ADHD children’s books are the topic of our blog post today!
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re someone directly affected by ADHD or invested in helping someone who is, whether you’re a parent, educator, or even a lifelong learner. This list is for you, and it goes beyond just offering textbook solutions.
So, what can you expect from this list? Authentic voices, real-world advice, and some scientifically-backed insights. These are books that tackle ADHD from multiple perspectives—from children’s books that offer young readers characters who are like them to parent guides that are heavy on actionable advice, minus the jargon.
Related: Women with ADHD Books
ADHD Children’s Books
Check out our carefully curated list of ADHD children’s books:
1. ADHD 2.0: New Science and Essential Strategies for Thriving with Distraction, by Edward M. Hallowell M.D., John J. Ratey M.D.
In ADHD 2.0, Drs. Hallowell and Ratey offer a plan for minimizing the downside and maximizing the benefits of ADHD at any age. Drawing on the latest science, they provide strategies and lifestyle hacks for thriving with ADHD, including how to
-Find the right kind of difficult. Use these behavior assessments to discover the work, activity, or creative outlet best suited to an individual’s unique strengths.
-Reimagine environment. What specific elements to look for—at home, at school, or in the workplace—to enhance the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit inherent in the ADHD mind.
-Embrace innate neurological tendencies. Take advantage of new findings about the brain’s default mode network and other aspects of ADHD to work with one’s natural strengths.
2. 50 Activities and Games for Kids With ADHD, by Patricia O. Quinn MD, Judith M. Stern MA
This exciting collection from the popular newsletter BRAKES offers more than 50 activities and games that can help kids with ADHD handle their challenges. Boys and girls can read about real kids like themselves, while also gaining practical tips for solving problems and getting organized. The ideas presented in this book are sure to make life more manageable—and more fun!
3. Thriving with ADHD Workbook for Kids: 60 Fun Activities to Help Children Self-Regulate, Focus, and Succeed, by Kelli Miller LCSW MSW
Thriving with ADHD Workbook for Kids is written by a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist, and it offers a strength-based approach to help your child gain a better understanding of themselves, their ADHD, and the simple things they can do to feel more confident and in control.
This workbook includes plenty of helpful exercises, like skill-building activities to help establish key executive functioning skills, like dealing with anger and frustration, staying focused, controlling impulses, and communicating effectively. Plus, there are action-oriented learning lessons to help kids learn to reframe the way they think about ADHD. There are fun lessons for creating a morning routine, making a homework chart, expressing themselves when they’re upset, and more.
4. Super Emotions! by Lionel Lowry
Created by therapist Lionel Lowry, Super Emotions! A Book for Children with ADD/ADHD is a powerful tool that helps kids learn how to deal with their emotions in positive ways. The book is written like a bedtime story, with fun pictures and a Dr. Seuss inspired rhyming style. It was designed to help children with ADD/ADHD easily memorize its message and learn to cope with their emotions. This ADD/ADHD kids book teaches your children that they are not alone, that they can handle their powerful feelings, and that they are loved.
5. The Survival Guide for Kids with ADHD, by John F. Taylor Ph.D.
The Survival Guide for Kids with ADHD is an invaluable resource for any child who has been diagnosed with ADHD. Written by John F. Taylor Ph.D., the book offers practical strategies for taking care of oneself, modifying behavior, enjoying school, having fun, and dealing with doctors, counselors, and medication. In kid-friendly language and a format that welcomes reluctant and easily distracted readers, this book helps kids know they’re not alone and provides them with the tools they need to thrive. The book also features quizzes, real-life scenarios, and a special message for parents.
6. Learning To Slow Down & Pay Attention: A Book for Kids About ADHD,by Kathleen G. Nadeau, Ellen B. Dixon
Filled with practical tips, solutions, and fun activities, Learning To Slow Down & Pay Attention is a workbook designed just for kids. Updated and expanded for its third edition, this resource is packed with information on everything from homework to feeling sad or angry. There are also helpful notes and resources for parents.
