Natural disasters, war, political discord, and rioting aren’t topics we like to discuss around our children, yet they are often the realities swirling around us. Then you have failure, personal obstacles, and even family struggles. Those aren’t any easier to deal with because they hit closer to home than some of the things covered by the media.
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Needless to say, some of the seasons we go through can be overwhelming and heartbreaking for us and our children. Thankfully all of those hard seasons don’t last forever. That doesn’t make them any easier to deal with while we’re facing them, but it does bring some hope.
That said, snuggling up on the sofa and reading a book is often the best thing we can do for our kids when bad news is everywhere we turn. After all, they need to know that we do life together, whether we’re facing the good, bad, or what’s in between.
It’s All Going to Be Okay: Comforting Books for Kids
We’ve established that reading with our kids is a great way to bring them comfort and help them work through the emotions that come with hard times, but how do we know what to read? I’m so glad you asked.
The following books are great ones to share with kids who just need to know that it’s all going to be okay.
Before jumping into the books, note that the links in the following overviews all lead to Amazon. If you prefer to support independent bookstores through your purchases, see this Bookshop.org list. You’ll find most of these titles, plus some fabulous extras, waiting for you there.
1. The Stars Will Still Shine
I came across Cynthia Rylant’s The Stars Will Still Shine at our local library and instantly loved it.
If there’s any book on this list that perfectly illustrates to us that it’s all going to be okay, it’s this one. It’s simple and sweet, but reminds us of what remains constant regardless of what’s going on in the world around us.
2. It Will Be Okay
I love everything about Lisa TerKeurst’s It Will Be Okay. This picture book truly reminds children and adults alike that everything really is going to be okay because we can trust that God is always with us even as we deal with fear and change.
3. Alexander and the Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
I’ve had a few terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days in my life and this classic book still captures the feelings perfectly. In Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, we walk through a rotten day with Alexander and learn that it’s normal to have a bad day every now and then.
We also learn that we can’t always avoid these days. Instead, we deal with them knowing that a clean start is just around the corner.
4. Most People
Anyone else need a reminder that most people are genuinely good at heart? Most People is that reminder in picture book form. This book shows people who seem quite different in appearance, but focuses on what they have in common: they’re happy to help wherever they can.
5. Where the Wild Things Are
I think it’s safe to say that all kids get into mischief of some sort from time to time. While consequences and mischief go hand in hand, Where the Wild Things Are is a comforting book to read because it reassures kids that their supper will still be waiting for them when they return home from the wild rumpus.
6. A Perfectly Messed-Up Story
A Perfectly Messed-Up Story is a great book to read for the child who needs to be reminded that the messy and messed up are both part of life. It shows us imperfections aren’t the end and that our lives and our stories can still be awesome, even if they have a little mess strewn about.
7. This Beautiful Day
We’ve all had grey days, right? You know, those days that start out so yucky and mucky that you can’t wait for them to end? This Beautiful Day shows readers how to take the grey, make the best of it, and turn it into something quite spectacular.
8. The Book of Mistakes
The Book of Mistakes does a wonderful job in showing that our mistakes can turn into our best ideas with some perspective and perseverance. The story starts with an artist’s accidental splotches and takes readers on an unexpected, but beautiful journey.
9. La La La: A Story of Hope
Kate DiCamillo’s La La La: A Story of Hope is a lovely book of comfort and hope. It shows us that sometimes we don’t need someone to swoop in and fix everything. No, sometimes we simply need to know that we’re not alone.
10. After the Fall
Humpty Dumpty is infamous for his terrible fall, but what we don’t know is what happens next. In After the Fall we walk with Humpty Dumpty as he finds the courage to face his fears, get back up, and start living again.
Looking for similar reading suggestions? Check out these books that inspire creativity and this list of books that inspire kids to dream big.