Books That Can Help Children Manage Their Anxiety

boy reading book-2572105_640Anxiety disorders in children are not uncommon; in fact, some studies indicate that as many as 1 in 8 children experience anxiety that impedes their social, personal and academic functioning.

Children with anxiety disorders will often try to avoid situations they perceive as threatening or in which they worry they might fail. Because of this, they are likely to miss out on important experiences, and may have hard time forming friendships, and suffer academically.

If your child is struggling with anxiety or stress, it is best to seek services early. You might also find the following children’s books, which address anxiety, stress, and accompanying emotions,  may help them understand their anxiety and give them strategies for dealing with their day-to-day challenges.

Book suggestions

Wilma Jean the Worry Machine by Julia  Cook, a former school counselor and teacher. Wilma worries about everything. Her teacher helps her figure out which things she can control and which things she can’t, and provides her with some strategies for handling her feelings.  Recommended for grades 2-5.

What to Do When You Worry Too Much: A Kid’s Guide to Overcoming Anxiety (What to Do Guides for Kids) by Dawn Huebner, a clinical psychologist. Dr. Huebner’s What to Do Guides for Kids -teach complex psychological concepts using metaphors, language, and humor. What to Do When You Worry Too Much is an interactive self-help book designed to guide 6 -12 year olds and their parents through the cognitive-behavioral techniques most often used in the treatment of generalized anxiety. 

 David and the Worry Beast: Helping Children Cope with Anxiety by Anne Marie Guanci for children age 4 and up. David learns to deal with his anxiety after he confides in his parents and the school nurse, all of who offer him the support he needs along with strategies for dealing with the “worry beast” inside him.

“Wemberly worried about everything. Big things. Little things. And things in between.”
Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes is good first-day-of-school book for children ages 4-8. Wemberly was very worried about her first day of school until she got there and met someone a lot like herself and came to realize that school was fun.

If you have concerns about your child, you can arrange a free 30-minute Care Consultation to explore options with an expert. We invite you to call or email our Care Coordinators at 650.688.3625 or careteam@chconline.org to set up an initial Parent Consultation appointment.

You might also be interested in these library resources:

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