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Kids: Books and Reading: Picture Books: Tough Topics


Books to help children through times of transition and/or relate to others, with direct links to the library's catalog to see if they're available (and, if they're not, to request them). 

Topics currently include New Baby, Miscarriage, Death and Illness, Divorce, Bodies and Unwelcome Touch, Getting Along with Peers, and Feelings. Many lists are in progress, and more will be added.


New Baby


There's Going to Be a Baby J PIC B

I'm a Big Brother J PIC C (second copies at J 612.6 Co)

Lisa's Baby Sister J PIC G

Silly Baby J PIC F

Our New Baby J ER KU

Lola le lee al pequeño Leo J SP 468 MC

You Were the First J PIC M --a book to help a first child feel special in the wake of a new baby

Little Miss, Big Sis* J PIC R

Dino-Baby J PIC S

Benny and Beautiful Baby Delilah J PIC V --Benny warms up to his new sister when he sees her smile for the first time

Davy Loves the Baby J PIC W

Behold! a Baby** J PIC W

*specifically for girls whose families are expecting a girl

**from the point of view of a child, after a new baby has arrived, unable to understand why adults think everything the baby does is amazing 

Shelved in Nonfiction:

My Mom's Having a Baby! J 612.6 Bu --for curious children who want to understand how the baby's developing, month by month. Includes how a baby is made (not one of the gentlest treatments, and assumes the baby in question is made by male and female parents in a relationship), which may or may not be skipped.

Baby on the Way 612.6 Se --a reassuring, practical book with nice suggestions for things expecting siblings can do: try holding a doll while supporting its head to get ready for holding the baby; sing to the baby with your face close to mom's tummy; make a birthday card or gift for the baby--things to involve older siblings in the process and help them get excited. Assumes hospital birth and male-female parents. Does not include how a baby is made.

Getting Ready for New Baby J 612.6 Zi --a reassuring book about everything that's going to happen, step by step: how you might feel, visiting the baby in the hospital, how the baby will act when it first gets home, how your parent/s will still read with you, things you can and can't do with a baby, etc. Includes how a baby is made (gentler treatment than My Mom's Having a Baby!) Assumes hospital birth and male-female parents.



Something Happened J 155.93 BL

(Parenting Shelf in Children's Area)

From the catalog: "This book addresses the sadness that a child experiences when the anticipated baby has died. The child's fears and feelings of guilt are addressed as well as other confusing feelings. Perhaps most important, the book includes the family's experience of going on with life while always remembering their baby. The child reading the book is left with a sense of reassurance that life continues and he is still a vital part of a loving family."



Death and Illness

The Goodbye Book J PIC P A beautiful, simple book that will fit most situations: death of a relative, death of a friend, death of a pet. A sample from the text: "It's hard to say goodbye to someone. You might not know what to feel. You might be very sad. You might be very mad. You might not feel like talking to anyone. You might just feel like hiding. You might try to stop thinking about it. You might pretend it didn't happen...But eventually you'll feel better...You'll have days when you feel up and days when you feel down...Most of all, you'll remember how much you love and miss them...And you'll remember that there will always be someone to love and hold you tight." 

Saying Goodbye to Lulu J PIC D The perfect book to read to a child that has lost a pet, especially one that has aged and slowly become less able before dying (Lulu, if it matters, happens to be a dog).

Ida, Always J PIC L --A beautiful book, and the perfect book to read to a child that has a loved one with a terminal illness. Gus's companion Ida becomes ill, and they are told that she will not get well, but will die. The book covers how they spend their time together after the diagnosis, Ida's passing, Gus's grief but certainty that, though he cannot see her, Ida will be with him--always.

Missing Mommy E COBB (available via interlibrary loan through SELCO)

Always Remember E MENG (available via interlibrary loan through SELCO)

Grandpa Has Changed J PIC P --for those coping with a loved one's Alzheimer's diagnosis

Now One Foot, Now the Other J PIC D When Bobby was little, his grandfather helped him learn to walk. Now, after his grandfather's stroke, Bobby helps his grandfather learn to walk again.

Getting Along

...with Peers

Join in and Play! J PIC M

Making Friends J PIC R Families

The Day Leo Said I Hate You! J PIC H

Leo tells his mother that he hates her.



 Fred Stays with Me J PIC C


Daddy's Getting Married J PIC M


My Body Belongs to Me from My Head to My Toes J PIC M Focuses on unwanted, not necessarily abusive, touch--like not wanting to be given a sloppy kiss from a relative or be licked by a dog. Asserts a children’s right to always say no when they don’t want to be touched, no matter by whom. Does not address repeated abuse or mention body parts.

My Body Belongs to Me J 362.7572 St  For younger, not older, childrenWritten in simple, slightly sing-songish rhyme. In first-person narration, a child tells of being touched "in that place that no one else can see" by an uncle's friend, and of reporting the incident to parents, who tell the child they are proud that the child told them. The child also mentions knowing that a teacher would be another good person to tell if parents aren't available. The child is drawn in an androgynous way, so that any young child should be able to relate to them. Includes suggested follow-up questions and a list of resources.

I Said No! A Kid-to-Kid Guide to Keeping Private Parts Private J 362.7572 Ki A practical book that illustrates "green flag" and "red flag" behavior in a vivid (colorfully illustrated) way that a child can remember for future use. Discusses the difference between treats, bribes, and threats. Could be used with younger and older (up to age 9 or so) children.