Grades
PreK - 2
10+ Books to Help Students Deal With Anxiety and Worry
Navigate feelings of anxiousness with titles that foster self-compassion in students.
10+ Books to Help Students Deal With Anxiety and Worry
While worry and anxiety are natural human emotions, they can be difficult for young students to fully grasp, process, and cope with. The incredible books for kids on this list tenderly examine how young learners can express their worries, ask for support, and face new challenges — even when they don’t feel so bold.
Students might feel separation anxiety when they leave their loved ones to attend school, daycare, or camp. The Kissing Hand is a heartwarming picture book about acknowledging Chester’s fears of leaving his family and coming up with strategies to cope with those emotions. The uplifting message and endearing illustrations will ease your students' nerves.
There are also times when students worry they'll be judged for their likes and dislikes. In A Bad Case of Stripes, Camilla Cream feels embarrassed for liking lima beans and is worried about what her peers think of her. This empowering story, with social-emotional themes, will teach your students to embrace their differences and feel confident about their unique traits.
Shop impactful social-emotional books about anxiety and worry below! You can find all books and activities at The Teacher Store.
Wemberly worried about spilling her juice, about shrinking in the bathtub, even about snakes in the radiator. She worried morning, noon, and night. But when she meets a fellow worrywart in her class, Wemberly realizes that school is too much fun to waste time worrying!
This follow-up to It's Okay to Be Different embraces life's happy accidents, the mistakes, and mess-ups that can lead to self discovery.
This tender picture book introduces children to the benefits of expressing their anxieties.
Janan Cain's delightful The Way I Feel has drawn praise from parents, educators, and medical professionals across the country. For teachers, this book is an entry point to discussions about pride and disappointment.
Sometimes I Kaploom masterfully explores how hard it can be for children when they're nervous or scared and have to transition to new places and faces when they just don't feel quite ready. In another poignant, honest, and insightful story, readers learn along with Katie that bravery and fear are not mutually exclusive.
It's Pete the Cat's first day of school! He's wearing his totally awesome school shoes, which take him all over the school. From the library to the playground, Pete encounters one new place after another. But he knows he has nothing to worry about, because he's ready for anything in his special red shoes!
With his signature blend of playfulness and sensitivity, the author explores some common worries and assures readers that everyone is afraid sometimes.
Bumble and Bee love to buzz around the pond and make mischief. Their cranky best friend Froggy prefers the peace and quiet of sitting on a lily pad. They may be an unlikely trio, but no matter what these friends dream up—from picture day problem-solving to a comical cure for the hiccups—you can count on hilarious, unexpected FUN!
Camilla Cream is very worried about what other people think about her, but at the very moment she most wants to fit in, she becomes completely covered in colorful stripes!
Our favorite worrier is back, and Stuart is about to start third grade. As he makes his way to the first day of school, wearing the worst outfit ever, what could a first-rate worrier do but worry?
It's a beautiful day and Worrysaurus has planned a special picnic. But it isn't long before a small butterfly of worry starts fluttering in his tummy...
To help ease Chester's fears, Mrs. Raccoon shares a family secret called "the Kissing Hand" to give him the reassurance of her love any time his world feels a little scary.
Each book in this series is perfect for talking about emotions, boosting self-esteem, and reinforcing good behavior for preschoolers. This vibrant set with illustrated animals is designed for sharing in a classroom, or at home, with key discussion words that pop in bold type.
Told with gentle humor by Alison McGhee and brought to exuberant life by New Yorker cartoonist Harry Bliss, this lighthearted take on pre-kindergarten anxiety will bring a smile to the face of every child - and parent - having first-day jitters.
When Jessica's teacher tells everyone in class to find 100 things to bring to school for their 100th day, Jessica starts to worry. She wants to bring something really good. but what?
Llama Llama just can't get out of bed. It's his first day of school, and he's not too happy about it. Still, he trudges along and makes his bed, brushes his teeth, and eats his breakfast.
This mindfulness book showcases the relaxing and calming technique of belly breathing, a tool everyone can use to improve concentration and relieve tension.
What's the matter with Leo?" his father asks, when Leo can't read, write, draw, eat neatly or speak. "He's just a late bloomer", explains his mother. And sure enough, one day in his own good time, Leo shows everyone how glorious it is to finally bloom.
Oskar and Aya are best friends who do everything together. Oskar especially loves taking Aya to the construction site where his aunt works. While most of the time they have loads of fun together, sometimes Oskar feels sad and wants to be alone. And that can leave Aya feeling helpless.
Can Maggie outsmart her allergies and find the perfect pet? With illustrations by Michelle Mee Nutter, Megan Wagner Lloyd draws on her own experiences with allergies to tell a heartfelt story of family, friendship, and finding a place to belong.
