Books are listed by category, then alphabetically by title. Some titles naturally overlap and reviews are posted in all corresponding categories. This list will be regularly updated as I read more books and review!

For more accurate age ranges for the books I review, please research on your own but I gave my opinion on the age groups that could be most impacted and benefit from the content.

My growing Bookshop wishlist with recommendations for children is found here. These recommendations comes from a variety of sources including child development, DEIA, education, and librarian experts.

Topics include:

  • diagnosis education
  • diversity (beginner)
  • diversity (intermediate)
  • diversity (for normalizing) - more storytelling type education. These can be used as opportunities to show your child other cultures and people. They can also be used to educate (i.e. physical differences such as skin color are not a reason to make anyone feel different for it with our words and actions).
  • diversity (for BIPOC) - for children who may identify personally with the stories
  • grief

Find other lists and resources for children here:

Family Resources
Resource hub for caregivers ranging from grief and bereavement, socioemotional learning, trauma, and preparation for medical experiences.
Shedding Light on Child LifeAnisha Reza
Grief and Bereavement Books
Child life specialists are educated in grief, bereavement, and legacy building. Perhaps some of these books can help you to create a safe space for emotional expression and/or questions and dispel any misconceptions your child may have.
Shedding Light on Child LifeAnisha Reza

General tips!

  • Options to consider for finding books...
    • check out if there is a YouTube read along by the author or organization. Like Reading Rocket or Vooks (website, YouTube, YouTube Spanish, YouTube Hindi). Or try to find a preview online to help you vet any similar resources
    • consider supporting your local library!
    • if you do purchase, support your local bookstore!
  • Talk to your child's school teachers or librarians for their help on what might be available for your needs. They will stay more up to date than I can!
  • Even if it's not quite for your child's age group, some of the books can be powerful resources beyond the age group that are recommended. Of course, some will definitely be a stretch. However, it could be about framing the book as something you wanted to read together, or want to know what they think about it for a younger kid they know, etc.

Please Support Local Libraries and Bookstores! Find yours here

Even better to support a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) Bookstore! Especially when ordering books by BIPOC authors! My available recommendations are located in a wishlist for adults and a wishlist for kids. Get 20% off your first order through Bookshop below (learn about them here).

Bookshop Referral Link

Diagnosis Education

Educational books help your child grow a deeper understanding of their chronic illness or condition and provide opportunity for them to ask questions.

I Have Asthma, What Does That Mean? by Wendy Chen, illustrated by Izzy Bean

  1. Audience/age-range: preschool to school-age
  2. Topic: diagnosis education
  3. My commentary: I loved this resource on my clinical unit as it does such a great job providing developmentally appropriate explanations. I would give it to new diagnoses and those who had asthma for years but didn't understand why they were back in the hospital. I really liked to introduce it to chronic patients who were growing up with it and did not display understanding of what their lungs did/ asthma triggers.

The Lion who had Asthma by Jonathan London, illustrated by Nadine Bernard Westcott

  1. Audience/age-range: preschool mostly, also early school-age
  2. Topic: diagnosis education
  3. My commentary: This was a good alternative to I Have Asthma, What Does That Mean? by Wendy Chen that I would pass out on my clinical unit. I would give it to younger readers who did not yet have that cognitive level to understand their diagnosis but could relate to the characters and have fun with the lion!

The Special Kids in School series by Elaine Ernst Schneider

  1. Audience/age-range: school-age
  2. Topic: transitions, diagnosis education
  3. My commentary: I am only familiar with the "asthma" version but it provides a very friendly way to broach the topic of an illness and what can be a difficult transition of living with it at school.

Diversity - Beginner, Intermediate, and Normalizing

By regularly incorporating stories and images of diverse people and cultures, children grow as accepting, empathetic, and curious humans.

A Friend for Henry by Jenn Bailey, illustrated by Mika Song

  1. Audience/age-range: early school-age
  2. Topic: diversity (beginner) - autism
  3. My commentary: coming soon

Almost American Girl: An Illustrated Memoir by Robin Ha, illustrated by Robin Ha

  1. Audience/age-range: preteen to teen, especially those who may identify as an immigrant and/or enjoy graphic novels. Adults would enjoy too.
  2. Topic: diversity (for normalizing), diversity (for BIPOC)
  3. My commentary: The author wrote and illustrated this novel about her experience immigrating from Korea with her mom. Quick flex that I was actually gifted a signed copy of this by my fellow 2nd generation immigrant friend (thanks, R). Though Robin is 1st generation, I am half Korean and related so much to it. For example, Robin struggles with finding her place in school, in her new blended family, and in how her adult caregivers don't really give her support she desperately needed for the drastic changes occuring in her life.

