A child’s mental health is important. And just like adults, kids worry about the world around them. Which is why children’s books about anxiety are an important addition to any home library.
Kids learn and grow incredibly fast! As a result, they often find themselves in new situations and environments which cause them worry and stress.
New schools, new friends, new activities… it’s no wonder anxiety in children is a thing.
We’d be nervous too! This is where children’s books about anxiety come in.
Reading stories about kids with anxiety who learn to cope with their fears can help comfort your child in a meaningful way.
These books also help normalize anxiety in kids and let little ones know they aren’t alone in their fears.
Other kids have felt the same way and learned how to overcome their worries.. And your child can too!
So check out our list of the 10 best children’s books about anxiety.
Reading stories like this can help a child understand where their worries come from. These books also provide lessons and coping strategies that will stick with your kids so they’ll be better able to handle change as they grow up.
Children’s Books About Anxiety
1. David And The Worry Beast
Author: Anne Marie Guanci
Age: 4-9 Years Old
Beautifully illustrated, David And The Worry Beast teaches children how to conquer their fears instead of trying to avoid them.
The main character, David, can’t stop thinking about a mistake he made until his parents and the school nurse offer him support and techniques he can use to help control the “worry beast” within him.
2. Wilma Jean The Worry Machine
Author: Julia Cook
Age: 5-8 Years Old
Wilma Jean The Worry Machine is a fun story that uses humor to address the problem of anxiety in a way kids can relate to. The goal of the book is to give children tools to lessen the severity of their anxiety.
A great lesson in a story kids will enjoy reading!
RELATED: 9 Tips For Helping Kids With Anxiety
3. What Do You Do When You Worry Too Much
Author: Dawn Huebner
Age: 6-12 Years Old
What to Do When You Worry Too Much is an interactive self-help book designed to guide kids and their parents through the behavioral techniques most often used to treat of generalized anxiety.
Written by a child psychologist, the book is engaging, encouraging, and easy to follow. It gives kids clear ways to help anxiety and empowers them to work towards overcoming the fears that hold them back.
4. When Worry Takes Hold
Author: Liz Haske
Age: 5-8 Years Old
When Worry Takes Hold describes a common fear trigger for kids, the time before bed when the lights are about to go off. Worry sneaks into Maya’s mind and continues to grow until there’s no space for other thoughts.
What makes this one of our favorite children’s books about anxiety is that the story addresses how Maya makes the decision to replace worry with courage by calm breathing.
It’s not like Maya never worries again, it’s that she learns to recognize her worries and move on before they take over.
RELATED: 7 Ways To Ease Back To School Anxiety
5. Is A Worry Worrying You?
Author: Ferida Wolff
Age: 4-8 Years Old
Is A Worry Worrying You? This is a fun book that addresses children’s worries with humor and imagination.
It teaches kids how to use perspective and creative problem solving to help diminish whatever is worrying them. A powerful lesson!
6. The Worry Glasses
Author: Donalisa Helsley
Age: 3-9 Years Old
The Worry Glasses tells the story of MJ, who pretty much worries about everything!
That is until she learns how to be more confident, take off her “worry glasses”, and take control of her anxiety. Kids will want to be like MJ!
7. I Can Handle It!
Author: Laurie Wright
Age: 4-8 Years Old
If you think “I can handle it!’ sounds a little bit like a mindful mantra, you’d be right! The book’s main character, Sebastien, learns the power of positive self-talk and how it can help reduce everyday anxieties.
This book also helps kids see that they are capable of solving their own problems, giving their self-esteem a nice boost.
RELATED: Bring Calm To Chaos: 6 Simple Mindfulness Exercises For Kids
8. Don’t Feed The Worry Bug
Author: Andi Green
Age: 4-8 Years Old
Don’t Feed The Worry Bug is the story of Wince (the monster of worry) and his rival (the worry bug).
This fun and clever book brings to life the emotion of fear and shares the secret to keeping worries from getting too big in a way kids can understand.
9. How Big Are Your Worries Little Bear?
Author: Jayneen Sanders
Age: 3-9 Years Old
Little Bear is a big worrier. He worries about everything! But with Mama Bear’s help and support, he learns to control his anxieties so they’re not so big anymore.
Also included are helpful Discussion Questions for parents, caregivers and educators, and extra hints to help children manage anxiety.
10. Tomorrow Is Near But Today Is Here
Author: Asaf Rozanes
Age: 4-8 Years Old
Tomorrow is Near But Today is Here is a much needed book to help modern-day kids cope with stress, anxiety, and disorders such as ADHD.
It helps children be present and focus on the now, so they don’t worry so much about the future.
11. Playing with Anxiety: Casey’s Guide for Teens and Kids
Author: Reid Wilson and Lynn Lyons
Age: 9-14 Years Old
In Playing with Anxiety: Casey’s Guide for Teens and Kids, our fourteen year old narrator Casey knows just what it’s like to be miserable. And after a series of unlucky events, Casey and her mom have had enough!
They decide it’s time to stop being timid and solve the puzzle called worry. Casey is focused on her goal, but brings in a lot of spunk and humor along the way to keep it interesting.
This is a great book for slightly older kids who are nervous about trying new things.
Hopefully you’ve found some wonderful children’s books about worrying that will help support your child and kickstart some important conversations about anxiety.
Be sure to seek help from a psychologist or other health care professional if you feel your child’s anxiety seems out of proportion to the situation, persists despite support, or interferes with their enjoyment of life.
Related: Anxiety In Children: 19 Things Every Parent Should Know
SHARE these amazing children’s books about anxiety on Facebook and Pinterest by clicking the buttons below.
