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Self-Esteem: Resource List

Books for Children

Ages 0 to 3

  • I Can; by Helen Oxenbury; Candlewick, 1995
  • Disney's I Believe In Me; by Mary Lea Floden; Mouse Works, 1998
  • Little Mo; by Martin Waddell; Candlewick Press, 1993

Ages 3 to 8

  • 1-2-3, Special Like Me!; by Lisa Hauser and Dale Smith; Golden Anchor Press; 2004
  • ABC I Like Me; by Nancy L. Carlson. Viking Childrens books, 1997
  • Arthur's Eyes; by Marc Brown; Little Brown and Co., 1986
  • Cinder Edna; by Ellen Jackson; Lothrop, 1994
  • Dealing With Feeling Left Out; by Don C. Middleton; Hazelden, 1998
  • Everybody Needs a Rock; by Byrd Baylor; Econo-Clad Books, 1999
  • I Like Me, I Like You; by Laurence Anholt; Dorling Kindersley, 2001
  • I'm Gonna Like Me: Letting Off a Little Self-Esteem; by Jamie Lee Curtis; Joanna Cotler Books, 2002
  • I Like Myself!; by Karen Beaumont and David Catrow; Harcourt, 2004
  • Incredible me!; by Kathi Appelt; pictures by G. Brian Karas; HarperCollins, 2003
  • Leo the Lop; by Stephen Cosgrove; Price Stern Econo-Clad, 1999
  • The Mixed-Up Chameleon; by Eric Carle; Econo-Clad Books, 1999
  • My Book About Me; by Dr. Seuss; Random House, 1969
  • The Skin You Live In; by Michael Tayler; Chicago Children's Museum; 2005
  • When Lizzy Was Afraid of Trying New Things; by Inger Maier and Jennifer Candon; Magination Press, 2005

Ages 8 to 12

  • Anastasia's Chosen Career; by Lois Lowry; Dell, 1992
  • Body Talk: The Straight Facts on Fitness, Nutrition, and Feeling Good About Yourself!; by Ann Douglas; Maple Tree Press, 2002
  • Do Bananas Chew Gum?; by Jamie Gilson; Econo-Clad Books, 1999
  • Don't Feed the Monster on Tuesdays!: The Children's Self-Esteem Book; by Adolph J. Moser; Landmark Editions, 1991
  • Fourth Grade Celebrity; by Patricia Reilly Giff; Econo-Clad Books, 1999
  • Freckle Juice; by Judy Blume; Econo-Clad Books, 1999
  • It's OK to be Different; by Todd Parr; Little, Brown, 2001
  • Just Us Girls: Secrets to Feeling Good About Yourself Inside and Out; by Melissa Moka; Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2004
  • Let's Talk About When You Think Nobody Likes You; by Melanie Ann Apel; PowerKids Press, 2002
  • Middle School: the Real Deal. From Cafeteria Food to Combination Locks; by Julianna Farrell; Harper Collins, 2001
  • My Own Worst Enemy; by Carol Sonenklar; Holiday House, 1999
  • Someday I'll Laugh About This; by Linda Crew; Dell, 1992
  • Speak Up and Get Along! by Scott Cooper; Free Spirit, 2005
  • Toliver's Secret; by Esther Wood Brady; Knopf Books, 1993
  • Too Old for This, Too Young for That! Your Survival Guide for the Middle-School Years; by Harriet Mosatche; Free Spirit Publishing, 2000
  • What Makes You So Special?; by Eda LeShan; Dial, 1992
  • What Are Friends For?; by Rachel Vail; Scholastic, 1999

Young Adult

  • The Adolescent Self: Strategies for Self-Management, Self-Soothing, and Self-Esteem in Adolescents; by David B. Wexler; WW Norton & Co, 1991
  • Brave New Girls: Creative Ideas to Help Girls be Confident, Healthy & Happy; by Jeanette Gadeberg; Fairview Press, 1997
  • Don't Take It Personally!: The Art of Dealing With Rejection; by Elayne Savage; New Harbinger Publication, 1997
  • How to Say No and Keep Your Friends; by Sharon Scott; Human Resource Development, 1997
  • Jacob Have I Loved; by Katherine Paterson; Econo-Clad Books, 1999
  • Life Strategies for Teens; by Jay McGraw; Fireside Books, 2000
  • More Than a Label: Why What You Wear or Who You're With Doesn't Define Who You Are; by Aisha Muharrar; Free Spirit Publishing, 2002
  • Rainbow Jordan; by Alice Childress; Econo-Clad Books, 1999
  • Self-Acceptance: Building Confidence; by Robert Wandberg and Roberta Kaufman; LifeMatters, 2002

Books for Adults

  • Hearing Is Believing: How Words Can Make or Break Our Kids; by Elisa Medhus; New World Library, 2004
  • Helping Children to Build Self-Esteem: a Photocopiable Activities Book; by Deborah Plummer; Jessica Kingley Publishing, 2001
  • Parent Talk: How to Talk to Your Children in Language That Builds Self-Esteem and Encourages Responsibility; by Chick Moorman; Fireside, 2003
  • The Power Of Positive Talk: Words To Help Every Child Succeed: A Guide For Parents, Teachers, And Other Caring Adults; by Douglas Block; Free Spirit, 2003
  • Queen Bees and Wannabes: Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boy Friends, and Other Realities of Adolescence; by Rosalind Wiseman; Crown Publishing, 2002
  • Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls; by Mary Pipher; Ballantine, 2002
  • Raising Children Who Think for Themselves; by Elisa Medhus; Beyond Words Publishing, 2001
  • Self-Esteem for a Lifetime: Raising a Successful Child From the Inside Out; by Ingrid Schweiger; Authorhouse, 2008
Compiled by Catherine Smith, MLS, medical librarian at the Family Health Library, The Children's Hospital, Denver, CO.
Pediatric Advisor 2012.2 published by RelayHealth.
Last modified: 2010-06-04
Last reviewed: 2010-06-04
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.
© 2012 RelayHealth and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
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