Eyes that Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho, illustrated by Dung Ho

  1. Audience/age-range: infant to early school-age
  2. Topic: diversity (for normalizing), diversity (for BIPOC)
  3. My commentary: This award-winning book is one of many by this author. This book follows the story of a Taiwanese girl learning from her maternal caregivers how to see her own eyes as powerful. It's a lesson in loving yourself and your eyes! And how those lessons transfer to her interactions with her little toddler sister. It is full of beautiful illustrations with lots of light and color. Also see Eyes that Speak to the Stars.
  4. Extras: Read aloud with author

Eyes that Speak to the Stars by Joanna Ho, illustrated by Dung Ho

  1. Audience/age-range:infant to early school-age, especially for children identifying with physical traits children may point out at school
  2. Topic: diversity (for normalizing), diversity (for BIPOC)
  3. My commentary: This brought tears to my eyes. It is full of beautiful illustrations to normalize different homes and cultures (i.e. Bonsai tree by the mirror, sidewalk chalk art, Chinese chess game). Here, it follows the story of a Taiwanese boy learning from his paternal caregivers how to see his own eyes as powerful. And how those lessons transfer to his interactions with his baby brother. It's so sweet!!! Also see Eyes that Kiss in the Corners
  4. Extras: Reading Rocket read aloud video

Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry, illustrated by Vashti Harrison

  1. Audience/age-range: infant to early school-age
  2. Topic: diversity (normalizing), diversity (for BIPOC)
  3. My commentary: This one is well known so probably doesn't need much from me. A young Black girl decides a hairstyle with her Daddy's (and cute cat's) help. A lot of children with different hair textures learn very early on from dominant culture that the preferred style is straight, not kinky, etc. This book combats that idea for children so they know that the way they are, including their hair, is to be embraced, understood, and loved.
  4. Extras: Oscar-winning short film here

Hair Love ABCs by Matthew A. Cherry, illustrated by Vashti Harrison

  1. Audience/age-range: infant to toddler, board book
  2. Topic: diversity (normalizing), diversity (for BIPOC)
  3. My commentary: Board book accompaniment to Hair Love by same author/illustrator that normalizes vocabulary surrounding hair that everyone might not be familiar with! A lot of children with different hair textures learn very early on from dominant culture that the preferred style is straight, not kinky, thin, etc. This book combats that idea for children by hearing and seeing it in a positive, warm light.
  4. Extras: Oscar-winning short film here

Kimchi, Kimchi Every Day by Erica Kim

  1. Audience/age-range: toddler to early school-age
  2. Topic: diversity (normalizing), diversity (for BIPOC)
  3. My commentary: coming soon

Me and White Supremacy: Young Readers' Edition by Layla F. Saad

  1. Audience/age-range: pre-teens to teens
  2. Topic: diversity (intermediate) - I think this would be a great book to read with a parent or educator to work through together with the child. I believe there is a corresponding guide. There is also the adult edition.
  3. My commentary: coming soon
  4. Extras: Layla had a lot of great recommendations (both fiction and nonfiction) for young adults and adults that I have added to my Bookshop wishlists

My Dog Just Speaks Spanish by Andrea Cáceres

  1. Audience/age-range: school-age
  2. Topic: diversity (normalizing), diversity (for BIPOC)
  3. My commentary: coming soon

Say My Name by Joanna Ho, illustrated by Khoa Le

  1. Audience/age-range: infant to early school-age
  2. Topic: diversity (beginner), diversity (normalizing), diversity (for BIPOC)
  3. My commentary: Beautifully illustrated (it reminds me of the style of the famous artwork by Gustav Klimt called The Kiss) and encompasses the beauty of diversity in a children's book. It has cultural, linguistic, religious, ethnic, and racial diversity. There is also a pronounciation guide at the end which I thought was an informative and insightful touch. It felt like the magic of a Disney movie in a book for me.
  4. Extras: short interview with author, my post with reflections below

The House Before Falling Into the Sea by Ann Suk Wang, illustrated by Hanna Cha

  1. Audience/age-range:
  2. Topic:
  3. My commentary:

This Book Is Anti-Racist: 20 Lessons on How to Wake Up, Take Action, and Do the Work by Tiffany Jewell, illustrated by Aurélia Durand

  1. Audience/age-range: pre-teen to teen, especially those who do not identify with dominant culture. Adults too as a general introduction to anti-racist work, especially if you enjoy graphic novels.

