Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest LinkedIn YouTube TikTok
    • Home
    • Submission Guidelines
    • Advertise
    • Mentorship
    • Editing Services
    • About
    • Contact
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest TikTok
    The Children's Book Review
    Subscribe
    • Books by Subject
    • Books by Age
      • Ages 0-3, Infant and Toddler
      • Ages 4-8, Preschool to Elementary
      • Ages 9-12, Preteen and Tween
      • Ages 12+, Teen and Young Adult
      • Books for First Grade Readers
      • Books for Second Grade Readers
      • Books for Third Grade Readers
    • Favorites
      • Diverse and Inclusive Books
      • Books About Activism
      • Best Books for Kids
      • Star Wars Books
      • Board Books
      • Books About Mindfulness
      • Dr. Seuss Books
    • Showcase
    • Interviews
      • Growing Readers Podcast
      • Author Interviews and Q&A
      • Illustrator Interviews
    • Kids’ Book Giveaways
    • Directory
    • Podcast
    The Children's Book Review

    5 Books For Raising Happy, Calm, and Resilient Kids

    Bianca SchulzeBy Bianca Schulze5 Mins Read Ages 0-3 Ages 4-8 Best Kids Stories Book Lists Health Picture Books Social Emotional
    Book art
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    Sponsored*, All Opinions Are Our Own | The Children’s Book Review

    Wouldn’t it be nice if all kids came with their very own personal manual? The kind of manual that is filled with personalized, troubleshooting ideas for the days when things feel a bit tougher than usual. Well, as we all know, they do not come with such a guidebook. Caregivers and their children must find their way together, weathering the emotional storms that are covertly inviting us to look for hidden rainbows.

    What if we told you that the following books listed here are like mini manuals for helping us raise happy, calm, and resilient kids? It is the truth! These books are like finding a little pot of gold at the end of the rainbow … they are wonderful choices for helping children (not to mention adults) understand that they hold the power within themselves to maneuver their way through the inevitable ups and downs of life.

    Take a breath. Inhale. Exhale. Read your way to a calmer day …

    Breathe with MeBreathe with Me: Using Breath to Feel Strong, Calm, and Happy

    Written by Mariam Gates

    Illustrated by Sarah Jane Hinder

    Our breath is our own special superpower—the answer to finding our calm—but it can feel tricky to master in a minute of mayhem. Unless you have a copy of Breathe with Me, that is! This lushly illustrated picture book is filled with delightful breathing practices that will have kids readily inhaling and exhaling … feeling calmer in no time. Practice them all or pick a favorite. Either way, readers of this excellent book will be equipped with just the right tool for easing a worrying or stormy moment. Since we already talked about rainbows above, you’ll be happy to know that one of the breathing practices is Rainbow Breath.

    Spread-6_Text_RainbowBreatheExercise
    Breathe with Me Using Breath to Feel Strong Calm and Happy Sounds True 2019 written by Mariam Gates and illustrated by Sarah Jane Hinder

    Order a Copy Now: Indiebound | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

    Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Sounds True | January 1, 2019 | ISBN-13: 978-1683640301

    I Am Human- A Book of EmpathyI Am Human: A Book of Empathy

    Written by Susan Verde

    Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds

    I Am Human: A Book of Empathy is an insightful exploration of empathy, perfect for young readers (and older readers).

    It’s human to feel sad. It’s human to make mistakes. It’s human to be fearful. It’s powerful to know that we can make impactful choices, we can say sorry, we can dream big, and we can find our way when we move forward. That’s exactly what readers will get to take away from this enlightening picture book. When we make connections through empathy, we can build strong and happy relationships with others and ourselves.

    Order a Copy Now: Indiebound | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

    Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Harry N. Abrams | October 2, 2018 | ISBN-13: 978-1419731655

    How to Be a LionHow to Be a Lion

    Written and Illustrated by Ed Vere

    If one of the keys to raising resilient children is imparting the message of staying true to ourselves, How to Be a Lion is a great way to showcase this. Leonard and Marianne, a lion and a duck, are unlikely friends. Leonard is taunted by a pack of bullying lions because he doesn’t conform to the thought that there is only “one way to be a lion.” Leonard finds his voice, stands up to the bullies, and imparts the message that there is more than one way to be a lion. This tale is both gentle and empowering—a winning combination for such a book.

    Order a Copy Now: Indiebound |  Amazon | Barnes and Noble

    Ages 2-5 | Publisher: Doubleday Books for Young Readers | June 26, 2018 | ISBN-13: 978-0525578055

    The Unbudgeable CurmudgeonThe Unbudgeable Curmudgeon

    Written by Matthew Burgess

    Illustrated by Fiona Woodcock

    This picture book takes on grouchiness in a fun way! What do you do when you’re feeling an unshakable kind of grouchiness? How do you move from grumpy to happy? Some people will try to change the subject on you, while others will try to feed you food. What about the hugger that tries to hug you before you are ready. SPACE PLEASE! A favorite song, maybe? A little dance?

