Books that build confidence and self-esteem
For the shy child, the one who gives up too quickly, or the one who needs to hear that they are enough just as they are. These books are about trying, failing, trying again and liking who you are.
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Binny's Diwali
by Thrity Umrigar
Ages 4–7Indian author
Binny is excited to tell her class about Diwali but gets tongue-tied at first. A warm story about sharing your culture with friends at school.
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Always Anjali
by Sheetal Sheth
Ages 4–7Indian author
Anjali can't find a bike plate with her name on it, and then gets teased at school. She learns to be proud of who she is and where her name comes from.
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Laxmi's Mooch
by Shelly Anand
Ages 4–8Indian author
Laxmi is teased for the fine hair above her lip, until her family helps her see it as something to be proud of.
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The Miracle on Kachhua Beach
by Nandita da Cunha
Ages 6–10Indian author
Bullied and nicknamed 'Oddball Ori,' a boy finds an abandoned, garbage-strewn beach and an unconventional idea that transforms his community — a Neev Award-winning story.
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If There Was One Thing I Could Be
by Kalpana Subramanian
Ages 3–6Indian author
Vir imagines what it would be like to be a bird — feathers, a beak, and all — before discovering that being himself is the most fun of all.
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Malhar in the Middle
by Shruthi Rao
Ages 7–9Indian author
Malhar wants to be a famous tabla player — but why do tabla players always sit at the side of the stage? A funny early chapter book about ambition, music and wanting to be centre stage.
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Girls on Wheels
Ages 4–8Indian author
Inspired by India's girls' skateboarding revolution: three friends cheer each other through the falls and triumphs of learning to skate.
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Brown Is Beautiful
Ages 4–8Indian author
A South Asian girl collects beautiful brown things on a walk in the woods and learns to love her own brown skin.
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Bindu's Bindis
Ages 3–7Indian author✈️ Import only (pricey)
Bindu's bindis connect her to her Nani and give her courage at the school talent show. A companion to The Many Colors of Harpreet Singh.
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My Name
Ages 3–6Indian author✈️ Import only (pricey)
When an Indian American boy starts at a new school, he learns to celebrate his name and everything that makes him unique.
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Lightning Kid: 64 Winning Lessons from the Boy Who Became Five-Time World Chess Champion
by Viswanathan Anand
Ages 10–16Indian author
Vishy Anand tells his story, from a chess-mad boy in Chennai to India's first Grandmaster and five-time World Champion, with 64 short lessons on staying calm, losing well and bouncing back.
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Why Is My Skin Brown?
by Lakshmi Iyer
Ages 7–10Indian author
When Sarayu moves to India for a few months, her cousins, neighbours and even her Nani have strong opinions about her dark skin. A heartfelt story about colourism, family and belonging in two worlds.
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Hattie Hates Hugs
Ages 3–7
Hattie doesn't want hugs at the family reunion, and her great-grandma helps her find the words to set boundaries. With new confidence, she enjoys the day.
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The Boy with the Dancing Bells: The Story of Akram Khan
by Samira Ahmed (illus. Humayra Kabir)
Ages 5–9✈️ Import only (pricey)
The story of Akram Khan, the British-Bangladeshi dancer who grew up dancing kathak and went on to create his own style. A picture-book biography about a boy who followed his love of dance.
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The Colors of Us
by Karen Katz
Ages 3–6
Lena wants to paint herself brown and learns from her mother that brown comes in many shades, from cinnamon to chocolate. A celebration of skin colour.
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Happy in Our Skin
by Fran Manushkin
Ages 2–5
A cheerful look at all the colours skin comes in, and all the things skin does for us. Bouncy text and bright pictures for the very young.
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Whistle for Willie
Ages 3–5
Peter wishes he could whistle for his dog Willie, and keeps trying until he can. A classic about patience and practice.
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Jabari Jumps
by Gaia Cornwall
Ages 3–6
Jabari is sure he's ready to jump off the diving board, until he's at the top. With his dad's gentle support, he finds his courage.
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Don't Touch My Hair!
by Sharee Miller
Ages 3–6
Aria loves her hair, but everyone wants to touch it without asking. A funny, empowering story about consent and personal space.
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Lovely
by Jess Hong
Ages 3–6
Big, small, curly, straight, loud, quiet: lovely comes in every shape and size. A bold celebration of how different people look.
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The Shy Book
by Howard Pearlstein
Ages 5–9
This book hides from you but you help it become confident by answering its questions. Teaches social skills creatively.
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Sulwe
by Lupita Nyong'o
Ages 4–8
Sulwe, whose skin is the color of midnight, longs to be lighter until a magical journey teaches her that true beauty shines from within. A tender story about colorism and self-love, by Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o.
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Eyes That Kiss in the Corners
by Joanna Ho
Ages 4–8
A young girl notices her eyes look different from her friends' — until she recognizes the same eyes in her mother, grandmother and little sister, and learns to see them as beautiful. A lyrical celebration of Asian beauty and heritage.
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I Am Every Good Thing
Ages 5–9
A joyful, rhythmic affirmation of Black boyhood — brave, kind, creative, smart and so much more. A companion to the bestselling Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut.
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Amazing Grace
by Mary Hoffman
Ages 4–8
Grace loves acting out stories, and dreams of playing Peter Pan in the school play — until a classmate says she can't, because she's a girl and she's Black. A beloved British classic about believing you can be anything.
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This Is Me
by George Webster & Claire Taylor
Ages 3–7
CBeebies presenter George Webster, who has Down syndrome, celebrates everything that makes each of us unique — our bodies, families, feelings and dreams.
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Celebrate Your Body (and Its Changes, Too!)
by Sonya Renee Taylor
Ages 8–12✈️ Import only (pricey)
A body-positive puberty guide for girls that pairs the facts about changes with lessons on self-love and body acceptance.
Heads-up: Puberty & sexuality
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You Are a Champion
by Marcus Rashford & Carl Anka
Ages 9–13
The England footballer shares what he learned on and off the pitch about confidence, resilience, teamwork and finding your voice.
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Leo Messi (Little People, Big Dreams)
by Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara
Ages 4–8
How a small boy from Rosario, told he was too little, became one of the greatest footballers in the world through practice and team play.
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Salt in His Shoes: Michael Jordan in Pursuit of a Dream
by Deloris Jordan & Roslyn M. Jordan
Ages 4–8✈️ Import only (pricey)
Young Michael worries he's too short for basketball; his parents teach him that patience, practice and hard work matter more than height.
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The Beautiful Layers of Me
by Sophia Payne (illus. Ruchi Mhasane)
Ages 4–7✈️ Import only (pricey)
Ameena feels like a princess in her first salwar kameez until a neighbour calls it pyjamas. With her family's help she learns to wear her heritage with pride.
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Wiggling Words
by Kate Rolfe
Ages 3–6
A child gets lost in a forest of letters as words wiggle off the page. With creative thinking, they find their own way through, sharing tips that helped the dyslexic author.
