27 Mar Children’s Books about Anxiety

Posted at 13:07h in Kids, Readers' Advisory by Maureen

Most children and people experience worry and fears in new environments and unsure situations at some point in their lives. Yet some children and adults experience anxiety more regularly. According to The National Institute of Mental Health Childhood, anxiety disorders are very common, affecting one in eight children. It is important as caregivers to understand what anxiety is and how it can affect children. The following book list is a mixture of non-fiction and fiction with themes of anxiety.

These books can all be found at the Plainfield Guilford Township Public Library in the Children’s collection.

Picture Books

Anxious Charlie to the Rescue by Terry Milne / call number: E FIC Milne

Friends call one morning asking for Charlie’s help and he forgets to follow his usual routine. Charlie fears something bad will happen but wonders if change can also be good. This is a touching story by Terry Milne about a nervous little dog named Charlie and his ability to overcome his fear of change.

Early Readers

Much Too Much Birthday by J.E. Morris / call number: E REA FIC Morris

“Maud the koala has happily invited all fifty-six of her friends to her birthday party, but when the crowd arrives she feels overwhelmed and needs to be alone”. This book includes a note to caregivers.

Non-fiction

Anxiety and Phobias by Carrie Iorizzo / call number: J 616.85 Iorizzo

This book looks at different anxiety disorders, including their causes, symptoms, effects and treatment options. There is a chapter on caring for others with anxiety and how anxiety can affect young people with siblings and parents who have them.

Why Do I Feel So Worried? A Kid’s Guide to Coping With Big Emotions by Tammi Kirkness / call number: J 152.46 Kirkness

This book, geared towards kids ages 7 to 12, can help find the right calming activities for anxiety. This is an interactive, step-by-step guide that can be used to help work through anxiety.

Chapter Books

How to Make Friends With the Sea by Tanya Guerrero / call number: J FIC Guerrero

How to Make Friends with the Sea is a middle grade novel set in the Philippines about a young boy’s challenges with anxiety whose mother takes in an orphaned girl with a facial anomaly.