When young readers are dealing with challenging times, the right book can often make all the difference. Whether it’s big changes like a family move or medical diagnosis, new challenges like bullying or a doctor’s visit, or family hardships like grief or mental health conditions, books that tackle tough subjects in sensitive ways can help children find the courage to brave the new and scary.

Here are a few of our recent and upcoming titles we recommend; what are some of yours?

Ours: A Story of Loss and Healing by Mandy Settembre, illus. by Fran Matsumoto

I Am Rare by Melissa White Boyer, illus. by Marcin Piwowarski

My Name Is Harriet Mansoor (Not Hairy Man Suit!) by Dr. Haley Massey, illus. by Rashin Kheiriyeh

Coat of Many Colors: 10th Anniversary Edition by Dolly Parton, illus. by Brooke Boynton-Hughes

Visit to the Doctor by Derek Shun, illus. by Benson Shum

Together for Mama: A Story of Hope and Healing by Pooja Makhijani, illus. by Nadia Alam

Milton Makes a Move by Jonathan Graziano, illus. by Dan Tavis

Heartfelt thanks to Tu Books, Lee & Low Books, Yuni Press, Penguin Workshop, Rocky Pond Books, Penguin Young Readers, Margaret K. McElderry Books, and SimonKIDS for copies of these!