10 Therapeutic Books & Toys for Children This Holiday

With the season of giving upon us, you’re likely searching for thoughtful gifts that build connection and resilience rather than just adding to the toy clutter. As a licensed psychotherapist specializing in child development, I’ve compiled my top ten therapeutic resources that make excellent holiday gifts while supporting your child’s emotional growth and mental health.

These aren’t just books and toys—they’re evidence-based tools that help children develop crucial skills like emotional regulation, anxiety management, growth mindset, and healthy social interactions. Whether you’re shopping for your own children or looking for meaningful gifts for young relatives, this therapist-approved list offers something for every child’s emotional development needs.

1. “The Little Spot” Series by Diane Alber

The Little Spot books, songs, and activities are a fun must-have for every family! Check out the Emotion, Feelings, Emotional Regulation, Life Skills, and Takes Action book sets. There’s a book for just about every topic you can think of, plus cards, plushies, and games that make learning about emotions interactive and engaging.

Why therapists love it: These resources use colorful, approachable characters to help children identify and understand complex emotions in age-appropriate ways.

2. “The What to Do When” Series

These interactive workbooks rooted in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) are an excellent resource for parents and children working together on emotional challenges.

Titles include:

• “What to Do When Your Temper Flares, You Grumble Too Much, You Worry Too Much, and Your Brain Gets Stuck” by Dawn Huebner, PhD
• “What to Do When Mistakes Make You Quake, It’s Not Fair, and You Feel Too Shy” by Jacqueline B. Toner, PhD and Claire A.B. Freeland, PhD
• “What to Do When You Don’t Want to Be Apart” by Kristen Lavallee, PhD and Silvia Schneider Dr. rer. nat.

Why therapists love it: These workbooks provide structured, evidence-based activities that teach children practical coping strategies they can use immediately.

3. “The Power to Choose” Series by Ganit & Adir Levy

Encourage your child to make helpful behavioral choices and explore the consequences of their actions with these Choose Your Own Adventure-style books—”What Should Danny Do?” and “What Should Darla Do?” With multiple stories and endings, your child will reach for them again and again!

Why therapists love it: These books empower children to understand cause and effect while developing decision-making skills and personal responsibility.

4. “Good Inside” by Dr. Becky Kennedy, PhD

This one’s for you, parents! Written by one of the most popular parenting experts today, this book is a practical guide to raising resilient, emotionally healthy kids. Feel understood and get actionable strategies and scripts you can use right away.

Why therapists love it: Dr. Kennedy’s approach aligns with evidence-based parenting principles while offering compassionate, realistic guidance for modern families.

5. Socioemotional Songs for Kids

Listen or sing along to these feel-good songs that encourage communication, confidence, and calm:

• “The Feelings Song” by Heidi Rojas
• “The Boundaries Song” by Hopscotch
• “I Can Do Hard Things” by Narwhals and Waterfalls
• “What My Body Needs” by Sara Rogers
• “Just Be” by Kira Willey

Why therapists love it: Music engages children’s brains differently than reading, making emotional concepts more memorable and accessible.

6. Growth Mindset & Flexibility Books

• “A Little Spot of Flexible Thinking and Disappointment” by Diane Alber
• “Your Thoughts Matter” by Esther Pia Cordova
• “Bubble Gum Brain” by Julia Cook
• “It’s My Way or the Highway” by Julia Cook
• “Growth Mindset Ninja” by Mary Nhin

Why therapists love it: Growth mindset is a research-backed concept that helps children develop resilience, perseverance, and a positive attitude toward challenges.

7. Anxiety Management Books

• “Ruby Finds a Worry” by Tom Percival
• “Wilma Jean the Worrying Machine” by Julia Cook
• “The Whatifs” by Emily Kilgore
• “There’s a Bully in My Brain” by Kristin O’Rourke
• “Don’t Feed the Worry Bug” by Andi Green

Why therapists love it: These books normalize anxiety and provide child-friendly metaphors that help kids understand and manage their worried thoughts.

8. Anger & Emotional Regulation Books

• “Ravi’s Roar” by Tom Percival
• “Pause Power” by Jennifer Law
• “Some Days I Flip My Lid” by Kellie Doyle Bailey
• “I Just Don’t Like the Sound of No!” by Julia Cook
• “Of Course It’s A Big Deal!” by Bryan Smith

Why therapists love it: These stories teach children about their emotional responses and provide concrete strategies for self-regulation before big feelings become overwhelming.

