moment and will soon be using the techniques here to reduce stress and center themselves amidst the busy-ness which is modern childhood. Best for Ages 8 – 10 but appropriate for younger children who are developmentally ready.

Here we present more great picture books that bring up emotions that can loom so large for our little ones. These selections are for younger children, and although the feelings they recognize are very real, they are brought up in a gentle and lighthearted way. Ages 3 — 6.

Sometimes we are afraid. Of the unknown. Of doing something that makes us nervous. These books are about facing those fears head on, and not looking back. We look to these for inspiration and a reminder of what it means to be participants, not bystanders, in this tight rope walk we call life. Ages 4 — 8.

Rumination nation. Children have more reasons than ever in our modern times to worry — about the competitive nature of schooling, their performance in academics and sports in comparison to their peers, and the future of their planet — and become awash in anxiety. These picks may help them to unwind some of that anxiety and put it in its proper place. Ages 4 — 8.

Loneliness is such a big feeling, for all of us, but especially difficult for our little ones. Here are five great books we’ve found that address loneliness, some for older children and some for young ones. There are some real treasures in this collection, good to read any time. Ages 4 – 8.

Missing someone can be overwhelming at times, whether it is because a loved one lives far away and we don’t see them often, or because there has been a death. These five books explore the feelings that can come up when we miss someone, and offer some creative ways of dealing with them together. Ages 4 – 8.

Grief and loss are not subjects that are always embraced or talked about easily. Having a high quality picture book to read to our children is a powerful tool to help them to find words to express themselves, and to help support their grieving process. The Heart and The Bottle is not specifically about grief and loss, but is about big feelings, and about finding joy again after losing it. Others in this group are wonderful for younger children as well as older ones, and offer a very gentle and loving look at loss they can relate to. Ages 4 — 8.

Nothing pulls on our heartstrings quite like great children’s books about love. Many of us see ourselves as mothers first, and these books articulate what it feels like to have our hearts “walking around outside our bodies.” It’s a love fest and we love it. Ages 4 — 8.

Love is a topic that could be written about all day and all night. Explore these choices when you are in the mood to snuggle into that warm glow that emanates from the inside out — and luxuriate in sharing it with your little one. Ages 4 — 8.

Sometimes when we have had a lot to carry or a lot on our minds, it is helpful to just get quiet and enjoy a story that sets a quiet mood. We include here Fox’s Garden, with its wordless beauty and gorgeous paper cutouts, and Over and Under the Pond, which allows us to listen in on a contemplative conversation between a mother and son as they watch fish underwater from their boat. Enjoy these book equivalents of a warm bubble bath. Ages 4 — 8.