Carnegie Library’s “Here to Help” offers 35 booklists for kids with big and small problems

From giving up binkies to braving that first day of school, the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh librarians compiled booklists on 35 subjects organized under the heading “Here to Help.”

Children specialists from across the library’s coverage area collaborate to continually revise the family booklists. Each list was developed in response to a parent looking for a specific topic.

The books help adults but are focused on kids. Rather than formal self-help guides, these stories are full of lively illustrations and interesting characters who are dealing with the same challenges.

Having trouble getting little ones to settle down to sleep? You might make a connection with the panda in “Chengdu Could Not, Would Not, Fall Asleep” or “Monster Trouble,” in which a little girl tries to scare cute monsters out of her room.

“No More Pacifier for Piggy!” covers a familiar toddler topic, while “Thumb Love” tells the tale of a girl who works on a 12-step program to give up her thumb-sucking habit.

More serious subjects are included, too. Grief is represented by books like “Sweet, Sweet Memory,” in which funny memories about Grandpa eventually replace the sadness of his death, and “Ida, Always,” based on the true-life Central Park polar bears, Ida and Gus.

Bullying, divorce, and child abuse are covered as well.

The library staff believes that sharing stories together and having conversations can help children understand the world around them. Seeing diverse experiences represented in books helps children to explore their own identities and develop empathy for others.

Development disabilities get attention with “How to Speak to an Autistic Child,” written by a 14-year-old boy, “Kids Like Me Learn Colors” about Down syndrome, and “It’s OK to Be Different.”

Dipping into these books – even when your kids are not having problems – can be great launching points for discussion.

The books are not available in every branch but can be requested. New titles are being added to the “Here to Help” lists constantly, but if you have one to suggest, your neighborhood librarian is happy to receive the help.