  2. Topic: diversity (beginner) - explores topics of identity, race, ethnicity, terminology, and more

  3. My commentary: It reads really easily with lots of graphic illustrations and activities for reflection included at the end of each chapter. There's a glossary in the back but this is definitely a stepping block for you to "do the work" beyond this book. It reminds me of what a fun textbook would be like with historical lessons, eye-catching graphics, and engaging information. But it doesn't shy away from the importance of difficult topics, especially what it really looks like to take action steps of being a true ally. The title really says it all! If everyone were to take the contents seriously, I think BIPOC would have an easier time navigating society and slowly dismantling systemic oppression.

    On a personal note, I gained knowledge on a new term "Folx of the Global Majority" which I love. I also gleaned a lot of insight into how someone else who identifies as biracial, mixed, ethnically mixed sees themselves and how those categories have evolved with our own understanding of our identities and as terminology changes. The author doesn't like using "half" for herself because she wants to be seen as whole. But for me, I think it best encompasses me to say half-Korean and half-Bangladeshi, which actually makes me feel more whole to always mention both sides.

Diversity - for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color)

For children who may identify personally with the stories, this representation is immeasurably powerful for their growing self-esteem and identity as BIPOC.

Almost American Girl: An Illustrated Memoir by Robin Ha, illustrated by Robin Ha

  1. Audience/age-range: preteen to teen, especially those who may identify as an immigrant and/or enjoy graphic novels. Adults would enjoy too.
  2. Topic: diversity (for normalizing), diversity (for BIPOC)
  3. My commentary: The author wrote and illustrated this novel about her experience immigrating from Korea with her mom. Quick flex that I was actually gifted a signed copy of this by my fellow 2nd generation immigrant friend (thanks, R). Though Robin is 1st generation, I am half Korean and related so much to it. For example, Robin struggles with finding her place in school, in her new blended family, and in how her adult caregivers don't really give her support she desperately needed for the drastic changes occuring in her life.

Eyes that Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho, illustrated by Dung Ho

  1. Audience/age-range:infant to early school-age
  2. Topic: diversity (for normalizing), diversity (for BIPOC)
  3. My commentary: This award-winning book is one of many by this author. This book follows the story of a Taiwanese girl learning from her maternal caregivers how to see her own eyes as powerful. It's a lesson in loving yourself and your eyes! And how those lessons transfer to her interactions with her little toddler sister. It is full of beautiful illustrations with lots of light and color. Also see Eyes that Speak to the Stars.
  4. Extras: Read aloud with author

Eyes that Speak to the Stars by Joanna Ho, illustrated by Dung Ho

  1. Audience/age-range:infant to early school-age, especially for children identifying with physical traits children may point out at school
  2. Topic: diversity (for normalizing), diversity (for BIPOC)
  3. My commentary: This brought tears to my eyes. It is full of beautiful illustrations to normalize different homes and cultures (i.e. Bonsai tree by the mirror, sidewalk chalk art, Chinese chess game). Here, it follows the story of a Taiwanese boy learning from his paternal caregivers how to see his own eyes as powerful. And how those lessons transfer to his interactions with his baby brother. It's so sweet!!! Also see Eyes that Kiss in the Corners
  4. Extras: Reading Rocket read aloud video

Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry, illustrated by Vashti Harrison

  1. Audience/age-range: infant to early school-age
  2. Topic: diversity (normalizing), diversity (for BIPOC)
  3. My commentary: This one is well known so probably doesn't need much from me. A young Black girl decides a hairstyle with her Daddy's (and cute cat's) help. A lot of children with different hair textures learn very early on from dominant culture that the preferred style is straight, not kinky, etc. This book combats that idea for children so they know that the way they are, including their hair, is to be embraced, understood, and loved.
  4. Extras: Oscar-winning short film here

Hair Love ABCs by Matthew A. Cherry, illustrated by Vashti Harrison

  1. Audience/age-range: infant to toddler, board book
  2. Topic: diversity (normalizing), diversity (for BIPOC)
  3. My commentary: Board book accompaniment to Hair Love by same author/illustrator that normalizes vocabulary surrounding hair that everyone might not be familiar with! A lot of children with different hair textures learn very early on from dominant culture that the preferred style is straight, not kinky, thin, etc. This book combats that idea for children by hearing and seeing it in a positive, warm light.
  4. Extras: Oscar-winning short film here

