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BOOK LIST

Beautiful Books That Encourage Every Child to Be Their Best Authentic Self

Explore stories that teach students about the importance of being true to themselves. 

By Scholastic Editors
May 21, 2024

Every child is wonderfully unique — and that’s something to celebrate! All the books in this collection embrace the things that make us different and empower students to never be afraid to be their most — and best — authentic self. 

Plus, check out these best-selling books about confidence.

The books featured here are a great starting point for classroom discussion about the qualities that make us all different, and encourage every student to be proud of what they’ve accomplished during the school year. (If you’re looking for a graduation book for your students to remember you by, every title below would make a meaningful gift!) 

The titles in this collection not only carry messages of respect and encouragement, but they also teach children to look beyond labels and appearances, while inspiring them to love and accept themselves. 

By sharing Only One You, you’ll remind your students that each and every one of them is special in their own way, as well as imparting valuable advice as they swim through the sea of life.   

Meanwhile, Be You! is a wonderful celebration of individuality and a joyful reminder that every child is unique. Through uplifting words and beautifully bright illustrations, Peter H. Reynolds reminds readers how important it is that they stay true to themselves. 

Shop books about authenticity below. You can find all books and activities at The Teacher Store

Paperback Book

Only One You

Grades Pre-K - 1
$3.71$4.95
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In plain language, parents of a brightly colored rockfish share lessons about how to swim joyfully through life.

Paperback Book

Be You!

Grades K - 2
$5.21$6.95
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This inspirational picture book reminds listeners and lap-sitters of the value of being themselves.

Paperback Book

There's Only One You

Grades Pre-K - 2
$6.71$8.95
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This inclusive picture book rejoices in the specialness of each person's beauty and ability.

Hardcover Book

Giraffes Can't Dance

Grades Pre-K - 3
$13.49$17.99
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With light-footed rhymes and high-stepping illustrations, this tale is gentle inspiration for every child with dreams of greatness.

Paperback Book

Beautiful

Grades Pre-K - 2
$4.46$5.95
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Beautiful breaks barriers by showing girls free to be themselves: splashing in mud, conducting science experiments, and reading books under a flashlight with friends.

$5.21$6.95
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Molly Lou Melon is short and clumsy and has buckteeth and a voice that sounds like a bullfrog being squeezed by a boa constrictor. But armed with the encouraging words of her grandmother, Molly Lou confidently confronts the class bully at her new school. A not-to-be missed story for the less-than-perfect part of everyone!

Paperback Book

Thelma the Unicorn

Grades K - 2
$4.46$5.95
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Thelma dreams of being a glamorous unicorn. Then in a rare pink and glitter-filled moment of fate, Thelma's wish comes true. But after a while, Thelma realizes that she was happier as her ordinary, sparkle-free self. So she ditches her horn, scrubs off her sparkles, and returns home, where her best friend is waiting for her with a hug.

Paperback Book

Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons

Grades Pre-K - 1
$6.71$8.95
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Count down with Pete in this rocking new story from the creators of the bestselling Pete the Cat books.

Paperback Book

Chrysanthemum

Grades K - 2
$6.71$8.95
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In this award-winning picture book, favorite author/illustrator Henkes captures the difficult dramas of childhood in simple text and cartoon-like illustrations. His mouse characters, depicted in energetic pen-and-ink and watercolor pictures, have all the depth and dimension of real kids (and parents). 

Paperback Book

It's Okay to Be Different

Grades K - 2
$5.21$6.95
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Deceptively simple in appearance, It's Okay to Be Different cleverly delivers its important messages of acceptance, understanding, and confidence in a child-friendly package.

Paperback Book

Brave Dave

Grades Pre-K - 1
$5.24$6.99
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Dave the bear lives in the shadow of his brother, Clarence. Clarence is tall, handsome, bold, and brave. Dave...isn't. Dave wonders if he'll ever live up to his brother's example, until he finds a special talent that's all his own.

Paperback Book

Creatrilogy: The Dot

Grades 1 - 3
$5.21$6.95
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With a simple, witty story and free-spirited illustrations, Peter H. Reynolds entices even the stubbornly uncreative among us to make a mark, and to follow where it takes us.

Paperback Book

A Bad Case of Stripes

Grades 2 - 3
$5.96$7.95
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Sure to invite discussion, this is an engaging book that imaginatively explores the risks of trying to be like everyone else.

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