The author sprinkles her personal experiences with an eating disorder into this well-organized self-help book. “It offers guidance and practical tools for those struggling with disordered eating and negative body image,” says an expert from the Child Mind Institute. The chapters on perfectionism, selfie culture, and clothing sizes are especially interesting. Action items include creating a self-soothing tool kit and creating a list of people you admire. Ages 9–14. Published by Feiwel & Friends.

Diversity advocate and mom Nabela Noor writes a moving story about a young Bangladeshi girl who wonders if there is something wrong with the way she looks. Her worries begin after she hears her mom, dad, and sister being critical of their own weight. At dinner, the girl tells her family that she wants to go on a diet, too. Surprised by her comment, the family discusses what beauty means. “The story has a wonderful message about looking internally for beauty, watching the things we say in front of others, and sharing kindness with the world,” says an expert from the Child Mind Institute. Ages 4–8. Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Henry, a boy on the autism spectrum, forgets to raise his hand in school and offends his classmate Daisy by using her Latin plant name, Leucanthemum vulgare. While his fellow students sometimes find him odd or annoying, a field trip to the local botanical garden allows Henry’s knowledge to shine and his classmates are wowed. “This beautifully illustrated book normalizes the common challenges of neurodiverse children,” says an expert from the Child Mind Institute. “It also highlights that a special interest can be a source of peer connection.” Ages 4–8. Published by Orca Book Publishers.

For Axel, who has autism, the sudden changes that a tornado brings are extra hard to handle. The storm damages Axel’s house and his beloved eagle’s nest. His dad comes back home to help with the damage. “The book provides a great depiction of complicated and changing family dynamics,” says an expert from the Child Mind Institute. “It features multiple autistic characters and discusses needs related to sensory and information processing.” Readers who are especially interested in birds, animals, or nature will enjoy this story. Ages 9–12. Published by Dutton Children’s Books.

This brilliantly illustrated story stands out for helping kids visualize anxiety and see how it grows. While playing at the park, Ruby discovers a worry — it’s depicted as a yellow blob with googly eyes that starts out small but gets bigger and bigger. Eventually, it stops her from doing the things she loves and she can’t stop thinking about it. But when she sees a boy sitting on a park bench next to a worry of his own, she starts to talk to him. Then both of their worries begin to fade. “Kids can easily identify with the images and simple storyline,” says an expert from the Child Mind Institute. Another notes that the story helps kids realize that everyone worries sometimes and encourages them to talk about their feelings. Ages 4–8. Published by Bloomsbury Children’s Books.

hrough mazes, craft projects, and dozens of other fun exercises, kids learn how to let go of worries and remain calm. “The book will help children develop emotional awareness and recognize their feelings and how they experience them,” says an expert from the Child Mind Institute. “From here, a wide range of practical coping strategies can be tried out, practiced, and mastered.” The Calming Sparkle Jar project is especially fun. Ages 8–12. Published by Sky Pony Press.

Cory tells readers about himself in this picture book with black-and-white illustrations. Cory says that sometimes kids make fun of him and he isn’t sure why. “Sometimes my whole body falls off the chair!” But readers also learn that Cory has persevered, concentrating in karate class, making friends at bowling club, and helping other kids with math. The important parting message: “Nobody needs to be good at everything. But I found out that I am good at a lot of things.” Ages 6-11. Published by Magination Press.