Children’s Books About Anxiety
Things can be tough, even for the little ones. Therefore, resources like children’s books about anxiety are great tools to use to help teach the little ones how to breathe through those hard times.
Anxiety has increased over the years and this is even true for children. Thus, according to The Anxiety and Depression Association of America anxiety disorders affect one in eight children. As a result, helping children with anxiety and offering them tools to learn about anxiety and to learn coping strategies can be incredibly helpful.
These ten children’s books about anxiety are great resources to help children understand anxiety and worry while also providing child-friendly tools on how to help them learn coping strategies that will strengthen as they get older and as new challenges come up.
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1. How Big Are Your Worries Little Bear?
Little Bear worries about everything! So Mama Bear helps him to see that his worries aren’t as big as they seem. In this book children will learn how to overcome everyday worries and fears.
In addition, this book is that they include discussion questions that parents, therapists, teachers or caregivers can use to help children manage their anxiety.
2. A Little Spot of Anxiety
Anxiety can affect all ages and shows up in all kinds of situations. In this book, the author creates a visual representation so that the child can see when the anxiety spot gets too big and how to make it go back to a peaceful spot. Therefore, it helps give children creative strategies to help cope when they feel anxious or worried.
3. Wilma Jean The Worry Machine
This book offers creative strategies that can be used by parents, therapists, teachers or caregivers to help reduce anxiety in children. So the goal of the book is to provide children with tools to feel in control of their anxiety.
In addition, the book includes a note with tips that is useful for parents, therapists, teachers or caregivers.
4. When My Worries Get Too Big!
A Relaxation Book for Children Who Live With Anxiety
This book is filled with ways for children to participate in developing their own self-calming strategies. For that reason the author of the book uses a 5-point scale and imagery to teach Emotion Regulation skills to young learners. In addition, it has a a special section on evidence-based teaching activities for parents, therapists, teachers or caregivers.
5. What to Do When You Worry Too Much: A Kid’s Guide to Overcoming Anxiety (What-to-Do Guides for Kids)
This author of this book is psychologist Dawn Huebner, PhD. In addition, she has a specialty in working with children. In the book she guides children through Cognitive Behavioral Techniques (CBT) which is a commonly used treatment of anxiety. For instance, she makes it easy to understand for children and uses metaphors, humor and clearly defined steps for children to develop skills to reduce anxiety.
6. Coping Skills for Kids Workbook: Over 75 Coping Strategies to Help Kids Deal with Stress, Anxiety and Anger
This author, Janine Halloran, is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with over 15 years of experience working with children and adolescents. This book works well with children over the age of 6 and provides ways to teach children to calm down, balance their energy and emotions, and process challenging feelings. So if you’re a parent, therapist, counselor, teacher or caregiver this is a wonderful book to include in your library of tools.
7. Ruby Finds a Worry (Big Bright Feelings)
This book helps children learn about what to do when a worry won’t leave you alone. It is a great book to talk to your children about emotional intelligence and hidden anxieties. It is a great tool to get children to talk about their feelings. For instance, this is a perfect book for toddlers and preschoolers.
8. CBT Workbook for Kids: 40+ Fun Exercises and Activities to Help Children Overcome Anxiety & Face Their Fears at Home, at School, and Out in the World
The cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) strategies and activities in this book are geared towards children between the ages of 6-10 to help cope with their worried thoughts and feelings. The author, Heather Davidson, Psy.D, BCN, is a New York State licensed psychologist with specialized training in child and adolescent treatment and board certification in neurofeedback.
9. Pilar’s Worries
This book is about a little girl who loves to dance but gets anxious when it comes time for tryouts. But by using some of the coping techniques she is able to persevere. Thus, this gentle story is a great tool for children dealing with anxiety.
10. Wemberly Worried
This is another book that is great for toddlers and preschoolers. Wemberly worries about everything no matter how big or small it may be. In addition, this book is especially good for children starting preschool or kindergarten.
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