10 Best Children’s Books About Anxiety

According to the CDC, 9.4% or about 5.8 million of children aged 3-17 years in the US are diagnosed with anxiety. About 6 in 10 children received treatment in 2016 [*]. Moreover, anxiety disorders are most common among adolescents, especially older teens [*].

Anxiety books for kids provide a relatable way to understand and navigate their emotions. By promoting emotional awareness and featuring inclusive stories that reflect diverse backgrounds and experiences, these books help kids feel seen and validated. Additionally, they provide valuable coping strategies that empower children to manage anxiety more effectively.

Best Children’s Books About Anxiety

When choosing children’s books about anxiety, look for stories or characters the child can relate to. Books featuring characters facing similar worries or challenges can help them feel understood and less alone in their feelings. Take a look at the examples below:

1. Ruby Finds a Worry by Tom Percival

This picture book follows Ruby, an imaginative girl who suddenly discovers a Worry that keeps growing until it becomes overwhelming. She learns that by talking about her feelings with a friend, she can shrink the Worry and regain her peace of mind.

This book can help kids with anxiety by showing them that everyone has worries and that sharing their emotions can make those worries feel more manageable. It encourages open communication about feelings and provides a reassuring message for young readers.

Price: $6.99 on Amazon, $7.99 on Barnes & Noble

2. The Whatifs by Emily Kilgore

Cora, a young girl, is overwhelmed by "What if" questions as she prepares for a piano recital. These anxious thoughts— which ranges from everyday concerns to far-fetched fears—cause her significant worry and self-doubt. As the Whatifs pile up, Cora must learn to replace her anxious thoughts with more positive ones.

This story helps kids understand how to manage their worries and shift their mindset. It is an excellent tool for addressing anxiety in a relatable and empowering way. The engaging illustrations and relatable storyline make it a comforting read for children experiencing anxiety.

Price: $13.72 on Amazon, $17.99 on Barnes & Noble

3. When My Worries Get Too Big! by Kari Dunn Buron

This book helps children, parents, and teachers understand how anxiety can make kids feel like they're losing control. Through engaging illustrations and simple language, the book offers children a chance to explore their emotions and learn practical self-calming techniques. It encourages kids to develop their own relaxation strategies to manage anxiety and stay focused.

Price: $6.24 on Amazon, $18.99 on Barnes & Noble

4. Wilma Jean the Worry Machine by Julia Cook

Wilma Jean the Worry Machine offers a humorous and relatable approach to understanding anxiety for children of all ages. Through the character of Wilma Jean, the book explores feelings of fear and worry and emphasizes that while these emotions are common, they can become debilitating when they interfere with daily life.

The story provides creative strategies for parents and teachers to help children manage their anxiety. It introduces practical tools, like the concept of a worry hat for concerns beyond anyone's control.

Price: $7.99 on Amazon, $10.95 on Barnes & Noble

5. Hey Warrior by Karen Young

"Hey Warrior: A Book for Kids About Anxiety" by Karen Young is an empowering resource designed to help children understand and manage their anxiety. The book explains that anxiety originates from the amygdala, a small yet powerful part of the brain that acts as a protective “warrior.”

The book teaches kids how to take charge of their anxiety by recognizing when their inner warrior is overreacting. The story offers positive thinking techniques and breathing exercises and helps children view anxiety as a friendly superpower they can manage rather than something to fear. This approach not only demystifies anxiety but also equips children with practical tools to cope with their emotions effectively.

Price: $44.41 on Amazon

6. What to Do When You Worry Too Much by Dawn Huebner

This award-winning book helps children and parents use cognitive-behavioral techniques to manage anxiety. It introduces the idea that worries are like tomatoes: the more you focus on them, the more they grow. Through metaphors and illustrations, it explains how children can take control of their anxiety by understanding and reducing their worries.

The interactive format encourages kids to draw, write, and follow simple steps to practice anxiety-reducing strategies.

Price: $16.13 on Amazon, $16.99 on Barnes & Noble

7. I’m Worried by Michael Ian Black

In this charming story, a girl, a flamingo, and a worried potato explore the ups and downs of emotions. Potato is anxious about everything and fears the uncertainty of what might happen. When he shares his worries with his friends, instead of reassuring him that everything will be fine, they remind him that it might not be—and that's okay.

What truly matters is that, no matter what happens, his friends will always be there to support him. This heartwarming tale helps children understand that it's normal to feel worried, and the support of loved ones can make all the difference.

Price: $6.09 on Amazon, $7.99 on Barnes & Noble

8. The Invisible String by Patrice Karst

This bestselling picture book has touched the hearts of millions by illustrating the unbreakable bond of love that connects us all, no matter the distance. In The Invisible String, a mother explains to her children that they are always connected to the ones they love by an invisible string. Though it can’t be seen, it can be felt deeply in the heart.

This story is widely used by parents, educators, therapists, and social workers to help children cope with separation anxiety, grief, and loss. The book’s message of love, connection, and reassurance makes it a comforting tool for children facing challenging emotions, while also sparking meaningful conversations about love and belonging.

Price: $6.99 on Amazon, $9.99 on Barnes & Noble

9. Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes

Wemberly worries about everything. As her first day of school approaches, her worries multiply. But when she starts school and meets another classmate who shares her anxious tendencies, Wemberly begins to realize that school can be fun, and there's no need to let her worries take over.

This comforting story by Kevin Henkes reassures children facing anxiety, especially about new experiences like school, and reminds them they’re not alone in their worries.

Price: $7.99 on Amazon, $9.99 on Barnes & Noble

10. The Huge Bag of Worries by Virginia Ironside

This book tells the story of Jenny, a girl who carries her worries everywhere in a big blue bag. Whether she's at school, at home, or even relaxing, her worries are always with her. Jenny realizes that she needs to get rid of them but isn’t sure how.

Through this engaging narrative, the book offers a lighthearted yet comforting approach to dealing with anxiety. It encourages children to share their feelings and find ways to manage their worries.

Price: $11.06 on Amazon, $11.99 on Barnes & Noble

More Anxiety Resources for Kids

Anxiety in children is normal, but when it becomes too much, it can disrupt their daily lives. Books about anxiety for kids can help them cope with their emotions by providing relatable characters and situations that reflect their worries. These stories help children feel understood and less alone in their emotions.

Aside from the practical coping strategies in books for children with anxiety, they can also use anxiety worksheets. These worksheets can guide children in identifying their worries, understanding what triggers their anxiety, and developing coping strategies to handle anxious feelings.

References:

1. Data and Statistics on Children’s Mental Health | CDC. (2022, June 3). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/data.html
2. World Health Organization: WHO. (2021, November 17). Mental health of adolescents. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescent-mental-health