These 18 Children’s Books Will Help You Talk About Depression

Poor Coen just isn’t feeling like himself today. His parents and sister try everything to cheer him up, and nothing is doing the trick. When he’s able to open up and share what he needs, he starts to feel less like sniffling and more like smiling.

This book, written with kids ages 3 to 7 in mind, is the perfect introduction to understanding feelings, especially the complicated kind. The author turns Sadness into a visitor, teaching readers that it might come and go (and sometimes overstay its welcome), but that it’s a separate from them, and not who they are.

If you’re looking for a book to help you explain your depression to your child in an age-appropriate way, you need In the Blue. Using colors to show every family member’s feelings, follow along with a little girl as she learns about her dad’s depression (and how he’ll always love her, no matter how he’s feeling).

This sweet story explores the relationship between Arthur and his Papa, who is living with depression. It’s ultimately a hopeful story that explains mental health and depression in a way kids can understand.

Blueloon isn’t as playful and fun as all the other balloons, and it shows. This sweet story explores childhood depression with relatable characters and situations.

This book imagines depression as a blue monster that follows Brianna around, making her sad easily. Written by a clinical social worker, the story shows how Brianna works with a therapist to help manage the “monster.”

Designed for readers age 7 and up, Can I Tell You About Depression? has the character Julie explain what depression is and how people cope with it. The book also offers advice for people whose friends and family live with depression. The simple, straightforward text helps make the condition easier for children to understand.

Written by a psychologist, this book imagines depression as a dog that follows the main character Charlie around. The story also includes tips to help manage depression.

As his father gets lost in a world with no color, a child learns more about the condition of depression. And as his father gets treatment, the colors reappear. This is a symbolic read and perfect for children who see their parents struggling, but can’t understand why.

With help from Barnaby the Rabbit, Danny learns how to cope with his big blue cloud (aka depression) that keeps following him around. This book also contains a note to caregivers with more information about childhood depression, and the story itself offers some comfort.

Addressing the complex topic in an honest way, this book examines the author’s own experiences with depression. It candidly explains what depression feels like, and how it affects a person’s daily life.

This children’s book, aptly titled Meh, helps explain the difference between depression and sadness in a picture book. Children and adults alike can learn from the character’s journey through depression, and it can open up dialogue about when the feelings are just too much to deal with on their own.

Cleverly told from a loving dog’s point of view, this book examines the many ways depression can affect a person, in this case the dog’s owner, Rupert. Celeste learns that Rupert’s low mood isn’t her fault, which is a valuable lesson for any child whose caregiver is going through depression.

Designed for children around the ages 5 to 7, this book uses humor and metaphor to explain the realities of childhood depression, and it’s recommended by Dr. Nasamran. The fog makes the young princess feel a lack of interest in her formerly beloved interests, and that specific trait of depression can feel incredibly relatable to children.

Great as a discussion tool, this picture book explores the sensitive topic of depression in a reassuring, age-appropriate way for kids. The series of questions from the child to her father with depression will help explain the condition to other young readers.

Sadly is a little owl who lives for line dancing, until a cloud appears over his head and does not leave. This gentle story explains the kind of sadness that lasts for days.

Recommended for readers around the ages of 8 to 12, The Science of Breakable Things introduces middle schooler Natalie, who wants to win an egg drop competition and use the prize money to help her mom regain happiness. However, not everything is so easy to fix. It’s a careful and sensitive depiction of depression that middle grade readers will appreciate.

Designed for readers aged 4 to 11, this illustrated children’s book explains childhood depression in a direct, simple way. Read it with your kid to gain a better understanding of the ways depression can affect children, and what it can feel like for them.