Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Distortions & Coping
These books are specifically intended to point out examples of cognitive distortions and coping statements to combat those distortions.
Ages : 3 - 103
This is by far my most favorite book about empathy. It demonstrates what any person who is dealing with trauma, grief, or heartache of every magnitude would want for support.
“When something sad happens, Taylor doesn't know where to turn. All the animals are sure they have the answer. The chicken wants to talk it out, but Taylor doesn't feel like chatting. The bear thinks Taylor should get angry, but that's not quite right either. One by one, the animals try to tell Taylor how to act, and one by one they fail to offer comfort. Then the rabbit arrives. All the rabbit does is listen . . . which is just what Taylor needs.
With its spare, poignant text and irresistibly sweet illustration, The Rabbit Listened is about how to comfort and heal the people in your life, by taking the time to carefully, lovingly, gently listen.” AMAZON review
Ages: 3 & up
What better way to turn around a child’s mood than to express gratitude! This journal offers a kid-friendly design with 3 spaces to list what you’re grateful for, a spot to identify a person who brought you joy that day, a place to identify how you felt about your day, and what the best part was. This journal use could be taught to very young children due to its simple design. It’s one of our favorites in our home and is used in our calm-down corners.
Ages: 4 & up
What better way to turn around a child’s mood than to express gratitude. This journal offers 90 days for acts of kindness ideas, journaling about gratitude, positive affirmations, and promptings. With one page per day, the design is simple to allow for creativity to blossom. This journal could be used in a calm-down corner.
Ages: 5-11
Braden struggles when things don’t go the way he planned. His mom and teacher help him learn how to do some flexible thinking by teaching him 4 simple steps.
*This is book 2 of an 8-part series called the Executive FUNction (click the link to see them all).
Ages: 5-11
Confidence doesn’t come from trying and succeeding right away. Mindset Matters teaches kids that there are many obstacles to overcome but the biggest is our own mindset and how we think about the problem. The author highlights a “gonna-get-it-done mindset” as a way to approach tough challenges. The book encourages trying new things, persistence, and not giving up after your first failure.
“Included are tips for parents, educators, and counselors. This children's book is part of the Without Limits series and is a great tool for anyone wanting to help kids build self-esteem and develop positive emotions.” - Amazon
Book 1: Kindness Counts: A Story for Teaching Random Acts of Kindness
Book 2: Mindset Matters
Book 3: Empathy is My Superpower!: A Story About Showing You Care
Ages: 4-8
Such a creative book to teach children how to solve problems. “What are problems for? They challenge us, shape us, push us, and help us to discover just how strong and brave and capable we really are.” This story highlights the importance of being brave in spite of fear, persisting through challenges and using them as opportunities. Feel free to take this lesson and add your own spiritual value system to it.
Ages 3-5
This adorable book highlights the importance of courage and persistence. When little chick wants to surf like her daddy she has to choose to be brave in spite of fear. With creative rhyming, surf lingo and hilarious illustrations, it is sure to be a fun read for the whole family.
Ages: 6 -12
Follows the story of a little prince who collects seeds from words he has received. Those seeds grow into two types of trees: dark or green. It’s a powerful story about how words can hurt or heal. Those words then turn into beliefs we hold about ourselves. “Be careful what you water, for it will surely grow.”
Ages: 3-6
A humorous story about a fish who can only focus and dwell on how big his lips are. He assumes they must be for pouting and “spreading dreary wearies all over the place”. Until one day a very unique fish with his same lips teaches him they can be used for so much more! This story is a wonderful illustration of Magnification; one of the 10 Cognitive Distortions.
Ages: 2-5
An adorable story of Llama having trouble going to sleep without his mama. He struggles to be patient for her and works up some drama when waiting for his mama. This is a wonderful illustration of Catastrophizing & Fortune Telling; two of the 10 Cognitive Distortions.
Ages: 4-8
A creative story illustrating the trouble that can come from making assumptions about another’s actions without talking to them about it. After working herself up in the book and writing off her friend, she finds out their tiff was all over some miscommunication. This story is a wonderful illustration of Mind Reading & Mislabeling; two of the 10 Cognitive Distortions.
Ages: 3-7
A classic Pooh bear story about Eeyore and his negative attitude. Eeyore predicts an earthquake and his friends try to cheer him up by making him try some fun activities to make him happy. This story is a wonderful illustration of having a Negative Mental Filter, Catastrophizing and Disqualifying the Positives; three of the 10 Cognitive Distortions.
Ages: 6-9
A classic story depicting a boy who has one of the worst days of his life. This story is a wonderful illustration of having a Negative Mental Filter & Catastrophizing; two of the 10 Cognitive Distortions.
Ages: 5-8
A humorous book teaching children to stop blaming others or finding faults and instead learn to take more responsibility for their own actions. This book can also be used to introduce one of the 10 Cognitive Distortions; Blaming.
This is 1 book out of 5:
Book 2: “Baditude!: What to Do When Your Life Stinks!”
Book 3: “That RULE Doesn’t Apply To Me!”
Book 4: “Cheaters Never Prosper”
Book 5: “The PROcrastinator”
Ages: 4-8
A lovely story about an ordinary cream-colored cabbage caterpillar who despite being made fun of, keeps her cool, believes in her self-worth and displays kindness and humility. This book can also help introduce the concept of rational vs. distorted thinking when comparing things the caterpillars are saying when inside their cocoons.
Ages: 3-7
A classic story about some toys that are stranded and want to make it over the mountain. Many engines refuse the trip until along comes a little blue engine. She has never made it over the mountains before but with some determination and positive self-talk “I think I can, I THINK I CAN…” she makes it over! This is a wonderful illustration when teaching your children what to tell themselves when coping with something difficult in life and trying to increase their frustration tolerance.
Ages: 5-8
This book helps children understand and learn ways to cope with anxiety and fear. This book can also be used to introduce one of the 10 Cognitive Distortions; Emotional Reasoning - believing our emotions are facts.
Ages: 5-8
A humorous picture book teaching children about coping thoughts and how to increase their frustration tolerance by problem-solving funny scenarios.
This is book one of 9 stories from the Mindful Mantras Series (click on the link to see them all).
*As an Amazon and Promptly Journals affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. From your purchases through my links, I pledge to donate 100% royalties made to Child Impact’s Operation Child Rescue efforts.
Ages: 3 & up
Millie and Her Tangled Thoughts: A Book to Help Catch, Check, and Change Distorted Thinking artistically combines principles of cognitive behavior therapy with a children’s picture book. Each page describes relatable examples of common cognitive distortions as Millie catches, checks, and changes her tangled thoughts. This book will spark your children’s interest as they learn more about the power thoughts have on how they feel and behave and empower them with the ability to untangle negative thinking. - Nedley Health
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