Resources for Tweens

For kids and tweens aged 8-12.

group of teens showing each other phones while sitting on stairs outdoors

Kids and Tweens in Control Resources

We’ve assembled this list of books, movies, TV shows, songs, and podcasts to help kids aged 8-12 better understand and learn more about mental illnesses. We’ve also included content warnings for each resource for any potential triggers or distressing themes.  Please use discretion and care when choosing which resources you share with your child.

  • Books

    We’ve put together this list of books and stories to help tweens and children 8-12 better understand and learn more about mental illnesses. We’ve also included content warnings for each resource for any potential triggers or distressing themes.

    • Link to printable PDF

    • Link to printable PDF

    • Link to printable PDF

    • Link to printable PDF

    • Themes: neurodiversity, tics

      CW: ADHD, Tourette’s

    • Themes: disability, identity, found family

      CW: war, abuse

    • Themes: anxiety, OCD treatment

      CW: compulsions

    • Themes: OCD, anxiety

      CW: OCD

    • Themes: OCD, anxiety, school

      CW: OCD

    • Themes: family dynamics, change, OCD

      CW: divorce, anxiety, compulsions

    • Themes: emotions, mindfulness, self-care

      CW: depression

    • Themes: sadness, empathy

      CW: depression

    • Themes: eating disorders, recovery, body image, diversity, cognitive reframing

      CW: anorexia, OCD

    • Themes: friendship, neurodiversity, eating disorders

      CW: food trauma

    • Themes: anxiety/worry, CBT

      CW: anxiety, OCD

    Movies & TV

    We’ve put together this list of movies and TV shows to help kids and tweens aged 8-12 better understand and learn more about mental illnesses. We’ve also included content warnings for each resource for any potential triggers or distressing themes.

    • Themes: emotions, anger, sadness, fear, growing up

      CW: depression, anxiety

    • Themes: love, redemption/forgiveness, honor, empathy, loss, war, disability

      CW: genocide, loss/trauma, abuse, gaslighting, death, racism/xenophobia, body horror, brainwashing, PTSD, fantasy violence

      Episodes: “Southern Air Temple”, “Warriors of Kyoshi”, “Winter Solstice”, “Jet”, “The Great Divide”, “The Storm”, “The Deserter”, “Seige of the North”, “Zuko Alone”, “The Desert”, “Appa’s Lost Days”, “Lake Laogai”, “The Earth King”, “The Avatar and the Firelord”, “The Puppetmaster”, “Day of the Black Sun”, “The Firebending Masters”, “The Boiling Rock”, “Sozin’s Comet”

    • Themes: immigrant families, queer identity, complex family dynamics

      CW: PTSD, anxiety, sexism/homophobia, racism, stalking, addiction/alcoholism, past sexual assault, hate speech

      Episodes: “Outside”, “What Happened”, “This is It”, “Anxiety”, “Pride & Prejudice”, “Drinking and Driving”, “The Turn”

    Music

    We’ve put together this list of songs and music to help kids and tweens aged 8-12 better understand and learn more about mental illnesses.

    • Themes: feelings, emotions

      Listen here

    • Themes: mindfulness, self-regulation

      Listen here

    • Themes: feelings, happiness

      Listen here

    Podcasts

    We’ve put together this list of podcasts and other media to help kids and tweens aged 8-12 better understand and learn more about mental illnesses. We’ve also included content warnings for each resource for any potential triggers or distressing themes.

    • Themes: resilience, mindfulness, neurodivergency, meditation

      Listen here

    • Themes: growth, confidence

      Listen here

    • Themes: role models, education, female empowerment

      Listen here

    • Themes: feelings, school troubles, mental illness and mental health

      CW: bullying, suicide, depression, anxiety