Embracing Differences in Yourself: Building Self-Esteem

Children notice everything. They meet and see new people every day, and notice all of the similarities and differences among themselves and others, which can contribute to a child’s self-image. Here are some ideas on how to build confidence in your child and help them love the skin they are in.

Every child is special in their own way, and the books listed here showcase diversity and uniqueness. Reading stories with diverse characters opens up a new world for children. Characters may face similar obstacles as your child, and can help them view challenges from a different perspective. Making children feel strong and important, and encouraging them to try new things, aids in their growth and development. Affirm your child, listen to your child, play with your child, and read with your child. Here are a few titles to share with your children:

The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi – What’s in a name? The name you are given at birth is just for you, and holds lots of meaning. Unhei moved to the United States from Korea, and she was teased about her Korean name. The story explores her feelings about choosing an American name or using her Korean name.

The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig – Everyone stands out in class, but Brian seems to disappear. He’s not sure why he’s always alone, but when a new kid comes to class, he gathers his courage and tries to make a friend. This is a great story about dealing with anxiety and building the courage to talk to others.

I’m Gonna Like Me: Letting Off a Little Self-Esteem by Jamie Lee Curtis – The kids in this book exude confidence throughout! From missing teeth to reciting the alphabet, this is a story of bravery and loving yourself. Also available on Hoopla.

Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry – In this charming story, a young girl talks about her versatile, kinky hair and how dad swoops in to rescue it. It is a wonderful daddy and daughter bonding tale. Also available as an audiobook on Hoopla.

The Good Egg by Jory John – Sometimes the pressure of being perfect can make you crack! This egg is surrounded by some bad eggs, and he finds himself struggling with self-care. Learn how he deals with the stress and finds balance in this book. Also available as an audiobook on Hoopla.

Islandborn by Junot Diaz – A young Dominican girl needs to draw a picture of the country she is from. She has a hard time remembering what it looked like, so she walks the neighborhood gathering stories about her home island that help her create a vision of the place she’s proud to be from.

For even more books, check out our Incredible Me! OverDrive collection.