By Lisa Heller

This month our team has chosen to shine a light on some books that teach children about self-love.

In a time where judgement and bullying are omnipresent, it is more important than ever to teach children about self-love and self-acceptance. Everyone is special in their own way, and the sooner children learn this, the sooner they can teach it to others.

Check out the list below to find titles for all ages and the books’ Accelerated Reader quiz information.

My Hair by Hannah Lee, illustrated by Allen Fatimaharan
LY | Quiz # 238726 | BL 3.3 | Faber and Faber
A child is having a birthday party and needs to decide which hairstyle they want, so looks to friends and family for inspiration.

Asa the Rock Cutter by Mio Debnam, illustrated by Cosei Kawa
LY | Quiz # 243360 | BL 2.4 | Collins
Asa the rock cutter wished he was rich, but getting his wish didn’t help him feel better.

The Me in ChaMeleon by Jenny Jinks, illustrated by Gai Weizman
LY | Quiz # 239871 | BL 2.9 | Maverick Arts Publishing
Cam loves being a chameleon and being bright and colourful. But everyone says Cam is supposed to blend in. Can he prove them wrong?

Leila in Saffron by Rukhsanna Guidroz, illustrated by Dinara Mirtalipova
LY | Quiz # 240045 | BL 3.0 | Salaam Reads
Shy and unsure of herself, Leila discovers all the things that make her special with the loving help of her Naani.

Star Struck by Jamie Hex, illustrated by Maria Lia Malandrino
MY | Quiz # 243317| BL 2.2 | Maverick Arts Publishing
Wendy loves to play music but doesn’t like to be heard. One day, someone films her playing and it goes viral online. How will Wendy cope with being a star?

You Can Do It: How to Find Your Voice and Make a Difference by Marcus Rashford, with Co-author Carl Anka
MY | Quiz # 242986 | BL 6.1 | Macmillan Children’s Books
Packed with stories from Marcus Rashford’s own life, this inspiring guide shows readers how their voice matters and that they can do anything they put their minds to.

Dream, Annie, Dream by Waka T. Brown
MY | Quiz # 242576 | BL 5.1 | Quill Tree Books
As the daughter of immigrants who came to America for a better life, Annie was raised to dream big, and she’s channelling that hope into becoming the lead in her school play.

Ways to Be Me by Libby Scott and Rebecca Westcott
MY | Quiz # 241000 | BL 5.5 | Scholastic Children’s Books
In this prequel to Can You See Me?, things aren’t going well for Tally at home. She feels misunderstood and frustrated. Then her parents tell her about something called autism and everything changes.

Mike by Andrew Norriss
MY+ | Quiz # 238638 | BL 6.0 | David Fickling Books
Mike is the imaginary friend who won’t go away until Floyd confronts both his greatest fear and greatest desire to succeed.

No Big Deal by Bethany Rutter
MY+ | Quiz # 240605 | BL 5.2 | Macmillan Children’s Books
Emily knows she’s awesome but the people around her keep telling her that her body should be holding her back. When she meets gorgeous Joe, things start to change.

One in A Hundred Thousand by Linni Ingemundsen
MY+ | Quiz # 240173 | BL 4.3 | Usborne
Sander wishes he was like everyone else. But he has a rare condition that means he is smaller than other kids. When he meets Niklas, a boy who makes him feel even smaller, Sander notices something nobody else has.

Gloves Off by Louise Reid
MY+ | Quiz # 242752 | BL 5.0 | Guppy Books
Lily is sixteen and feels trapped. When the kids bullying her at school go too far, Lily must decide if she’s going to fight back or remain a victim.

Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry by Joya Goffney
UY | Quiz # 243349 | BL 4.1 | Hot Key Books
When her journal goes missing and her list of biggest fears is posted online with a challenge to face them or have the journal go public, Quinn has to move from inside her mind to real life.

The Passing Playbook by Isaac Fitzsimons
UY | Quiz # 241716 | BL 5.0 | Penguin Books
Spencer is a proud nerd and David Beckham in training. He’s also transgender. After transitioning at his old school leads to isolation and bullying, Spencer gets a fresh start at Oakley.

Destination Anywhere by Sara Barnard
UY | Quiz # 240598 | BL 4.9 | Macmillan Children’s Books
Having been bullied and friendless for years, Peyton sets off for Canada, with only her sketchbook, in search of a different life.

Rebel with a Cupcake by Anna Mainwaring
UY | Quiz # 239964 | BL 4.4 | Firefly Press
Jess sees no reason to apologise for her imperfect family, single status or her weight. She makes her own cupcakes and eats them too. That is until Own Clothes Day, when a wardrobe malfunction leaves her exposed, and a mean girl calls her “fat”.

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