Kids will learn how to:
- Get homework done on time
- Make friends and have fun
- Remember important stuff
- Deal with difficult emotions like frustration and anger
- Get ready in the morning
- Focus in school and during other activities
- Ask for help when needed
Plus, there are lots of interesting quizzes, puzzles, and games to help make learning these skills fun!
7. Marvin’s Monster Diary: ADHD Attacks!, by Raun Melmed, Annette Sexton
Marvin’s Monster Diary: ADHD Attacks! is the another great book for any kid with ADHD. Using the “monstercam” and “ST4” techniques developed by Dr. Raun Melmed of the Melmed Center in Arizona, this book teaches kids how to be mindful, observe their surroundings, and take time to think about their actions. Marvin’s hilarious doodles and diary entries chronicle his delightful adventures, misadventures, and eventual triumph in a funny, relatable way.
8. How NOT to Murder Your ADHD Kid: Instead learn how to be your child’s own ADHD coach, by Sarah Templeton
As an English-qualified counsellor, CBT therapist, and coach, Sarah Templeton has worked with hundreds of ADHD parents and knows exactly what they need to hear. In her book, How NOT to Murder Your ADHD Kid, she lays it all out in easy-to-read format, complete with space for you to make notes. You’ll find real-life examples straight from Sarah’s therapy room, along with step-by-step guidance on how to deal with everything from school issues to meltdowns.
9. What Your ADHD Child Wishes You Knew: Working Together to Empower Kids for Success in School and Life, by Dr. Sharon Saline
What Your ADHD Child Wishes You Knew is an invaluable resource for any parent of a child with ADHD. Written by Dr. Sharon Saline, based on over 25 years of experience counseling children and their families, this book offers practical advice and real-world examples to help parents create positive change in their child’s life.
Topics covered include setting mutual goals, easing academic struggles, tackling everyday challenges, and more. With useful exercises and easy-to-remember techniques, What Your ADHD Child Wishes You Knew is an important guide for any parent looking to better understand and help their ADHD child thrive.
10. ADHD Raising An Explosive Child, by Monica Payne
ADHD Raising an Explosive Child is a great guide for parents looking to help their children manage their attention disorder. It contains practical tips on recognizing and dominating the symptoms of this condition, as well as tools that you can use to maintain your composure – even in challenging situations – while helping your child stay relaxed.
You’ll find advice tailored to each age and stage of your child’s development, teaching you how not only to keep your reactions in check but to ensure that your little one does too.
11. A Beginner’s Guide on Parenting Children with ADHD, by Richard Bass
In Beginner’s Guide on Parenting Children with ADHD, Richard Bass provides parents the tools needed to detect whether their child really has ADHD—as well as how to manage it effectively by harnessing its unique strengths and teaching important emotional intelligence skills. The author also offers working strategies for dealing better with aggression, anger outbursts in public settings, teenagers not listening properly or following rules without supervision; plus advice on treatment options available such as medications and alternatives therapies. Finally–your little one will learn invaluable compassion-building social traits that enable them cope better in peer groups while avoiding isolation.
12. Raising Superstar Kids with ADHD, by Lydia Fields
In Raising Superstar Kids with ADHD, parenting expert Lydia Fields provides indispensable advice for parents of children with ADHD. This comprehensive guidebook covers everything from diagnosis to interventions, explaining how ADHD affects the brain and offering strategies to make everyday life with ADHD easier for both parents and children.
Fields also provides guidance on helping children with ADHD manage their symptoms long-term, with a focus on both medical and non-medical interventions. She offers valuable advice on topics like social skills, emotions, and academic success.
Final thoughts
Wrapping up, this list of children’s ADHD books is a curated resource for anyone invested in understanding ADHD more intimately—educators, parents, and of course, the kids themselves. Each book offers a lens to view ADHD that moves away from mere pathology and leans into understanding, acceptance, and constructive action.
For parents and educators, these books serve as an indispensable guide. They give you not just the ‘what’ but also the ‘how’—from managing daily tasks to navigating social challenges. But hey, don’t just take my word for it; each book comes with a treasure trove of actionable tips that have been tried and tested. Some of them even became a staple in my own research and recommendations.