Child Esteem

Oscar the caterpillar lives in a flower pot in Cleveland. One day, a monarch butterfly floats by, headed for Mexico. Oscar learns that he will one day have wings too - but when that day comes, Oscar gets quite a surprise.

What if every child knew that the traits they might consider flaws or imperfections are their greatest gifts? What if they knew that what makes them “different” is actually their superpower? For that matter, what if every adult knew it, too? The Gift of Being Different is co-written by Monica and her 9 year old daughter Abigail. Inspired by Abigail's dyslexia diagnosis, this book explores the feelings that arise for children who do not learn in a typical manner and celebrates how those differences make them strong.

It’s picture day at school! While Vivie’s mother wants her to dress nice, Vivie hates all her dress clothes. Instead, she decides to dress in her favorite clothing, including a cat shirt, blue tutu, and purple cowboy boots. Will Vivie stand out in her photo?

Shelby has always been a shy little girl. No matter what she does, she is scared when she has to interact with new people. With the help of her brother and her superhero costume, will Shelby be able to be brave and have fun at the party?

Wilson is a worrier. His sister, Katrina, never seems to worry about anything. That is, until they get to the park.

In sixth grade, bad things can happen to good kids. Bullies will find your weakness and jump on it. Teachers will say you did something wrong when really you didn't mean to do anything wrong. The kids who joke the loudest can drown out the quieter, nicer kids. Maverick wants to change all that.

Join beloved picture-book creator Beatrice Alemagna in a touching and imaginative exploration of growing, changing, and learning how to live with—and sometimes, even love—the things that scare us.

Does the idea of meeting new people make you nervous? Do you worry you won’t know what to say to someone you’ve just met? You’re not alone. In this Pebble Emerge book, explore the reasons why making new friends can be scary and discover simple tips for facing this fear. Reassuring facts provide the knowledge young listeners need to face their fear of making new friends.

The important topic of personal boundaries and respect are introduced to young listeners. Straightforward text and examples help listeners learn how to advocate for themselves and who to ask when they need help.

Ollie is having a hoot on his roller skates—but Bea is full of excuses for why she can’t join in. Will Bea realize that real friends don’t mind if you sometimes look silly?

Mina sabe lo que hace falta para aprobar con éxito su próximo examen de cinturón amarillo en Tae Kwon Do. Sin embargo, los problemas de un compañero le quitan la confianza y la tientan a abandonar.

Milly is incredibly excited to go to Unicorn School, a school that accepts only the best and the brightest. There’s only one problem: she isn’t a unicorn! She’s a donkey in a party hat. Milly first feels uncomfortable but eventually learns that she and the others at the school have more in common than it might have seemed.

Who are you? How do the identities you hold—like your racial or gender identity—impact you every day? How do they impact others? These big and important questions are key to understanding ourselves. Part of being your true self means learning about group identities and how they affect our experience of the world. With kid-friendly explanations of key ideas and relevant scenarios, this text will help young kids explore their identities and how it shapes their experience.

Kamilla is an amazing singer, but she refuses to try out for the school musical. She simply can't stand the thought of everyone staring at her, when she sees herself as overweight. Led by her mom, Kamilla sees a doctor who tells her she's a healthy weight but encourages her to exercise to feel better, both physically and mentally. Will Kamilla's new habit lead to big changes, or is she stuck waiting in the wings forever?

Tall. Short. Big. Small. Bodies come in all shapes and sizes. They change as you get older. Making healthy choices, exercising, and getting enough sleep will help you be the best version of yourself. You only have one body, and it’s important to love the one you have.

What does it mean to be grumpy? Everyone feels grumpy sometimes. It's how you handle it that matters. Children will learn how to recognize their emotions and listen to examples of how to deal with them.

What does it mean to be angry? Anger may not make us feel good, but it's an emotion everybody has! Children will learn how to identify when they are angry and ways to manage their feelings.

Whether a child is living with a facial difference or struggling with bullying, this heartwarming story explores the ups and downs of growing up with a visible difference. Told through the lens of four children with a spectrum of facial differences, including vitiligo, port wine stain, Treacher Collins Syndrome, and cleft palate, this gentle story guides young listeners to build a healthy relationship with their appearance and better understand the challenges faced by others.

Katana longs for a family—people she can love who will love her back and teach her new and interesting things. Unfortunately, the first family to take Katana home brings her back to the shelter, where she feels lonely and abandoned. Then, Katana meets Ashley and Jacky! They teach Katana many lessons, and Katana reciprocates, teaching them many lessons in return.

When Cam’s family decides to go to a luau during their vacation in Hawaii, he decides to stay behind to play some video games in the hotel. Lost in gaming euphoria, Cam slowly begins to realize that the rumbling noises aren’t coming from the TV—the entire hotel is shaking. Cam glances out the window of his hotel room just in time to see the nearby “inactive” volcano explode.