Childhood Anxiety: Top 5 Books for Kids with Big Worries

If you're a parent of a child dealing with anxiety, you know the feeling of wanting to do everything in your power to ease your child's emotional pain. As we've shared in a previous post, our eldest daughter has been on a unique journey with anxiety and reading has been an integral part of our family's bedtime routine right from her infancy. In this blog, we're excited to share our Top 5 Books for Kids with Big Worries. These books have played a pivotal role in supporting our 7-year-old as she works through her feelings and comes to understand that she's not alone in her worries.

“I Am Human" by Susan Verde, Art by Peter H. Reynolds:

This book has nestled its way into our hearts because of its relatable portrayal of a young child's journey of self-discovery. Through the pages, our daughter learned that it's not only important to be kind and compassionate to others but also to herself. More crucially, it helped her grasp the idea that everyone makes mistakes and faces different obstacles in life.

What made this book particularly resonant with our 7-year-old was its message about the inevitability of making mistakes and how there's no need to fear or worry about them. It also delved into the realm of sad feelings and how they can take residence in one's heart, a concept that struck a chord with her. It's often a challenge for her to articulate her worries, but she recognizes that they weigh her down. After finishing the book, she took away the message that she's not alone in her worries, and that we're all human.

"Worries Go Away" by Kes Gray & Lee Wildish:

This book couldn't have come into our lives at a better time. It tells the tale of a young girl who tries to shut out the world and embarks on a mental journey filled with delightful things like birds singing, ice cream, and treats. Yet, as her worries swell and become unmanageable, she finds herself feeling lost in the dark. It's in this moment of despair that she discovers a door with a key, leading her to a room full of people who love and care for her.

This story hit home with our daughter like a ray of sunshine through the clouds. It was as if a light switched on in her mind, and she realized that it's absolutely okay to talk about our worries. In fact, the more we discuss them, the lighter the burden becomes. She internalized the message that she's not alone, that there's a support system in place to help her through any worry.

"Ruby Finds a Worry" by Tom Percival:

This beautifully illustrated book skillfully portrays how a worry can start as a small seed and grow into something colossal. Ruby, the protagonist, keeps her worry tucked away, but she soon learns that it continues to expand and hinder her happiness. Along her journey, she befriends someone who also grapples with worries. Through open conversation, they discover that their worries start to dwindle.

This book serves as a poignant reminder for our little one about the importance of sharing feelings. Worries may appear enormous at times, but when spoken aloud, they become manageable. It's a story of resilience and the normalization of worries, and our daughter embraced it wholeheartedly.

"I Can Do Hard Things" by Gabi Garcia, Illustrated By Charity Russell:

Affirmations hold a special place in our household. They're an integral part of our bedtime and morning routines. When we came across this book, it felt like a perfect match because it mirrors a line we have our children repeat every day: "I Can Do Hard Things." The book concentrates on nurturing mental growth and is teaming with self-affirmations. These affirmations touch upon thoughts, feelings, words, and actions, and they also emphasize that what's tough for one person might not be for another.

We absolutely adore this book for our little ones. It underscores the importance of a positive mindset in building confidence. Growing up, I often grappled with self-consciousness and lacked the self-assuredness to voice my thoughts. This book has been instrumental in helping our children understand that not everyone views the world through the same lens, and that's perfectly acceptable.

"What To Do When You Worry Too Much" By Dawn Huebner PH.D. Illustrated By Bonnie Matthews:

Last but certainly not least, "What To Do When You Worry Too Much" has been a game-changer for our child. It's more than just a book; it's a self-guide. We take it one step at a time, moving through a few pages at a time and discussing the coping strategies introduced in each chapter. What sets this book apart is its ability to give our child a way to express her feelings and worries through art. Worries aren't always easy to put into words, so having another outlet where our daughter can externalize her feelings has been incredibly helpful.

As parents, this self-guide has empowered us to teach our child how to identify her worries and distinguish between exaggerated and realistic concerns. While every worry may seem monumental to her initially, the coping mechanisms introduced in the book have made them more manageable. The book also delves into relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, and covers various other essential coping strategies.

Conclusion

Our Top 5 Books for Kids with Big Worries go beyond storytelling—they've become essential guides in our daughter's journey. These books not only support our child but empower us as parents in navigating childhood anxiety. Discovering these gems has been invaluable in fostering understanding, acceptance, and growth.