Mental Health in Children’s Literature
Authors Dr. Nancy Bo Flood and Ann Jacobus have been curating a list of traditionally published, exceptional children’s literature that tackles mental illness for over a decade.
Nancy Bo Flood
Storytime Planning!
It’s that time of year — new schedules and planning, new notebooks and books, new activities, and priorities … and a new storytime!
Mental Health: Nonfiction
Ann Jacobus and Nancy Bo Flood, authors and educators, offer selected nonfiction books with mental health as a focus.
Mental Health: Grief
Ann Jacobus and Nancy Bo Flood, authors and educators, developed this list of middle grade novels and picture books with grief and loss as a focus.
Mental Health: LGBTQ: Middle Grade
Ann Jacobus and Nancy Bo Flood, authors and educators, developed this list of books for middle grade readers with mental health and LGBTQ characters as a focus.
Mental Health: Several Lists
Ann Jacobus and Nancy Bo Flood have contributed several lists for PreK-Grade 8 in which mental health is a part of the story.
Mental Health: Character Mental Health: Middle Grade
Middle grade readers will find windows and mirrors in these novels whose characters experience anxiety, phobias, depression, therapy, OCD, ADHD, or grief. This list, developed by Ann Jacobus and Nancy Bo Flood, provides good recommendations.
Mental Health: Picture Books
For a child experiencing anxiety, phobias, depression, or grief, a picture book is a good conversation starter. This list, developed by Ann Jacobus and Nancy Bo Flood, is essential.
Mental Health: Family Mental Health: Middle Grade
Ann Jacobus and Nancy Bo Flood, authors and educators, developed this list of books for middle grade readers with family mental health as a focus.
Two Books about Grief
Take these books to heart: two books that will help adults and children find paths into discussions about this part of life, Sitting Shiva and Walking Grandma Home.
Heartdrum
We are so pleased to have this opportunity to interview the two women behind HarperCollins’ new Native-focused imprint, Heartdrum: Rosemary Brosnan, vice president and editorial director at HarperCollins Children’s Books, and Cynthia Leitich Smith, children’s and YA author, writing instructor, and blogger.
Let’s learn more …
Rosemary and Cynthia, you have worked together for more than 20 years, correct?
Nomad Press
Andi Diehn (photo: Bob Eddy)
For teachers, parents and anyone looking for “school-at-home” nonfiction books, Nomad Press is an excellent resource for activity-based nonfiction books. With Nomad’s informational series, students not only “read about” important topics of our times but also investigate, “ask about” and “do about” these topics.
First I tried out several of their books. I found excellent information combined with engaging activities and challenging questions.
Groundwood Books
Groundwood Books celebrates diversity. In the words of the late Sheila Barry, former publisher, their commitment is to publish “the most exciting Canadian voices we can find. Whether it’s a picture book from Nunavut in the Arctic or a Carnival story about a new Canadian from the Caribbean ….”
Groundwood publishes not only all things Canadian but much more — stories about First Nations people, refugees, children caught in the terror of war, the grief felt by immigrants as well as the gift of their experiences and talents they bring to their new country.… more
USBBY Reflections
by Nancy Bo Flood
Books can help readers heal. Stories can create compassion. Every one needs to find “their story” in books.
The United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY) is part of The International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), a world-wide organization that works to build bridges of understanding through children’s and young adult books.… more
Skinny Dip with Nancy Bo Flood
What keeps you up at night?
Popcorn in the brain. Ideas are popping and images are streaming through my brain. I know that if I don’t get up (ugh, really, 3 am?) and write them down, I won’t have a clue in the morning what they were. All those brilliant ideas, gone! I like to read a chapter from my current work just before I go to bed.… more
Leroy Ninker Saddles Up! Companion Booktalks
Let these help you get started on the Bookstorm™ books:
Actual Size, written and illustrated by Steve Jenkins
Animal parts or whole animals shown in actual size (a squid’s eye!)
Try to guess the animal by looking at just one part
Ideal for comparing and contrasting
Bill Picket: Rodeo-Ridin’ Cowboy, written by Andrea Pinkney, illustrated by Brian Pinkney True story of an African-American rodeo star You won’t believe his trick for quieting bulls and calves Biography of a true-life action superhero
Black Cowboy, Wild Horses, written by Julius Lester, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney True story about one of the many African-American cowboys Find all the camouflaged critters!… more
Bill Picket: Rodeo-Ridin’ Cowboy, written by Andrea Pinkney, illustrated by Brian Pinkney True story of an African-American rodeo star You won’t believe his trick for quieting bulls and calves Biography of a true-life action superhero
Black Cowboy, Wild Horses, written by Julius Lester, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney True story about one of the many African-American cowboys Find all the camouflaged critters!… more
Nancy Bo Flood: Creating Cowboy Up!
When you conceived of Cowboy Up! was the poetry format a part of your plan? If not, when did that occur?
I was standing next to the fence watching a young girl riding her horse barrel-racing, speeding around the arena, kicking up dirt and smiling from ear to ear. I thought, I want to do that.… more
