11 Healing Books For Kids Who Have Experience Trauma
Trauma can leave kids feeling confused, frightened, or alone. Adults who want to help kids navigate this experience might feel at a loss about what to say or how to support the child in a way that is actually helpful.
These 11 picture books about trauma are perfect for parents, teachers, and counselors who want to help kids heal from scary or overwhelming experiences. The books will help kids understand their experiences, manage big emotions, and begin the path toward healing.
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argo & Me by chandra Ghosh Ippen
Recommended Grades: K to 3
The boy in this story shares about his dog Argo and the ways that they are similar. They’ve both experienced unkind people and have moved around to live with different families. When the boy adopted Argo, he knew that he would have to be kind and patient with him as Argo learned to trust humans again. Through helping Argo heal from his trauma, the little boy begins to understand more about his own life and healing.
a terrible thing happened by Margaret M. Holmes
Recommended Grades: K to 3
Sherman saw something terrible. It made him feel afraid, so he decided to try to pretend like it didn’t happen. This helped for a little while, but Sherman started losing his appetite, feeling sick, experiencing worry and sadness, having trouble sleeping, and having scary dreams when he did sleep. This made him feel angry. Thankfully, he was able to start working with Ms. Maple who helped Sherman talk about his feelings, process the terrible thing that he saw, and learn to cope with his feelings.
you weren’t with me by chandra ghosh ippen
Recommended Grades: K to 3
Little Rabbit and Big Rabbit were separated for some reason. Now, they are back together and are processing what it was like when they were apart. Little Rabbit shows his frustrations, questions, and feelings that are related to his separation from Big Rabbit. Big Rabbit offers presence, affirmation, and a listening ear. This is a helpful book for kids who have been separated from a family member because of illness, incarceration, addiction, addiction recovery, etc.
TEN Beautiful Things by molly beth griffin
Recommended Grades: 1 to 3
This story doesn’t directly address a traumatic event, but shows a little girl named Lily who is coming to live with her grandma. The reasons for the move aren’t discussed, but it’s clear that Lily is a little uneasy about the change. On the way to her grandma’s house, her grandma encourages her to look for 10 beautiful things. They find 9 things on their drive, and then realize that the 10th beautiful thing is the two of them together.
our roof is blue by sara e. echenique
Recommended Grades: 1 to 3
In this story, a girl and her family experience a bad storm that takes the roof off of their home. Her brother used to tell her so many stories, but after the storm, he no longer speaks. The girl tries to support her brother as he struggles to find his voice. After time, and after the home has been repaired, the boy speaks again. This is a helpful book for explaining how traumatic events can impact people.
the rhino who swallowed a storm by levar burton
Recommended Grades: 1 to 3
Rhino swallowed a storm to help protect his friends. When he did that, he entered a dark place in life. Throughout the book, Rhino learns strategies to overcome the difficulties in his life, and instead begins to live a life of hope in closeness with family and friends.
the breaking news by sara lynne reul
Recommended Grades: 1 to 3
This story is about a girl who learns about a terrible news event. It affects her family, her friends, and even her teachers. Her teacher encourages the girl and her classmates to always look for the helpers in times of tragedy. She was inspired by this to be a helper. Unfortunately, her attempts to be a big helper don’t go so well. Instead, she decides to try to help in small ways. It doesn’t take away the bad news, but it does make things a little bit easier for the people around her.
healing days by susan farber straus
Recommended Grades: 1 to 4
This book follows kids who have experienced something traumatic. At the beginning of the book, they share their emotions, fears, and the negative ways that the trauma is impacting their lives. Then, they share about their experiences with therapy and how their therapists help them to reflect on what is true, cope with their emotions, and feel less alone. This is a thorough book that includes many details about the impact of trauma and how healing happens.
after the fall by dan santat
Recommended Grades: 1 to 4
After Humpty Dumpty’s big accident of falling off the wall, he was badly hurt. Even once he was healed physically, he was still anxious about sitting on the wall again. Yet, he missed what he could see from the wall, and the fun he had up there. Eventually, he decides to climb up the wall again and encourages readers to not just think of him as the egg who fell off the wall, but as the egg who got back up. This is an encouraging story for kids who are reluctant to do something again after a bad experience.
Somebody cares by susan farber straus
Recommended Grades: 2 to 4
The boy in this story shares his experience with neglect. He talks about what it was like to have the adults around him be unavailable physically or emotionally. Although it helped him to be independent, it also made him feel worried and sad. One day, a social worker came and came up with a plan to help the boy and his mom. The boy also begins to see a therapist who helps him process what he’s experienced and helps him heal from the trauma. This is a great story for kids who are working through their own trauma caused by neglect.
the day my daddy lost his temper by dr. carol santana mccleary
Recommended Grades: 2 to 4
Laura has had a lot of happy times with her family, but sometimes her daddy would get very angry. He would yell and scream and sometimes even push Laura’s mom. This made Laura feel very scared and worried, but she couldn’t tell anyone because it was their family secret. Instead, she tried her best to be good and not make her daddy lose his temper. One day, things got so bad that Laura’s mom had to go to the hospital for the injuries from Laura’s daddy. Laura didn’t understand why this was happening and was scared for her mom. With care from her family and help from a therapist, Laura was able to learn many helpful tips to help her process what happened. This book offers a detailed look at what a child might experience when they witness domestic violence.
When children experience something scary or unexpected, words can be hard to find. My hope is that these books open the door for healing conversations and helping kids feel seen, safe, and supported.
