Book List

All of these books are available for borrowing at the Tompkins County Public Library and are written for children age 3 -9 years old.

Picture Books

In the Blue by Erin Hourigan

A little girl whose father’s world goes from bright and yellow to dark and blue gets frustrated when she is unable to help him, but knows that together, they can do anything.

Balloons for Papa by Elizabeth Gilbert Bedia 

Arthur’s gloomy father rushes him through the park every morning, through gray and rainy weather. Arthur just wants a bright balloon from the park’s vendor, but Papa always says no. One morning, the balloons magically appear at their doorstep, and Arthur figures out the perfect way to bring the sunshine out and Papa’s smile back even if only for a few moments.

The Wave by Tyler Charlton

When a boy is swept up in a wave of sadness, he finds himself tumbling. But when he remembers that this sadness won’t last forever, and that the wave will eventually carry him back to shore, he discovers his friends and family waiting to gently pull him out of the water and back home.

Pockets Full of Rocks by Yair Engelberg

A young daughter presents questions to her depressed father.

The Princess and the Fog : A Story for Children with Depression by Lloyd Jones

Explains what depression is and how it affects people through a story about a princess and a fog around her that she cannot get rid of on her own.

The Whatifs by Emily Kilgore

Cora, always bothered by the Whatifs, grows much more anxious before her piano recital but a fellow performer helps her imagine what could go right, rather than wrong. Includes author’s note about her own anxiety.

The Worry Balloon by Mónica Mancillas

On the first day of school, Isla’s mind plays the what if game. Scary thoughts come, the world goes dark, and everything feels stormy. With Mami at her side, Isla takes a deep breath and blows her worries away in a big balloon. But as school gets closer, Isla’s worries come back like a tornado. Mami encourages her to imagine something happy, and Isla remembers there’s nothing she can’t handle.

Hattie Harmony : Worry Detective by Elizabeth Olsen

Meet Hattie Harmony, Worry Detective. She’s always there to help her friends when they need her. And the first day of school can cause a lot of jitters, from speaking in front of the class to taking the bus. Hattie always finds the perfect tools to calm her friends’; bodies and minds. But when her own fears start to bubble up, can Hattie learn to overcome them herself?

A Blue Kind of Day by Rachel Tomlinson

Coen is having a sniffling, sighing, sobbing kind of day. His family thinks they know how to cheer him up. His dad wants to go outside and play, Mom tells her funniest joke, and his little sister shares her favorite teddy. Nothing helps. But one by one, they get quiet and begin to listen. After some time, space, and reassurance, Coen is able to show them what he needs.

Children’s Graphic Novels

Growing Pangs by Kathryn Ormsbee

Eleven-year-old homeschooled Katie experiences the ups and downs of growing up and 6th grade, from bad haircuts and friendship breakups to new experiences, new friends, and a new understanding of her OCD.

Guts by Raina Telgemeier

Raina wakes up one night with a terrible upset stomach. Her mom has one, too, so it’s probably just a bug. Raina eventually returns to school, where she’s dealing with the usual highs and lows: friends, not-friends, and classmates who think the school year is just one long gross-out session. It soon becomes clear that Raina’s tummy trouble isn’t going away and it coincides with her worries about food, school, and changing friendships. What’s going on?

Children’s Chapter Book Fiction

Zia Erases the World by Bree Barton

Suffering from depression, a girl erases words from a magical dictionary, hoping in the process to also erase her sadness.

The Science of Breakable Things by Tae Keller

Middle schooler Natalie’s year-long assignment to answer a question using the scientific method leads to truths about her mother’s depression and her own cultural identity.

How to Become a Planet by Nicole Melleby

After an entire summer trying to figure out how to go back to being the person she was before her depression and anxiety diagnosis, twelve-year-old Pluto finds out that there is no old or new Pluto, there’s just Pluto, growing up.

Children’s Non-Fiction

Depression by Richard Spilsbury.

Explains the symptoms of depression, how it can vary across individuals, how to diagnose it, and ways to treat it and cope with it. The genetic risk factors of depression are explored, including how genetic therapy may help people with depression in the future.

The Worry (Less) Book: Feel Strong, Find Calm, and Tame Your Anxiety! By Rachel Brian

A young person’s guide to anxiety management that shares reassurance about how everyone gets worried sometimes and what to do when too much anxiety gets in the way.

Perfectly Imperfect Stories by Leo Potion

Meet 28 icons, including pop star Ariana Grande, Hollywood icon The Rock, sporting hero Serena Williams, and Prince Harry and discover how they have dealt with mental health issues to live inspiring lives.