Anxiety in children can show up in lots of different ways.
Some children experience it in the form of frequent fears and worries and have recurrent, troubling thoughts about all of the “bad things” that might go wrong in their day. They may not want you to leave their side and may have a hard time settling into new, unfamiliar situations.
If so, you are not alone!
These books can help children identify their own thoughts and feelings, realize that other kids have similar worries and feelings as their own, and help to develop healthy coping strategies.
Books About Anxiety for Children Ages 4-7
Don’t Feed The WorryBug by Andi Green
“Don’t Feed The WorryBug is a great story to start the conversation on worry and anxiety. We all worry, it happens, but the key is to not let those worries aka the WorryBug grow to the point it ruins your day.”
This is a story that helps kids better understand what anxiety can feel like. It is a supportive tool to help kids learn ways to cope with constant worrying, nervousness and anxiety. This book integrates mindfulness practices as well.
“The Whatifs is focused on helping kids who may be struggling with their own “whatifs” to recognize they’re not alone, and to gain some tools for calming their minds when the “what-iffing” gets to be too much. This book is a great early explainer of anxiety for kids who may just be starting to experience it at a deeper level.”
“My Magic Breath takes the principles of deep breathing and teaches them to young readers in a way they can understand and embrace. It gives them a tool they can use when their own worries start to take over.”
“Catching Thoughts is a quiet, thoughtful story that teaches readers how to practice mindfulness, focusing on thoughts that bring beauty, joy, and calm into their lives. This story teaches kids how to acknowledge unwanted thoughts, show them compassion, then actively replace them with positive thoughts instead.”
Books About Anxiety for Children Ages 7-10
What to Do When You Worry Too Much: A Kid’s Guide to Overcoming Anxiety by Dawn Huebner, PhD
Hey Warrior by Karen Young
“A heartfelt story about fear and anxiety, this story would be a great resource to use with children who are starting a new school or have recently moved from another country.”
Books About Anxiety for Tweens Ages 9-13
Outsmarting Worry (An Older Kid’s Guide to Managing Anxiety) by Dawn Huebner, PhD
Superpowered: Transform Anxiety into Courage, Confidence, and Resilience by Renee Jain and Shefali Tsabary, PhD
“Superpowered breaks down a long list of helpful methods for overcoming anxiety, and it does so in a way that’s fun and easy to understand. Full of graphics and quizzes, meant to grab the attention of young readers.”
“Guts is a novel written based on the writer’s own experience with anxiety as a teenager. Rather than being a book of the self-help variety, this is a book that kids with anxiety may actually be able to see themselves in — a book that will remind them that they’re not alone.”
Note: This book does discuss puberty.
This is a true-to-life, but fiction story about a middle school girl who learns to manage her social anxiety through joining an improv acting class. A sweet story about building self confidence and finding your own voice. This story also touches on living with a chronic health condition.
Books About Anxiety for Teens Ages 13-17
Mindfulness for Teen Anxiety: A Practical Guide to Manage Stress, Ease Worry, and Find Calm by Jamie D. Roberts, LMFT
Anxiety Relief for Teens: Essential CBT Skills and Mindfulness Practices to Overcome Anxiety and Stress by Regine Galanti, PhD
“My Anxious Mind outlines a simple and proven plan to help teens understand and deal with anxiety and panic. It is chock full of simple-to-use tools and strategies that easily fit into any teen’s busy routine.”
This is not a workbook or guide but instead a fiction novel written to speak to teenagers in a way they can easily relate to. The main character of the story is a teenage girl with social anxiety and selective mutism, and has themes around self discovery, relationships, healing, and building confidence.
Books About Anxiety For Parents and Caregivers:
Helping Your Anxious Teen: Positive Parenting Strategies to Help Your Teen Beat Anxiety, Stress, and Worry by Sheila Achar Josephs, PhD
Anxiety Relief for Kids On-the-Spot Strategies to Help Your Child Overcome Worry, Panic, and Avoidance by Bridget Flynn Walker, PhD
The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel, MD and Tina Payne Bryson, PhD
Callie Caudill, LCSWA is a child therapist at Flourish Counseling and Wellness in Asheville, NC. She works with children ages 5-17 and loves helping little ones finds ways to process their big feelings. You can learn more about Callie (and how your child can work with her) here!
