There's A Book For That
A short list of good books for dealing with tough stuff.
When I get anxious, or feel like I don’t know how to handle something, my first instinct is usually: “there’s a book for that”.
…So you can imagine how full my library has gotten since having a child.
In response to my latest anxiety spike, I have gone down a quick little rabbit hole of kid’s books that help work through some tough stuff during story time.
Also, I am sorry in advance that so many of these links are to Amazon - sadly, our independent children’s booksellers are limited in Canada and for better or worse, Bezos seems to carry every single book in the universe. I encourage you to look for these at your local bookstore or independent online seller!
Please also don’t hesitate to give me your suggestions or share your own experiences with any of these books - you know I need them.
KIDS BOOKS ABOUT DEATH OR SEPARATION
The Invisible String by Patrice Karst and Joanne Lew-Vriethoff
A story about how love connects us all, even when we’re not together. Shout-out to my wise mom friend Gil for this suggestion - here’s hoping it can also help with our morning daycare separation meltdowns.
I Can't Believe They're Gone: A kid's grief book that hugs, helps, and gives hope by Karen Brough and Hiruni Kariyawasam
A sweet bear helps a mouse family dealing with loss - haven’t read it yet and I am already sold.
Memory Jars by Vera Brosgol
Ok, this one has my heart because it’s both about food (specifically, preserving blueberries as jam) and memories.
Someone I Love Has Died: A Grief Activities Book For Children by Catherine Stephenson, Jenny Stephenson and Hiruni Kariyawasam
If my son was a bit older, I’d be adding this to cart too - it’s recommended for 6 to 12 year olds.
Also bookmarking this extremely comprehensive list by the Allina Health Cancer Institute.
KIDS BOOKS ABOUT GOOD BEHAVIOUR
We love “Teeth are Not for Biting”, “Hands are Not for Hitting” and “Feet are Not for Kicking” but honestly, any issue you’re experiencing with your kid - they wrote a very cute and practical book about.
Little Dinos Don’t Push by Michael Dahl and Adam Record
This is also part of a series with several books - in summary, my official stance as a parent is that kids love dinos and will do whatever they do.
See: parenting theory above. We have “How Do Dinosaurs Eat Food” but I really would like to own all of these because the illustrations alone are incredible and frame-worthy.
KIDS BOOKS ABOUT DONOR CONCEPTION
I've Got Dibs!: A Donor Sibling Story by Amy Dorfman and Darren Goldman
We have this one, and the story is great and catchy - it explains the process of conceiving a child using donor sperm, and the fact that donor-conceived kids have these cool “diblings” (donor siblings) all around the world. I do wish the illustrations were more colourful, but otherwise, a great age-appropriate state.
Zak's Safari: A Story about Donor-Conceived Kids of Two-Mom Families by Christy Tyner
This one has also been frequently recommended to us; it is specific to two-mom families so might not be the best fit for other families.
Hudson's Blueprints: A Donor Conception Story for Two-Mom Families by Sharon Leya and Janne Maru
This one is in my cart - so I can’t vouch for its quality just yet, but I can say that apparently the two moms in the story are architects so that’s hot.
The Pea That Was Me (series) by Kimberly Kluger-Bell
I love this one because there is a copy for almost any kind of situation - egg donation, sperm donation, single parents, etc.
KIDS BOOKS ABOUT SURROGACY
Happy Together, a surrogacy story by Julie Marie and Ashley Lucas
The Very Kind Koala: A Surrogacy Story for Children by Kimberly Kluger-Bell
The Kangaroo Pouch: A story about surrogacy for young children by Sarah A. Phillips and Laurie A. Faust
KIDS BOOKS ABOUT TRANSITIONING & GENDER IDENTITY
Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love
I have mentioned this one before because it’s truly so beautiful and subtle. Also, the idea of a grandmother supporting a kid’s gender expression alone just makes me happy.
Whoever You Are: A Baby Book on Love & Gender by Josephine Wai Lin and Sandy Lopez
One of my most deeply-held values as a parent is that we have to love our kids for who they are, and help them get there. This book is a rallying cry for that in the context of gender identity.
My Awesome Brother: A children's book about Transgender Acceptance
by Lisé Frances
She's My Dad!: A Story for Children Who Have a Transgender Parent or Relative by Sarah Savage and Joules Garcia
He's My Mom!: A Story for Children Who Have a Transgender Parent or Relative by Sarah Savage and Joules Garcia
What a coincidence - these are also a lot of my favorites!