9. Friendship & Social Skills Books

• “The Not-So-Friendly Friend: How to Set Boundaries for Healthy Friendships” by Christina Furnival
• “Meesha Makes Friends” by Tom Percival
• “Harrison P. Spader, Personal Space Invader” by Christianne Jones
• “The Great Compromise” by Julia Cook
• “Way Past Sorry” by Hallee Adelman

Why therapists love it: Social skills are foundational to mental health, and these books help children navigate complex interpersonal situations with confidence.

10. ADHD & Executive Function Books

• Executive FUNction Series by Bryan Smith: “Fix it with Focus,” “Time to Get Started,” “I’ll Never Get All of That Done!,” “It Was Just Right Here!,” “What Were You Thinking?” and 5 more
• “A Dragon with ADHD” by Steve Herman
• “My Whirling Twirling Motor” by Merriam Sarcia Saunders
• “My Wandering Dreaming Mind” by Merriam Sarcia Saunders
• “Baxter Turns Down His Buzz” by James M. Foley

Why therapists love it: These books help children with attention challenges understand their unique brains while learning practical organizational and focus strategies.

How to Use These Resources Effectively

With this list, you may be feeling both excited and overwhelmed. Remember: you don’t need to buy every book today. Start with one or two stories that resonate with your child’s current challenges or developmental stage. Then introduce them proactively while everyone is calm, rather than trying to teach in the heat of an emotional moment.

Pro tips for success:

• Read together regularly, making it part of your bedtime or calm-down routine
• Ask open-ended questions about the characters’ feelings and choices
• Practice the strategies together as a family
• Revisit favorite books when facing similar challenges in real life

You are the expert on your child. Use these evidence-based resources to start meaningful conversations and grow together throughout the holiday season and beyond.

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Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health at Lukin Center

At Lukin Center for Psychotherapy, we understand that raising emotionally healthy children requires both education and support. Our licensed therapists specialize in child and adolescent therapy using evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, and the Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) program.

Whether your child struggles with anxiety, anger management, social skills, or ADHD-related challenges, our compassionate professionals are here to help. We offer individual therapy, family therapy, and specialized group therapy programs across our seven Northern New Jersey locations in Chatham, Englewood, Hoboken, Jersey City, Montclair, Ridgewood, and Westfield, as well as through secure teletherapy.

Ready to support your child’s emotional growth with professional guidance? Contact Lukin Center at 201-409-0393 or visit our contact page to schedule a consultation with Dr. Lukin, who personally matches every family with the right therapist for their unique needs.

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About the Author:

Lauren Bomberg, LPC, BC-DMT is a Licensed Psychotherapist and Board-Certified Movement Psychotherapist at Lukin Center for Psychotherapy, calling all “deeply feeling kids,” “highly sensitive people,” overthinkers, overachievers, and overwhelmed mothers. Lauren specializes in treating young children with neurodevelopmental, social-emotional, and behavioral challenges while supporting their parents with positive solutions. Adult work often focuses on navigating life transitions and stressors, relationships, parenting, or occupational pressures.

Lauren uses evidence-based, solution-focused, and strengths-based approaches to creatively engage children in meeting their individualized treatment goals. She supports parents with positive parenting tips and scripts aligned with family values. Particularly passionate about treating anxiety and related disorders, she has professional training in the scientifically-proven Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) program.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What age range are these books appropriate for?

Most of these resources are designed for children ages 3-12, though specific books target different developmental stages. The “Little Spot” series works well for preschoolers, while the “What to Do When” workbooks are ideal for elementary-age children.

Can these books replace therapy for my child?

While these resources are excellent tools for emotional development, they’re not substitutes for professional mental health treatment. If your child is struggling with persistent anxiety, behavioral challenges, or emotional regulation difficulties, consider consulting with a licensed child therapist.

How do I choose which book is right for my child?

Observe your child’s current challenges and interests. If they frequently worry, start with anxiety-focused books. If they struggle with anger outbursts, begin with emotional regulation stories. You can also ask your child’s therapist for personalized recommendations.

Are these books evidence-based?

Many of these books incorporate principles from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness, and other research-supported approaches to child mental health. The “What to Do When” series is explicitly rooted in CBT techniques.

Where can I find these books?

Most titles are available through major book retailers, online bookstores, and local libraries. Supporting local bookstores in New Jersey communities helps strengthen your neighborhood while giving you personalized recommendations.