13 Youth Mental Health - Celebrating Youth Mental Health day with the best in self-help books

Youth Mental Health

The 7th September is Youth Mental Health Day, so we asked Georgina Atwell from Toppsta, one of the UK’s leading children’s book review sites to share 10 of their favourite books that support youth mental health

We are all aware that looking after our mental health has never been more important. Books are a fantastic way to help children with anxiety and to spark conversations about mental health in general. Check out these book recommendations by Toppsta

Rain Before Rainbows by Smriti Halls and illustrated by David Litchfi eld is a really reassuring picture book about a girl and a fox. Th e illustrations are beautiful and it has a really clear message about not giving up hope.

Th e Problem with Problems

by Rachel Rooney and Zehra Hicks is a bright and fun picture book that will get children talking about their problems. It’s a great conversation starter and encourages children to look at problems from diff erent perspectives.

Ruby’s Worry: A big Bright Feelings Book. Th is is a fantastic series by Tom Percival and this book cleverly captures how important it is to acknowledge our worries and not ignore them, if we want them to disappear.

Rainbow Magic: Ivy the

Worry Fairy. Th is a great chapter book for ages 5+ in this incredibly popular series by Daisy Meadows. Th e stories are very gentle and introduce various techniques for dealing with worries, including mindfulness.

You Are Awesome is an inspiring non-fi ction title written by the journalist Matthew Syed. It’s a great book for showing children 8+ that no-one is born talented, and that by changing how you view yourself, you can achieve anything.

Worst. Holiday. Ever.

written by Charlie Higson is a funny story for children aged 10+ about a boy called Stan who writes a list of the 30 reasons why he’s terrifi ed of going on holiday with his friend Felix. Th e Worries by Jion Sheibani, shows what happens when your worry doodles come to life. Funny and warm-hearted, this is a great book with lovely illustrations, for ages 7+

Jelly by Jo Cotterill was nominated for the CILIP Carnegie medal and deservedly so. It’s a great book for any child starting secondary school with a strong message about daring to show the real you and accepting who you are.

Truth Pixie by the brilliant Matt Haig is a really sweet, rhyming story about a very special pixie who is cursed with telling the truth. With gorgeous illustrations by Chris Mould, this book is perfect for ages 7+

Looking After Your

Mental Health is, as you would expect from Usborne, an excellent reference book with lots of practical advice covering a variety of issues around friendship, social media, bullying and eating disorders.

To read book reviews and recommendations for the latest children’s books, visit Toppsta.com