Happy to Be Me! - A Kid's Book About Self-esteem

Sep 29, 2026

A children’s book centered on building self-esteem through loving affirmation, practical positive self-talk, and recognizing progress. It explains that self-esteem is not something adults can “pour in,” but a process of helping children feel cherished for simply being themselves, navigate emotions like shame and self-doubt, and grow independence with peers. Designed for caring adults, it guides how to encourage children, handle bad days and mistakes, and reinforce identity rooted in being God’s beloved.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages36

Reading Time55 min

AccessFree to download

For the young children in our lives:

A Message to Parents,Teachers,and Other Caring Adults

What Is Self-esteem?

Who Are You?

S HappytoBe Me! A Kid'sBookAboutSelf-esteemWritten byChristine Adams andRobert J.Butchlllustrated byR.W.Alley A7200 Happyto Be Me!A Kid's Book About Self-esteem Written byChristine Adams and Robert J.Butch llustrated byR.W.Alley Abbey PressSt.Meinrad,IN 47577 # For the young children in our lives: Harrison Edward HanleyBenjamin Michael FirsickJames Elliot FirsickDaryl James McKennaandDiana Mary Butch Text ◎2001 Christine Adams and Robert J.ButchIllustrations ◎2001 St.Meinrad ArchabbeyPublished by One Caring PlaceAbbey PressSt.Meinrad,Indiana 47577 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any mannerwithout written permission of the publisher,except in the case ofbrief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. Library of Congress Catalog Number2001093034 ISBN 978-0-87029-355-9 Printed in the United States of America # A Message to Parents,Teachers,and Other Caring Adults Experts say a child’s self-esteem is the best predictor of her future—whether she will make good choices as a teen,have fulfilling relationships,and become a well-adjusted adult. How,then,can we“give”children self-esteem?In reality,self-esteem is notsome magical substance we can pour into a child.It's not about having anabundance of talent,intelligence,or beauty.In fact,it's not about“having”anything at all.Instilling self-esteem in children means helping them bethemselves.We must let them know how loved and cherished they are—fortheir sheer existence.We must help them find their own special place andpurpose in the universe. Children are works in progress.In the first few years of life,they learn todeal with separation anxiety,shame,self-doubt,and guilt.They desire tomimic the adult world even as they are fighting for their own self-reliance.They encounter sibling rivalry and competition.If adults affirm and love themduring this early time,through both successes and mistakes,they will come tobelieve they are lovable.Later,as children become more socially aware,theydevelop the skills to gain independence,to get along with peers,to act out oftheir own burgeoning sense of morality. All children,of every age,need to be told they are loved and always willbe,no matter what they do or don't do.Let each child know he is special,justby being who he is.Help him to discover and develop his gifts at his own pace. What are some practical things we can suggest to children to enhance self-esteem?Emphasize the idea of being your own best friend,especially throughpositive self-talk.Show children how to recognize and handle bad days andmistakes.“Catch”them doing something right.Affirm them for their efforts. Through this book,you can remind the children in your care that they areprecious..unique…awesome..even magnificent!And through your ongoingwords and actions,you can bring to life God's infinite love for every child. —Christine Adams and Robert J.Butch # What Is Self-esteem? “Self-esteem”means how you feel about yourself. Good self-esteem is a feeling inside that remindsyou every day,“I am loved.I am good.I am happy tobe me."Good self-esteem means knowing you are awonderful person—because God made you that way. You don't have to be the fastest or smartest orbest-looking kid to have good self-esteem.You'rea star just the way you are! # Who Are You? You have a first,middle,and last name.Youhave a certain kind of hair,skin,eyes,andsmile.You are good at some things and not asgood at other things. P leople may say,“You seem like a very nice girl.”Or,“What a polite boy!”Or,“You're really goodat that."Sometimes people may say thingsabout you that are not so nice.But the wordspeople say about you are not who you are. So who are you,really?You are a special childof God.You are someone who deserves to beloved.And you are loved—by God,by yourparents,and by many other people. oVR i CLA55 MURAL

FAQs

What does self-esteem mean in this book?

Self-esteem means how you feel about yourself. It emphasizes daily reminders like “I am loved, I am good, I am happy to be me.”

How can adults help children build self-esteem?

Adults can help by letting children know they are loved and cherished for their sheer existence, affirming them through both successes and mistakes, and encouraging independence and positive peer relationships.

What practical suggestions does the book give for enhancing self-esteem?

The book suggests encouraging being your own best friend, using positive self-talk, recognizing and handling bad days and mistakes, and “catching” children doing something right to affirm their efforts.

Sep 29, 2026

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