Books About Self-Love / Individuality
I Love My Hair
Title: I Love My Hair
Author: Natasha Anastasia Tarpley
Illustrator: E. B. Lewis
Genre: Fiction
Copyright: 1998
Reading level: Grade 2-4
Interest level: K-3
Summary: A young African American girl, Keyana, celebrates her lovely head of hair as part of her heritage. Each night, her mother combs out her tangles before bed and when it hurts, her mom assures her that she is very lucky to have such hair. Eventually, she finds reasons to love her hair!
Picture book: Yes
Moral of the story/lesson/theme: The importance of appreciating what you look like as part of who you are.
Topic: Self-Love/Individuality
Is it a good read aloud? Yes
Marvelous Me
Title: Marvelous Me: Inside and Out
Author: Lisa Bullard
Illustrator: Brandon Reibeling
Genre: Fiction
Copyright: 2002
Reading level: PreK-1
Interest level: PreK-1
Summary: A young boy, Alex, is unique in his own ways. With his special laugh, his grizzly hugs, and his own interesting thoughts, Alex is one of a kind. This story shows similarities and differences Alex has with others.
Picture book: Yes
Moral of the story/lesson/theme: Be proud of what you can do. Promotes self-esteem.
Topic: Self-love/Individuality
Is it a good read aloud? Yes
There's Only One You
Title: There’s Only One You
Author: Deborah Hembrook, Kathryn Heling, and Rosie Butcher
Illustrator: Rosie Butcher
Genre: Fiction
Copyright: 2019
Reading level: Grade 1
Interest level: K-2
Summary: This book talks about how everyone is special. Throughout the book it includes many kids who are all unique. This is a feel-good book that reassures kids that, whoever and whatever they are, it’s awesome being you! It embraces the beauty in a range of physical types, personalities, and abilities.
Picture book: Yes
Moral of the story/lesson/theme: Celebrating our individuality/diversity. We are all unique.
Topic: Self-Love/Individuality
Is it a good read aloud? Yes
Remarkably You
Title: Remarkably You
Author: Pat Zietlow Miller
Illustrator: Patrice Barton
Genre: Fiction/Poetry
Copyright: 2019
Reading level: Grade 2-3
Interest level: K-3
Summary: This book encourages children to use their talents to do good things in the world. Whatever their personalities, whatever their interests, the rhyming text here exhorts the reader.
Picture book: Yes
Moral of the story/lesson/theme: Individuality/Self-image/Identity
Topic: Self-Love/Individuality
Is it a good read aloud? Yes
Rock What Ya Got
Title: Rock What Ya Got
Author: Samantha Berger
Illustrator: Kerascoët
Genre: Fiction
Copyright: 2018
Reading level: Grade 1-2
Interest level: PreK-3
Summary: An artist draws a girl named Viva. The artist is constantly second guessing herself and wanting to change the drawing but Viva comes to life. Viva tells the artist that she doesn't want to be erased, or put into a picture that doesn't feel like her true self. Instead, she decides to speak up in a powerful way.
Picture book: Yes
Moral of the story/lesson/theme: Embrace your own special something in the joyful expression of self-love.
Topic: Self-love
Is it a good read aloud? Yes
Spoon
Title: Spoon
Author: Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Illustrator: Scott Magoon
Genre: Fiction
Copyright: 2002
Reading level: Grade 2-3
Interest level: PreK-2
Summary: Spoon was always happy, until he thought about how different knife, fork, and chopsticks are. He thinks all his friends are better than him since he can’t do the things they can do. Spoon's mom reminds him that everyone has their own jobs to do and that everyone is special, including Spoon.
Picture book: Yes
Moral of the story/lesson/theme: There are things out there that makes everyone special in their own ways.
Topic: Individuality
Is it a good read aloud? Yes
Wonder
Title: Wonder
Author: R. J. Palacio
Illustrator: R. J. Palacio
Genre: Fiction
Copyright: 2002
Reading level: Grade 5-7
Interest level: Grade 4-7
Summary: A young boy named August Pullman was born with a facial difference. He has always been homeschooled and is nervous to start fifth grade at Beecher Prep. He wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid by blending in. He gets bullied in school, but is able to make new friends on the way. Auggie has a hard time in school, but it changes him in many ways for the better. Soon enough once school is almost over, he realizes his worth.
Chapter book: Yes
Moral of the story/lesson/theme: You can’t blend in if you were born to stand out. Never judge anyone. Stand up for yourself. Always choose happiness.
Topic: Individuality
Is it a good read aloud? No
Violet the Pilot
Title: Violet the Pilot
Author: Steve Breen
Illustrator: Steve Breen
Genre: Fiction
Copyright: 2008
Reading level: Grade 3-5
Interest level: PreK-3
Summary: A young girl named Violet didn’t have any friends from school. Ever since she was little, she was really good at fixing things. Soon enough she started building vehicles that could fly. She started building a plane when she found out there was an air show. Unfortunately, she was unable to go because on the way she had to help boy scouts who were in danger.
Picture book: Yes
Moral of the story/lesson/theme: It's okay to be different. Be proud of yourself. Put other people first and help others.
Topic: Individuality
Is it a good read aloud book?: Yes