    Sometimes (more often than not), it’s just as simple as feeling the feels and then letting them settle. Besides, you could likely feel grumpy and happy and grumpy and then happy again all in one day. Could the path to happiness be accepting grouchiness and allowing it to pass? The illustrations delightfully capture some sibling rivalry—in combination with hand-cut rubber stamps, stencils, and pencil line work, the use of children’s blow pens has been used for a splattering and satisfying curmudgeonly effect.

    Order a Copy Now: Indiebound | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

    Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers | March 12, 2019 | ISBN-13: 978-0399556623

    Meditate with Me- A Step-By-Step Mindfulness JourneyMeditate with Me: A Step-By-Step Mindfulness Journey

    Written by Mariam Gates

    Illustrated by Margarita Surnaite

    Ok, so we know that Breathe with Me (above) is a must have! But what if your little one is ready to take their breath to the next level? Mediate with Me is a great introductory guide that takes kids, step-by-step, on a fun journey of mediation and mindfulness—wonderfully calming mood boosters that get kids in-touch with their bodies and feelings.

    “Breathe in, and fill your whole body. Breathe out, and relax your whole body.”

    Order a Copy Now: Indiebound | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

    Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Dial Books | August 29, 2017 | ISBN-13: 978-0399186615

    Spread-12_Text_BellyBreath
    Breathe with Me Using Breath to Feel Strong Calm and Happy Sounds True 2019 written by Mariam Gates and illustrated by Sarah Jane Hinder

    Header image from Breathe with Me (Sounds True, 2019). The article 5 Books For Raising Happy, Calm, and Resilient Kids was curated by The Children’s Book Review and sponsored* by Sounds True. For similar books and articles, follow along with our content tagged with Emotional Intelligence, Happiness, Mariam Gates, Mental Health, Picture Books, Sarah Jane Hinder, Social-Emotional, and Sounds True.

    What to Read Next:

    1. 34 of the Best Picture Books of 2019, so Far
    2. The Best Picture Books of 2018
    3. Best New Picture Books | June 2018
    4. 5 Books to Help Kids Find Calm Through Breathing and Visualization

    *Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links that share some commission. Rest assured that these will not affect the cost of any products and services promoted here. Our team always provides their authentic opinion in all content published on this site.

    Dial books Doubleday Books for Young Readers Ed Vere Emotional Intelligence Fiona Woodcock Happiness Harry N. Abrams Knopf Books for Young Readers Margarita Surnaite Mariam Gates Matthew Burgess Mental Health Mindfulness Peter H. Reynolds Picture Books Sarah Jane Hinder Social-Emotional Sounds True Susan Verde
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleKids Book Trends on The Children’s Book Review | February 2019
    Next Article I’m Sad, by Michael Ian Black | Book Review
    Bianca Schulze
    • Website
    • Facebook
    • X (Twitter)
    • LinkedIn

    Bianca Schulze is the founder of The Children’s Book Review. She is a reader, reviewer, mother and children’s book lover. She also has a decade’s worth of experience working with children in the great outdoors. Combined with her love of books and experience as a children’s specialist bookseller, the goal is to share her passion for children’s literature to grow readers. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, she now lives with her husband and three children near Boulder, Colorado.

    3 Comments

    1. Diana Corbitt on March 3, 2019 1:03 pm

      Hi,
      I would love if you considered one of my books for review. They’re part of a series, but the second stands alone. Here are the promo videos for you to consider. Thanks for your time.

      Diana Corbitt

      Reply
    2. Diana Corbitt on March 3, 2019 1:04 pm

      Wondering how you select the books you review. Do you take requests?

      Reply
      • Bianca Schulze on March 4, 2019 12:27 pm

        Thank you for your interest in The Children’s Book Review. To submit your book(s) for an editorial review, please follow our submission guidelines: https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/media-kit/submission-guidlines.

        Reply
    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    TCBR Supporter
    Recent Articles
    • 5 Stunning Summer-Themed Audiobooks for Ages 4 and Up
    • My Love for You Is Like the Night Sky | Awareness Tour
    • What Do You Do with Your Poo? | Book Review
    • Oliver’s Shadow, by Martin Knight-Yeager | Book Review
    • Hi! I’m Cher. I Go Everywhere: A Mindfuless Book For Children & Their Grownups | Dedicated Review
    TCBR Supporters
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today

    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    Discover Kids Books by Age
    Best Books For Kids
    Media Kit: The Children's Book Review
    Author and Illustrator Showcase
    SEARCH
    BOOKS BY SUBJECT
    Archives
    Professional Resources

    Book Marketing Campaigns

    Writing Coaches and Editing Services

    Mentorship

    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest YouTube LinkedIn TikTok
    • Submission Guidelines
    • Policies
    • Advertise
    • TCBR Buzzworthy Mentions
    • About TCBR
    © 2025 The Children’s Book Review. All rights reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.