Kimchi, Kimchi Every Day by Erica Kim

  1. Audience/age-range: toddler to early school-age
  2. Topic: diversity (normalizing), diversity (for BIPOC)
  3. My commentary: coming soon

My Dog Just Speaks Spanish by Andrea Cáceres

  1. Audience/age-range: school-age
  2. Topic: diversity (normalizing), diversity (for BIPOC)
  3. My commentary: coming soon

Say My Name by Joanna Ho, illustrated by Khoa Le

  1. Audience/age-range: infant to early school-age
  2. Topic: diversity (beginner), diversity (normalizing), diversity (for BIPOC)
  3. My commentary: Beautifully illustrated (it reminds me of the style of the famous artwork by Gustav Klimt called The Kiss) and encompasses the beauty of diversity in a children's book. It has cultural, linguistic, religious, ethnic, and racial diversity. There is also a pronounciation guide at the end which I thought was an informative and insightful touch. It felt like the magic of a Disney movie in a book for me.
  4. Extras: short interview with author, my post with reflections below

You are Not Alone by Alphabet Rockers, illustrated by Ashley Evans

  1. Audience/age-range: school age
  2. Topic: diversity (for BIPOC)
  3. My commentary: coming soon

Grief and Bereavement

Your child may be equipped with emotion language to describe their journey with grief by connecting with others' stories and words.
Grief and Bereavement Books
Child life specialists are educated in grief, bereavement, and legacy building. Perhaps some of these books can help you to create a safe space for emotional expression and/or questions and dispel any misconceptions your child may have.
Shedding Light on Child LifeAnisha Reza

Dancing at the Pity Party, a dead mom graphic novel written and illustrated by Tyler Feder

  1. Audience/age-range: preteen to teen who lost a parent/adult caregiver and/or enjoys graphic novels. Author self-identifies as culturally Jewish (particularly brought up with funeral rites). Adults would enjoy too (written by Tyler as an adult, 10 years after losing her mom). Recommend for child life specialists who want to get in the head of a teen/young adult coping with grief and to think about how our work can be so powerful in navigating those end-of-life moments from the receving side

  2. Topic: grief - loss of a parent, loss of mother, loss to cancer
    Warning: I think this would be a tough one to read when actively coping with a caregiver who has been diagnosed with cancer and who has a high likelihood of dying. Would depend on the kiddo

  3. My commentary: The author wrote and illustrated this novel grappling with her mom's cancer diagnosis and the journey of losing her quite quickly. Her mom was young (age 47) and Tyler was 19, a college sophomore, when she died. She was really close to her mom and it's a creative expression of her grief.

    While an "easy read" as a graphic novel, it's also hard and I called my mom halfway through to cry to her that I got so sad thinking about losing her. It addresses common themes and topics that we grapple with when losing an important person. But it also interweaves the pain of remembering someone with your favorite, silly, specific memories together. And their quirks. All of the mess. My favorite of this is how she misses her mom's handwriting. I legitimately laughed out loud many times too.

    I think the saying "a picture is worth a thousand words" was particularly powerful in this. A lot of ideas, coping, and feelings associated with grief are really hard to describe. But Tyler illustrates it in sad, quirky, beautiful, funny, and poignant ways. She also discusses what is helpful and what isn't when supporting someone coping with loss, from euphemisms to anniversaries to awkward conversations. I highly recommend it!

The Invisible String by Patrice Karst, illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff

  1. Audience/age-range: preschool to school-age (even preteen), child who has recently lost loved one
  2. Topic: grief - general
  3. My commentary: Centered around twin children who are told a story by their mother about staying connected no matter what. This is an extremely well-loved book by child life specialists to provide during end-of-life situations for families to help with the journey ahead of grief and mourning. It is imaginative with the fantastical places the string stays connected, even to loved ones we have lost. It can be a foundation for therapeutic activities and ongoing conversations
  4. Extras: look for The Invisible String Workbook: Creative Activities to Comfort, Calm, and Connect by Patrice Karst and Dana Wyss (an art therapist)

Please Support Local Bookstores! Find yours here

Even better to support a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) Bookstore! Especially when ordering books by BIPOC authors! My available recommendations are located in a wishlist for adults and a wishlist for kids. Get 20% off your first order through Bookshop below (learn about them here).

Bookshop Referral Link

Shedding Light on Child Life is an independent publication launched in November 2024 by Anisha S. Reza, MS, CCLS. All posts and resources are curated from this author's professional opinion and expertise. Any questions, comments, or requests can be directed via email to childlifewithanisha@gmail.com.