Top 10 Books About Depression and Mental Illness for Kids

Ages 5-8. A story of a girl who must learn to cope with the effects of her mother's depression on her life. A great tool for explaining clinical depression to your own child.

Deals with the topics of loss and change in a sensitive way.

Ages 4-8. A very positive guide for helping children cope with grief and loss.

This books explains the realities of death and offers three situations where children face a loss in their life and feel sad.

Ages 6-8. A child named Dora learns an important lesson of compassion and understanding when she meets her mentally ill neighbor.

Grades 2-3. Appropriate as as read aloud story for younger children. A beautiful illutration of the complex feelings of resentment and love that children may feel when a sibling is "different".

Ages 3-8. A great way to teach children about self-esteem.

Be sure to look up the entire series of "Dealing with Feelings" books by Elizabeth Crary for aids to teach your child about coping with various emotions.

The adventures of a kid named Joey who has Attention Deficit Disorder. 2001 Newbery Honor Book.

An art therapy and activity book for helping children cope with the death of someone special.