Books to Heal (and Reconnect With) Your Inner Child

Everyone has an inner child. Sometimes, that inner child needs to be rekindled to reawaken the sense of awe or wonder that might have been dimmed by too much “adulting.” Other times, that inner child needs to be hugged, soothed, and told that they are loved.

According to psychologists, as our “inner child” influences how we think, react, and function as adults, inner child work can help heal past wounds, create a more nuanced understanding of our relationship with our inner selves, and ultimately help us lead better lives.

What better way to be kinder to yourself than to read books for your inner child? From self-help books to fiction, memoirs, and children’s books, here are book recommendations.

A word of caution, though: While books can be incredibly therapeutic, it’s important to remember that they are just one tool in the journey toward healing and self-discovery. Seek a mental health professional when needed.

SELF-HELP

Art of You: The Essential Guidebook for Reclaiming Your Creativity by James McCrae

As children, we were brimming with imagination. Our minds were free to explore and create without limits. But over time, as we grew older, some of us fell out of touch, as creativity and play were replaced with practicality and a more “adult-appropriate” mindset. This book, by conscious creativity leader James McCrae, offers a fun and immersive guide to reclaim your creativity, awaken your inner child, and reclaim your artist within. Presented in an engagingly visual style with word art, poems, memes, illustrations, and rituals, The Art of You is designed to help you find creative alignment, purpose, and flow.

Wabi Sabi: The Wisdom in Imperfection by Nobuo Suzuki

This one’s for those raised to be the “best,” the “first”, and to be nothing short of perfect. It might be time for you to unlearn perfectionism through this book about the ancient Japanese art of Wabi Sabi, which teaches you to see the beauty in the imperfect, unfinished, and impermanent. Filled with tips and haiku exercises, it guides you in applying this philosophy to every aspect of your life.

Things You Wanted to Say But Never Did: A Photographic Journal to Process Your Feelings by Geloy Concepcion (Signed Copy)

This photographic self-help journal might unlock buried memories from your childhood that can help you deal with emotional issues, heal on a deeper level, and move forward with your life. Things You Wanted to Say But Never Did is a poignant reminder of the role of art in times of personal and global unrest, illustrating how, when we share our pain, we can find and offer healing.

It Didn’t Start With You: How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who You Are by Mark Wolynn 

Did you think you got just your nose from your grandma? It turns out that we inherit more than the shape of our noses from our parents and ancestors – they also pass down their traumas. Get this groundbreaking book if you want to know more about traumatic legacies that are passed down in families over generations, and how to break that cycle.

FICTION

Grimm’s Complete Fairy Tales, Canterbury Classics (Leatherbound)

There’s nothing like fairy tales to take us back to our childhood—whether your parents read them to you at bedtime or your preschool teacher regaled you with stories from places far, far away. Now that you’re an adult, it’s time to revisit these stories and reflect on how they have shaped your beliefs and worldview.

As an added bonus, read the original, darker versions of these fairy tales—the versions that weren’t “toned down” for children’s consumption. Featuring treasured favorites like “Snow White,” “Rumpelstiltskin,” “Hansel and Gretel,” and “Cinderella,” this book will transport you back to your childhood and the stories that either astounded you or kept you up at night.

CHILDREN’S

Bluey

Bluey is the animated TV series we didn’t know we needed until we saw it. Cute and lovable characters, vibrant colors, an enthralling and danceable soundtrack, clever writing, and an honest and genuine portrayal of family that resonates both with kids and adults. What’s not to love?

Bluey serves not only as a masterclass for “positive parenting”, but also a raw portrayal of how kids really are: active, playful, full of curiosity, and brimming with imagination—a great reminder to adults who have forgotten and grown up. Many viewers rave about Bluey, calling it “cathartic and calming,” a show that teaches you to reconnect with your inner child and stand up for yourself. Besides binge-watching the show, grab yourself a copy of these Bluey titles, all the better to soothe your inner child, dear bookworm.

Howl’s Moving Castle by Dianne Wynn Jones

If you’ve ever felt like you had to grow up too fast when you were a kid, this whimsical and fun fairy tale by Dianne Wynn Jones, filled with magic, wonder, and fantasy, will bring joy to your heart.

Sophie, the eldest of three sisters, who works as a hatter in a hat shop, is destined to fail miserably should she ever leave home to seek her fate. But when she is cursed by the Witch of the Waste and turned into an old lady, Sophie knows her only chance at breaking the spell lies in the ever-moving castle in the hills beyond, ruled by the evil Wizard Howl. An enchanting story, Howl’s Moving Castle teaches the most overworked and disillusioned adults that it takes courage to rediscover the magic within ourselves.

MEMOIR

I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

For those who have a complicated or fractured relationship with their parents, this book offers a fresh perspective on understanding and reflecting on those experiences. This emotional memoir by Jennette McCurdy is about her struggles as a former child actor—including eating disorders, addiction, and a complicated relationship with her overbearing mother—and how, with courage and kindness, she finally retook control of her life.

FILM AND PERFORMING ARTS

Barbie: The Screenplay by Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach

As children, we adored Barbie dolls for their beauty, fun, and universal appeal. However, as we grew older and more critical, we came to understand that Barbie also represented societal ideas of gender stereotypes and unrealistic beauty standards. Enter Greta Gerwig, who brilliantly reimagined Barbie, turning the narrative on its head.

If you’re looking to reconnect with your inner child—the part of you that once idolized and aspired to be like Barbie—this is your chance. Empower yourself with a feminist retelling of who and what Barbie represents through the iconic screenplay, now available in print. Hi, Barbie!

Connect with your inner child and prioritize your mental health through the power and magic of books. Check out the books in Fully Booked’s Mental Health Collection.

Disclaimer: Article used with permission from Fully Booked

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