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Menderist shares stories about how people turned difficult moments, days, and situations around. See the menu to choose stories in the categories of Relationships; Health; Work; At Home; and Outside and Around. 

Special Issues: Family Mental Health, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Memorable Gift, Teacher/Educator, Year in Review

  • people's feet on top of firepit
    Health · Relationships

    Best Mental Health Books for Kids, Tweens, and Teens

    ByAnne Elliott September 15, 2026October 16, 2026 Updated onOctober 16, 2026

    Discover 41 top-reviewed children’s books about mental health for kids, tweens and teens. Topics include anxiety, depression, bullying, and more.

    Read More Best Mental Health Books for Kids, Tweens, and TeensContinue

  • Teenagers Share Messages of Hope and Empathy
    Health · Relationships

    Teenagers Share Messages of Hope and Empathy

    ByFallon Farokhi December 28, 2025October 8, 2026 Updated onOctober 8, 2026

    Empathy and community are living on in young people, explains a school librarian. She shares an example of teens supporting each other through messages in a popular book.

    “I left the words of real teens where it was – to keep their feeling of connection through story and life alive.”

    Read More Teenagers Share Messages of Hope and EmpathyContinue

  • Parents can teach children to protect their mental health by sharing kids’ books about topics like anxiety and self-esteem.
    Health · Relationships

    12 Children’s Books About Mental Health to Read With Your Kids: Spring 2026

    ByAnne Elliott May 28, 2026October 5, 2026 Updated onOctober 5, 2026

    Here are 12 new reviews of children’s books about mental health, suggested as titles for parents and kids to share. Adults have the option of reading a book on their own, or with their child. Leading American and Canadian organizations recommend the books, which include 10 fiction titles and two guidebooks.

    We chose these books in recognition that an estimated 13 to 20 percent of mental health problems begin by the early adolescent years of 11 to 14.

    Read More 12 Children’s Books About Mental Health to Read With Your Kids: Spring 2026Continue

  • For family reading time, parents can find great books about children's mental health at Menderist.com.
    Health · Relationships

    Winter Reading: 10 Children’s Books with Mental Health Themes

    ByAnne Elliott December 9, 2025October 5, 2026 Updated onOctober 5, 2026

    Menderist is pleased to introduce its preliminary list of 10 mental-health themed books that children aged 4+ and their parents can read and discuss together. The titles are in the running for our final list of 20 books, to be released for summer 2026.

    We chose these books in recognition that an estimated 13 to 20 percent of mental health problems begin by the early adolescent years of 11 to 14.

    “Finn Connelly is nothing like his dad, a star athlete and firefighter hero who always ran toward danger….” (from a review of ‘The Trouble With Heroes’)

    Read More Winter Reading: 10 Children’s Books with Mental Health ThemesContinue

  • A camp, damaged by a derecho storm that knocked down trees and power lines, recovers thanks to families who volunteer to help clean up.
    Health · Outside & Around · Relationships

    How Family Volunteering After a Storm Helped Us Grow Closer

    ByBlair Robert September 9, 2026September 21, 2026 Updated onSeptember 21, 2026

    A derecho storm nearly derailed a summer camp’s opening day. Here’s how one family’s volunteer effort turned a crisis into one of their most meaningful days together.

    Read More How Family Volunteering After a Storm Helped Us Grow CloserContinue

  • Kid-friendly appetizer spreads, contributed to by everyone in the family, can be a low-stress dinner solution
    At Home · Health · Relationships

    How Kid-Friendly Appetizer Dinners Brought Our Family Closer

    ByAnne Elliott September 9, 2026September 21, 2026 Updated onSeptember 21, 2026

    ”What’s for dinner?” wasn’t always a welcome question: especially when picky eaters, changing tastes, and busy schedules entered the mix. How one family’s low-stress solution turned into a family tradition.

    Read More How Kid-Friendly Appetizer Dinners Brought Our Family CloserContinue

  • Family playing the card game Uno outside on a summer day.
    Health · Relationships

    Family Card Games: A Tradition Connecting Generations

    ByFallon Farokhi September 9, 2026September 18, 2026 Updated onSeptember 18, 2026

    Card games have been an important and easy way to bring my family together: they’ve crossed generations, languages, and thousands of miles.

    Read More Family Card Games: A Tradition Connecting GenerationsContinue

  • A grandmother spending time outdoors with her granddaughter.
    Health · Relationships

    How a Grandmother’s Gift of Time Helped Increase a Family’s Togetherness

    ByCheryl Oreglia August 28, 2026September 17, 2026 Updated onSeptember 17, 2026

    Her mother’s yearly gift of time helped save her marriage during the early years of parenthood. Now, she’s passing that same gift to her own family, and discovering its legacy.

    Read More How a Grandmother’s Gift of Time Helped Increase a Family’s TogethernessContinue

  • people camping in front of lake
    Health · Outside & Around · Relationships

    How to Camp as a Family: a Step-by-Step Guide

    ByBrinton Culp August 28, 2026September 17, 2026 Updated onSeptember 17, 2026

    Pitching a tent in the backyard can be the first step towards adventurous trips through national parks. Here’s a step-by-step look at how one family built confidence, courage, and connection through camping.

    Read More How to Camp as a Family: a Step-by-Step GuideContinue

  • Reading together and sharing stories help families to build strong bonds.
    Health · Relationships

    Family Bonding Activities: Books, Memories & Mealtime Traditions

    ByLinda Peters August 28, 2026September 17, 2026 Updated onSeptember 17, 2026

    From performing a favourite folktale to reenacting a family photo — how one family strengthened bonds by establishing simple traditions.

    Read More Family Bonding Activities: Books, Memories & Mealtime TraditionsContinue

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Every few weeks, people share encouraging essays, anecdotes, and stories about moments that turned their day around.

 

Menderist is a place where people share short essays, anecdotes, and stories about moments when a difficult day or situation begins turning around. We’re building a community to help each other feel less alone and more hopeful when dealing with daily challenges.

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