Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman

Grace loves to act out stories. Sometimes she plays the leading part, sometimes she is a cast of thousands. When her school plans a performance of Peter Pan, she longs to play Peter, but her classmates say that he was a boy, and besides, he wasn't black...

Moral of the story: You can be anything you set your mind to!

Keywords: Self-esteem; Confidence; Family Support; Diversity; Social Justice

The lion inside by Rachel Bright

A bestselling story about confidence, self-esteem, and a shy little mouse who sets out on a journey to find his roar. In a dry dusty place where the sand sparkle gold, stood a mighty flat rock, all craggy and old. And under that rock in a tiny house, lived the littlest, quietest, meekest brown mouse. Fed up of being ignored by the other animals, Mouse wishes he could roar like Lion. But, as he discovers, even the biggest, bossiest people are scared sometimes and even the smallest creatures can have the heart of a lion! 

Moral of the story: Face your fears and 'find your roar'

Keywords: Self-confidence; Courage; Self-esteem; Friendship

I'm gonna like me : letting off a little self-esteem by Jamie Lee Curtis

Jamie Lee Curtis writes of the life of a boy and girl who tell about themselves as the story progresses. They talk about how they choose to like themselves in a variety of real-life good and bad situations like not running the fastest, making a card for a friend, and saying an incorrect answer in class. Even when they will be different from other people, they will choose to be true to themselves.

Moral of the story: You can like yourself no matter what the day brings.

Keywords: Self-Confidence; Social-Emotional Learning; Positivity; Self-Empowerment

Be Who You Are by Todd Parr

Picture book encouraging kids to be proud of what makes them unique, where they come from, and how they express themselves and see the world.

Moral of the story: Be proud of who you are inside.

Keywords: Self-esteem; Self-confidence; Self-perception; Individuality

Spoon by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Spoon is usually a happy utensil, but recently he has felt like being a spoon just isn’t exciting anymore. He begins to think that life would be so much better and more exciting if he could only do the fun things that Fork, Knife, and the Chopsticks can do. Spoon’s mama helps him realize that he can do great things that no one else can do like diving headfirst into a delicious bowl of ice cream. He learns to love himself for who he is.

Moral of the story: Celebrate what makes YOU special!

Keywords: Self-Confidence; Envy; Encouragement; Caregiver Support