Stories and Fictions for Children and Teens about Changes and Transitions

Copyright 2024 Jia Rebecca Li Psychotherapy

Over the years, I've gathered some stories and books about changes and transitions in life, big or small, for young kids and adolescents.

These are NOT how-to books, but story/fiction books. I find that the how-to books tend to send readers into their head, but stories and fictions - just like music, movies, etc. - draw our emotions and allow the readers a place to feel and be with feelings. Sometimes it's hard for kids to "talk" about their difficult experiences, but books seem to offer just the right distance to get into the feelings that are difficult.

Stories don't have to parallel the content of our lives to be impactful; in fact, different settings and storylines can offer extra distance to feel safe to experience those emotions. As we feel "for the characters," we are also finding a safe place for similar emotions in us to land, to unfold, to flow through our body, and to feel acknowledged and accepted.

The list below is divided into three age groups. Age guide is approximate and each individual child's needs vary, so please excise discretion as appropriate for your child.

3rd Grade and Younger

Title / Author	Themes/Comments
Lifetimes, by Bryan Mellonie	a poetic description of different creatures and their lifespans or different times
The Mountains of Tibet, by Mordicai Gerstein	poetic, with a Buddhist framework for thinking about transitions and changes
The Kissing Hand, Audrey Penn	offers a sweet visualization to help children cope with being away from a loved one, such as 1st day of school
The Rabbit Listened, by Cori Doerrfeld	What a child needs when managing upset is a good friend who can sit with him and listens
Understanding Myself, by Mary Lamia, Phd	about intense emotions
Mood Flip Book, Peter Pauper Press, Inc
Goodnight Already! by Jory John & Benji Davies
Cat Problems, by Jory John	no problem is too big or small
Who Moved My Cheese? (picture book)
Help Your Dragon Deal with Change	one of a series about a little boy and his dragon who needs to learn about all kinds of different things
Wemberly Worries, by Kevin Henkes	a child with lots of worries can feel seen and reassured, without feeling criticized for "worrying too much"
Kalamata's Kitchen, by Sarah Thomas	support children feeling present-moment grounding, which helps to cope with anxiety, including first day of school
Santiago's Sadness, by Gabi Garcia	support children to be with their feelings - in this case, dealing with a family move - rather than avoiding or treating them as something bad/wrong
A Carousel Tale, by Elisa Kleven	A young child's experiences about negotiating authenticity/self-expression and fitting into the world
A Tale of Two Seders, by Mindy Avra Portnoy	Validates painful feelings in challenging loss/change (here, parents divorce) and celebrate adaptation and finding joy
Amaya's Anger, by Gabi Garcia	learning about difficult feelings such as anger, jealousy etc and the deeper feelings underneath them, and skills such as breathing, naming feelings, etc to cope
Tomorrow Most Likely, by Dave Eggers	A fun, silly way to talk to a child about what's "most likely" going to happen tomorrow and how delightful that can be\
There Must be More Than That!, by Shinsuke Yoshitake	children who have been exposed to adult worries (war, climate change etc) to shift from the fear of a terrible future to alternative ways that future can unfold
Kevin the Unicorn, by Jessika von Innerrebner	Normalize that there are good days and bad days, and they don't need to pretend to be happy when their inside feels differently
What to Do When You Grumble Too Much, by Dawn Huebner, Ph.D	A bit more on the "how-to" side, but helpful as an introduction about ways to be resilient when things don't go your way. Some metaphors are helpful, and kids can come up with their own metaphors
The Goodbye Book, by Todd Parr	Through the lens of a pet fish who has lost its companion, The Goodbye Book tells a touching and hopeful story about saying goodbye to someone you love. Addressing the host of emotions children experience, Todd reminds readers that it’s okay not to know all the answers, and that someone will always be there to support them. An invaluable resource for life’s toughest moments.
Lenny & Lucy, by Philip C Steed and Erin Stead	Normalizing the feelings and experiences of a young child moving to a new, unfamiliar place and making friends with the unknown
A House for Hermit Crab, by Eric Carle	A hermit crab outgroew his shell and must search for a new one. A tale about growth and adaptation
The Most Magnificent Thing, by Ashley Spires	A girl sets out to make the most magnificent thing, working through frustration and setbacks. A story about dealing with dissapointment and perseverance
Dr Suess books
Bearenstein bear books

Upper Elementary to Middle School

Title/Author	Themes/comments
The Year of the Book, by Andrea Cheng	An Asian American 4th grade girl's journey of self-discovery as she navigates changes in life. Themes of diversity, complex friendship and growth
Grenshaw, by Katherine Applegate	A story of a young boy and his imaginary friend, as his family faces financial hardship and the possibility of homelessness
The Secret of Platform 13, by Eva Ibbotson	A comic fantasy about a magical adventure to a new and strange place. Themes of adaptability and the excitement of the unknown
When You Reach Me, by Rebecca Stead	A middle school girl navigates the complexity of friendship, the unpredictability of life, and time travel and fate.
Counting by 7s, by Holly Goldberg Sloan	A girl moves to a completely new living situation after a sudden loss. Themes are overcoming grief/loss, managing transition, and finding community in unexpected places
Bridge to Terabithia, by Katherine Paterson	loss, friendship and the power of imagination

High School and Late Teen

Title/Author	Themes and comments
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie	A native American teen leaves his reservation to attend an all-white high school, tackling themes of identity, belonging, and changes and transitions
Tell Me Three Things, by Julie Buxbaum	A teen girl moves to a new city after her mother's death, gets anonymous guidance and support, and finds her place in an unfamiliar environment
Hatchet, by Gary Paulsen	A 13-year old boy surviving life in the Canadian wilderness after a plane crash. Themes of self-discovery, and adaptation to unexpected changes
Peak, by Roland Smith	(in a series) 14-year old boy attempts to become the youngest person to reach the summit of Mount Everest. A story about pushing limits, facing challenges and the journey of self-discovery
The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho	Philosophical. A young shepherd boy's quest leads him to riches for different than he ever imagined. Themes of destiny, personal legend, and the meaning of following one's dreams
The Giver	Set in a seemingly utopian society, a young boy receives the past memories of the time before sameness. Themes of conformity, individuality, and the value of emotions and memories in our lives.
A Wizard of Earthsea, by Ursula K. Le Guin	book 1 of the classic fantasy novel of a young boy with magical powers as he learns the extent of his abilities and responsibilities that come with them. coming of age story with themes of power, identity and redemption

If you have any good books to suggest, please email us your recommendations.