I’m a mental health advocate, extremely passionate about mental health for children. Kids need powerful stories to nurture positive self-talk and teach coping strategies to deal with life’s little and BIG problems.
What’s my Connection with mental health for Kids?
When I taught as a primary teacher, parents at my school harassed me to breaking point and beyond. Later I wrote my gutsy memoir ME & HER: a Memoir of Madness sharing my strategies to wellness. I returned to school, teaching my beloved year two class mental health strategies, to strengthen their emotional resilience … I’m now a children’s author
As part of my ME & HER Blog Tour…
I’m a guest blogging at Kids Book Review, revealing my TOP #5 kid’s books on mental health. Books guaranteed to build resilience in kids! I advocate parents, teachers and librarians guide children on how to cope with the stresses of life through stories that lead by example.
What’s my #1 Mental Health Book for Kids? 
~ Go Away Mr Worry Thoughts ~ by Nicky Johnson
“Brayden is plagued by the worry monster so much he has trouble enjoying playtime and concentrating on important things. Then Brayden discovers his super power … his ability to control Mr Worry Thoughts.”
Author Nicky Johnson, wrote this book to empower her anxious son. Nicky’s become an ambassador for children’s mental health. This week her HAPPY HERO books featured on Channel 10’s The CIRCLE program.
What are my other #4 recommendations for Kids?
Please follow this link to read my Guest Blog over at Kids Book review. Then come back here to comment or ask a question about ME & HER or mental health for children… Kids Book Review.
Where can YOU buy ME & HER?
Please click on the *Buy the Book* badge … on the top right of this page.
OR click here directly to my Amazon page …
What do you think of my 5 Star REVIEWS AND the First 20 pages for FREE?
# 2 FREE eBook GIVEAWAYS
Want to win one of two *FREE* copies of ME & HER: a Memoir of Madness?
Please leave a comment or a question below…
How will books on mental health empower children?
What books on mental health do you recommend?
go away mr worry thoughts…most definitely. my son has read it about 20 times this past week!
Thanks Kelly for voting for the the BEST mental health book for KIDS…I love it too.
Good luck in the ME & HER competition too.
Winners announced this Monday!
Awesome Karen! Following your journey has been inspiring, I wish you great success with the launch of your new book – Me & Her.
Definately Go Away Mr Worry Thoughts. This book has made such a huge difference to my six year old son. I only wish I had discovered it sooner!
I feel very honoured to be on your Top 5 List Karen! thank you for sharing this! I do believe that reading to young children about these issues helps empower them as they learn skills and strategies to help manage their worry thoughts!! I really love hearing comments like Kelly’s ( in comments)when children love to read my books over and over!
Thanks Emma for dropping by to check out these books.
Thanks too for following my publishing journey & supporting ME & HER… Good luck in the draw 🙂
Hi Katie, Thanks for sharing your personal feedback with Go Away My Worry Thoughts. So many parents testify of its ability to change their children’s lives. Good luck in the ME & HER draw 🙂
Congratulations Nicky with the success of your mental health book for kids. Loved hearing the praises of your book on The Circle TV show this week.
Congratulations Karen… I love to see wonderful things available for families and children…. Your passion bubbles over… so easy to see! Congrats to Nicky.. love your work! Thank you
Hi Claire, lovely to *meet* you here. Thanks for your awesome support for mental health for kids & grown-ups too 🙂
I wish I had had some of these books when we were struggling with my now 15 year old’s issues as a child. We still have ongoing issues and it’s even harder now as he becomes more independent. Plus add in my own struggles with depression through the years, and I am always looking for inspiring reads!
Thanks Karen for alerting me to the list of books for kids with mental health issues.
Unfortunately resources aren’t always readily available to families with children with mental health issues. I have found from my own experiences that a lot of teachers are not equipped to deal with and implement positive strategies to assist these children.
Hi Tricia,
Thanks for dropping by with your comments.
I hope ME & HER will inspire you to become the person you really want to be. Take care x… Karen 🙂
Thanks Kerryn, for sharing your perspective.
I wish MORE teachers and parents will use books with mental health themes to empower children 🙂
Wow! All these books are fantastic and so empowering to adults and children alike. Go Away Mr Worrythoughts would have made a huge difference to my son when he was younger as he suffers Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and axiety. He is now 19 and is in a much better place now but I am going to get a copy of the book and show him too.
Hi Ani, Thanks for checking out these mental health books for children. Glad to hear you’re buying Go Away Mr Worrythoughts to show your son 🙂
Nicky Johnston sent me your link and told me that my book – “Stomp Out The ANTs – Automatic Negative Thoughts” made your Top 5 list. Thanks so much for the honour!
And I was happy to be able to talk about Nicky’s books (Go Away Mr Worrythoughts) on The Circle last week – she is an inspirational woman who works really hard to help children deal with anxiety!
Again, thanks Karen :).
Sally-Anne McCormack
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST, author and mother of 4!
Thanks Sally-Anne, for dropping by. I’m honoured that you’ve commented here. I watched your TV segment .. LOVE your book and what you had to say about empowering children.
Thanks for entering the ME & HER: A Memoir of Madness competition. The #20 winners will be announced on this site at 12pm today. Please say tuned! good luck 🙂
Great that you’re doing this list, Karen. I just wanted to add Shaun Tan’s ‘The Red Tree’. I know so many people that it has helped – mainly adults though. It’s about depression and a stunning work of art as well!
Hi Virginia, thanks for dropping over to check out my mental health books for kids.
Thanks for recommending The Red Tree… sounds like a fabulous book… Cheers, Karen 🙂
Karen, Thank you for posting on the SCBWI wall on LinkedIn. I am also an advocate for mental health awareness and have often searched for children’s books that address the issue. I hope I can find some of the books on your list! Heather 🙂
Thanks Heather,
for responding to my post on SCBWI’s wall. These books were written by Aussie authors but are all available online.
cheers, Karen 🙂
Great ideas! I am excited to share this book with my clients!
Hi Patricia,
Thanks for your interest and support for Bailey Beats the Blah, my mental health picture book for kids. Teaching coping skills for anxiety and depression, boosting self-esteem. 5 STAR reviews from psychologists, school counselors and teachers.
Comes with free teacher resources and kids activities including puppets, a jigsaw, dot to dot and comprehension sheets download from my website.Bailey is available from Amazon worldwide, Barnes and Noble and book stores in Australia.
http://www.amazon.com/Bailey-Beats-the-Blah-ebook/dp/B00G0O6GVW/ … Karen
PS I just realised you are referring to a list I made two years ago. Which book are you referring to?