Anxiety

Picture Books Library < Feelings < Anxiety

Picture books about Anxiety from the Little Parachutes reviews library

Children’s picture books that explore anxiety, worry and stress. While it is completely natural for children to feel anxious in new and unfamiliar environments from time to time, some children have anxiety levels that are much more debilitating. Children can experience anxiety ranging from mild apprehension through to full-blown panic. These books aim to comfort, support and engage anxious children.

The Happiest Kid

A gentle, reassuring picture book that helps children to recognise and normalise sadness and talk about big feelings

Henrietta’s Thistleberry Boots

A picture book that acknowledges that a change in routine can be challenging for many children, while at the same time demonstrating that with patience and support, it is possible to get through difficult times. A useful springboard for a conversation about uncomfortable changes, the story promotes patience, resilience and courage to face the unknown or new.

The Invisible Boy

This beautiful book promotes inclusivity and empathy, encouraging children to 'leave no-one behind' in friendship groups and to consider other people's feelings.

Charlie and the Dog Who Came to Stay: A Book About Depression

This gentle and reassuring story should chime with any young child who is living with depression, whether it is themselves or someone else who has been affected by it. A useful tool to help children to understand depression and how it can change people's feelings and behaviour, containing practical non-preachy guidance and coping strategies.

Mum’s Jumper

A thoughtful, sensitive and realistic portrayal of the thoughts and feelings of a young girl following the death of her mother.

The Worrysaurus

There are a lot of helpful messages in this picture book for a child experiencing anxiety. The Worrysaurus is full of fears and 'What If's', but he learns some useful ways to cope with challenging emotions and is able to get on with his day. A useful and entertaining way to introduce the concept of mindfulness to young children.

Impossible!

Perfect to share with children who hide their fears and worries behind "I CAN'T" or "IT'S IMPOSSIBLE', this charming picture book may encourage more of a growth mindset, help to overcome a challenge, or motivate a child to take the first step on the road to a new adventure or experience.

Jabari Jumps

A lovely exploration of how it feels to face your fears.

Sweep

This captivating picture book is a thought-provoking exploration of a young boy's bad mood and how it takes hold of him.

Ruby’s Worry

'A reassuring and sensitive book - the perfect springboard for talking to children about sharing their hidden worries no matter how big or small they may be'

What’s worrying you?

A great picture book to help children explore their worries. While it is normal to feel anxious now and then, when anxiety escalates and can't be controlled, sitting down with your child and reading this book together should help.

Almost Anything

Encourages young children to believe in themselves and to persevere. Promotes resilience and higher self-esteem.

The Red Tree

A sensitive and honest insight into feeling lost, confused and alone, with an uplifting reminder that things will be okay. Hope is always there, waiting to be found.

The Koala Who Could

An entertaining story that encourages children to try something new. Perfect for children who find change difficult.

Perfectly Norman

"Find the courage to be yourself"

A Safe Place for Rufus

This book would be a good choice for children who have experienced trauma in their lives which has left them feeling anxious in new situations. Also relevant for children who are struggling with transitions such as moving house, changing school or moving from one family to another.

Tappity-Tap What was That?

The book conveys the message that facing our fears means they are often not so scary.

A Bit Lost

Bella and Monty: A Hairy Scary Night

May comfort a child who is anxious about the dark, spiders, ghosts or monsters, and make them realise they are not alone.

The Great Big Book of Feelings

A child struggling with negative emotions may find great comfort in this sympathetic, entertaining and reassuring book which explores many different feelings: happy, sad, excited, bored, interested, angry, upset, calm, silly, lonely, scared, safe, embarrassed, shy, confident, worried, jealous and satisfied.

Billy Monster’s Daymare

Exploring common night time fears about monsters under the bed, in cupboards or lurking in shadows. This book may help to explain to a child in a humorous way that lots of people feel the same way. The humour lies in the fact that this book is about a monster having a 'daymare' about a child!

Halibut Jackson

Reassuring anxious or shy children that others experience similar emotions. Providing a positive role model who learns to accept his shyness.

Emily Brown and the Thing

In this lovely book the tables are turned (the little girl is comforting a frightened monster, who is not at all scary). This may neutralise a child's fear of monsters.

The Worry Monster

This book may help children come to terms with childhood worries and encourage them to admit mistakes and tell the truth.

What Makes Me Happy?

May help a child to identify emotions they are experiencing and encourage them to discuss any they feel uncomfortable with. Reassures children that it is normal to experience a wide range of emotions.

Milo’s Monster

This is another book in the Big Bright Feelings series by this author which deals with friendship, jealousy and what happens when a new friend comes along. It looks at what happens when the friendship dynamic changes and how to deal with this in a child friendly way.

I Talk Like A River

A moving book about how it feels to have a stutter and have difficulty expressing yourself.

Brody The Lion: The Shopping Flip

Teaching positive behaviour strategies to children experiencing big emotions, this fun picture book is particularly helpful for children with autism or sensory processing disorders.

The Lion Inside

A delightful story showing that everyone feels scared sometimes. Great for encouraging children to find their own voice.

Under the Love Umbrella

A book to comfort 'anyone who has ever felt lonely, lost or alone'. Useful for children who are experiencing separation anxiety or loneliness, it sends the comforting message that wherever you are, you are loved.

Worried (Dealing with Feeling…)

Helps to identify what worries are and provides tips and advice on how best to express and deal with them.

Supposing…

In this comforting story a little monster is helped to overcome a scary dream by imagining the many happy things he and his mother can do together.

The Colour Monster

A good book to help young children identify, recognise and explore their emotions.

William, The What If Wonder

A story about an anxious boy's first day at school that will help children recognise the difference between worry and reality.

The Worry Box

A great choice for children with occasional worries, the bear in the story is given strategies to help ease his anxiety.

Super Duper You

A positive picture book that encourages children to celebrate their uniqueness and stop worrying about not fitting in with the crowd.

The Bravest Fish

The Bravest Fish is a delightful book that follows the journey of a little fish, Stanley, after he is separated from his school and fish family. The book follows Stanley’s journey through the ocean to find his family. The story highlights the importance of being positive, never giving up and harnessing strength and bravery.

Betsy Goes to the Doctor

A story about a little girl of pre-school age called Betsy who feels unwell and is taken to see the Doctor for the first time by her mummy. She is worried about letting the Doctor look at her sore ear, but is put at ease when the kind Doctor looks at her toy penguin first.

Rooster Wore Skinny Jeans

An entertaining and amusing story that encourages children to be comfortable with and proud of who they are.

Will You Be My Friend?

This is a very useful guide to help children understand how friendships work. The content can be discussed with an adult, but could also be used as a self-help guide - a go-to resource if needed - to help children through tricky situations with their friends.