18 Perfect Books for Highly Sensitive Children
Books always make for great gifts to give and receive. Right? Here are 18 perfect books for highly sensitive children. These top picks have been chosen with highly sensitive children in mind.
These are some of my and the Happy Sensitive Kids’ Community reading favourites. (Click on the titles or the book covers to go through to buying options.)
Beautiful Oops by Barney Saltzberg
Recommended age: 3 – 8
It’s so important that HSCs know it’s more than okay to make a mistake. So many are perfectionists, afraid to make a start on something if they are not sure if they can do it without a making a mistake. Beautiful Oops is a perfect way to oen the dialogue about making mistakes.
Quiet Power: The Secret Strengths of Introverts
Susan Cain, author of bestselling and hugely influential book ‘Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking‘, has written a similarly themed book targeted at a younger introverted audience. This is the book for reassuring introvert children there is nothing wrong with them – introversion is a superpower!
The Adventures of Sir Roderick the Not-Very Brave by James O’Loghlin
Recommended age: 8+
This book is about a boy who believes he’s not very brave who soon learns that through feeling fear you have the chance to be brave. Read a review here.
HSK Community quote: Funny and great to read aloud
The Kids’ Guide to Staying Awesome and In Control by Lauren Brukner
Recommended age: 7-14
I have this book out on my desk most of the time. It’s chock full of great ideas to help a child self regulate.
Small movement exercises in the first few chapters are a good example of the tips in this book that help children calm and focus. There are also lots of sensory tool ideas to help.
The book is written in a simple manner that speaks directly to children. It also has lots of simple illustrations too.
HSK Community quote: This book has so many good ideas in it to help with “big feelings.”
Marvin Gets Mad by Joseph Theobald
Recommended age: 5+
This is the follow up book to Marvin Wants More which my eldest was gifted when he was a toddler and which was one of his favourite books at the time. This time Marvin gets cross when his friend Molly eats the apple he had his eye on. He goes on the rampage. Who can help him calm down?
The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
Recommended age: 3 – 7
This is a book about a girl, her dog and plenty of perseverance, about not giving up when things don’t quite go as easily as planned. It’s beautifully illustrated and a fun read for young children.
All Too Much for Oliver by Leila Boukharim
This is a book that has been mentioned more than once on this blog and it’s a personal favourite. Everything about this book oozes calm and quiet, it is beautifully illustrated and written with highly sensitive children in mind.
HSK Community quote: A great children’s book for Highly Sensitive Children!
It’s Okay to Make Mistakes by Todd Parr
Recommended age: 5 – 6
This book is full of examples of mistakes – and children learn that it’s ok to make mistakes! This book shows children that making mistakes can be harmless and funny.
The illustrations are about as child friendly as it gets.
A Handful of Quiet: Happiness in Four Pebbles by Thich Nhat Hanh
Recommended age: 5 – 9
How beautiful is this? This book introduces pebble meditation, one of the most well known practices developed by Thich Nhat Hanh.
All you need is 4 pebbles, this book and a quiet spot.
Relax Kids: Aladdin’s Magic Carpet by Marneta Viegas
Recommended age: 9 – 12
I absolutely love the Relax Kids series and I have had so much success with the books when it comes to calming my sons down.
Each tale starts with an instruction to ‘close your eyes and be very still’. The tales invite children to be mindful of their own stillness, their breathing and their body. Whilst reading you can play soft music in the background or have silence as a backdrop – each has worked for us.
Anna and Her Rainbow Colored Mats by Giselle Shardlow
Recommended age: 3 – 7
This book is essentially introducing children to yoga poses within a story. They are having so much fun whilst calming their bodies and minds!
But there’s much more to this book:
Master of Mindfulness: How to Be Your Own Superhero in Times of Stress by Laurie Grossman
Recommended age: 5 – 12
This book is a resource to introduce mindfulness to children. How do you recognise your emotions? What can you do with them? How can you cope with your frustrations, anger or sadness? The truth is that many children face stress in their lives – and this book attempts to help children tap into their inner strength.
What makes this book even more inspirational is that it was put together by a fifth grade school class in California!
Relax Kids: The Wishing Star by Marneta Viegas
Recommended age: 5 – 12
I can’t rave about Relax Kids books enough. And I am not alone. This book is a big hit in the HSK community too.
With 52 different meditations based around familiar stories, children are introduced to meditation in a low key and gentle manner. Lovely illustrations. If you are looking for relaxation tools to help your children then this is definitely worth adding to your tool kit.
The Boy Who Loved Math : The Improbable Life of Paul Erdos by Deborah Heiligman
Recommended age: 5 – 8
Mathematical genius Paul Erdos followed his own rules, followed his passions and made his own path in life. Maths is woven into this unusual story book and if your HSC loves numbers then this is definitely a book for them.
HSK Community quote: Maybe your HSC would enjoy reading about someone different and brilliant just like them.
Lily the Unicorn by Dallas Clayton
Recommended age: 4 – 8
How do you convince someone to join you in their adventures when they are afraid of trying new things, afraid of failing? Lily the Unicorn helps her friend Roger the Penguin do just that. Roger realises that maybe failing isn’t so bad after all.
The Invisible String by Patrice Karst
Recommended age: 4 – 8
This book has been written especially for children with separation anxiety. It’s a bestseller – and there’s a good reason why.
Mama explains to her children that we are all connected by an invisible string, which reaches from heart to heart.
It’s heartwarming and sure to give some semblance of reassurance to those children who find leaving loved ones behind at the classroom door unbearable.
The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig
Recommended age: 6 – 9
Brian feels like an invisible boy. Nobody ever seems to notice him or think to include him until a new kid joins the class.
This is a beautifully illustrated, heartwarming book for those children who don’t feel seen in school. Seriously, look at the illustrations!
It’s a valuable resource for those supporting the needs of quieter children.
Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
This is a book for any child who feels like they are different, and don’t quite fit in. A story about being unique, and about overcoming challenges. Suitable for readers around age 9 – 11.
Over to You
What other books for highly sensitive children belong in this list?
For other book or gift ideas for the highly sensitive people in your life check out:
Books and CDs for Highly Sensitive People
10 Perfect Calming Gifts for Children
9 Book Gift Ideas for the Highly Sensitive People in Your Life
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