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It’s Mental Health Awareness Month, and I’ve been thinking about this question: What if we could help kids name the invisible?

The racing heart. The scary thoughts. The “off” feeling they can’t explain. What if the right picture book could make those things feel just a little more seen, a little less scary?

Mental health challenges often show up quietly in kids. They might not say “I’m anxious.” Instead they say “My tummy hurts.” They don’t say “Mom, I think I have OCD.” They say (or only think silently to themselves), “I have to do it again or something bad might happen.”

But naming what’s happening is powerful. It’s a step toward safety, confidence, and support. Each of the books below doesn’t just explain a diagnosis or symptom—it gives kids a deeper understanding and language that they can carry with them. Whether your child is experiencing these challenges or just learning about them, these stories matter.

1. Intrusive Thoughts

Just a Thought by Jason Gruhl

Some kids think, “If I had that thought, it must mean something about me.”

This book untangles that fear. It helps kids see that thoughts are just… thoughts. None of them define who we are. A powerful read for children navigating intrusive thoughts or early signs of anxiety disorders.

2. Phobias (including Emetophobia)

Tummy Troubles: Gretchen Gets a GRIP on Her Fear of Throwing Up by Jaime Roche

Some kids avoid parties, trips, or new foods—not because they’re picky or shy, but because they’re afraid.

This book introduces kids to Gretchen, who’s terrified of throwing up (emetophobia). With tools like the GRIP method and therapist-backed strategies, this is an empowering read for kids learning to manage phobias.

3. Panic + Anxiety

How to Train Your Amygdala by Anna Housley Juster

Some kids freeze, flee, or melt down—and feel ashamed or embarassed afterward, not knowing why it happened.

This book explains the role of the amygdala and teaches strategies for calming fight-flight-freeze reactions. Informative but accessible, it’s a great pick for kids who experience panic, anxiety, and other forms of dysregulation.

4. Trauma / PTSD

Big Bear Was Not the Same by Joanna Rowland

Some kids seem okay after something scary happens—until they aren’t.
Others change overnight, and nobody knows why.

Big Bear survives a forest fire, but afterward, Little Bear notices his friend just isn’t the same. This tender story introduces kids to the signs of trauma and the healing power of friendship and understanding. Quiet and affirming, it opens space for conversations many families need.

5. Depression

A Blue Kind of Day by Rachel Tomlinson

Some kids withdraw, go quiet, and seem unreachable—and it’s not just a bad mood.

This book is about a child who’s having a deeply sad day. His family tries everything to cheer him up, but nothing works—until they stop trying to “fix” and simply listen. It’s a beautiful example what it can look like to show up for a child with depression.

6. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Malik’s Number Thoughts: A Story About OCD by Natalie Rompella

Some kids feel stuck in loops—repeating, counting, checking, trying to feel “just right.”
They may know it doesn’t make sense. But they feel like they have to do it.

Malik’s brain tells him everything must happen in counts of four. He wants to enjoy his friend’s birthday party, but his OCD keeps getting in the way. This book shows kids with OCD that they’re not alone—and that help is available.

Books can’t cure mental illness. But they can help us understand it. They can spark important conversations. They can help connect kids and families to the appropriate supports. They can remind kids: “You are not broken. You are not alone.”

And sometimes, that’s the most powerful thing a story can do.