A couple of years ago I shared a post with a list of books for kids that have anxiety. As a mom with anxiety- who is raising a child with anxiety- I put the resource together when I was looking for books for my own family. Knowing that many more children are struggling during this time I thought I’d share additional book suggestions since a number of new books have come out. Here is a list of more highly rated books for kids who worry or have anxiety. (This post contains affiliate links.)
What do you do with all your feelings? In Marcy’s Having All the Feels, counselor and therapist Allison Edwards explores how sometimes feeling so many feelings doesnt feel so good at all. Marcy wanted to be happy. Happy is all she wanted to be. But all her other feelings kept showing upand at the worst times! There was Frustrated and Angry, Sad and Embarrassed, and even Worried and Jealous. Her feelings were there as soon as she opened her eyes each morning, and they followed her around throughout the day. Some days all these feelings just felt like a little too much and she wanted to hide! Marcy didnt want to feel angry or jealous. And she didnt like feeling sad or embarrassed. Why couldnt she be happy all the time? Then one day when Marcys feelings disappear, she learns that her feelings dont have to control her, and they might even have a function. Maybe having all the feels might not be such a bad thing. And that one discovery? Well, it changes everything!
Find Your Calm: A Mindful Approach to Relieve Anxiety and Grow Your Bravery
“Anxiety can feel big and powerful. It can show up suddenly, without warning.” For many kids, it can be overwhelming. Anxiety is not just a cognitive experience. When children feel anxious, their bodies respond physically to a perceived threat. They need to feel a sense of safety before being able to figure out what to do next. Your child can follow along as the young narrator practices what helps her so that the anxiety doesn’t take over. Find Your Calm is a wonderfully accessible book that teaches children how to tap into their sense of safety when anxiety sends a false alarm, so they can find their calm. Includes simple activities for them to practice.
Allison Edwards, author of the best-selling book Why Smart Kids Worry, gives a glimpse into the ways worry whispers to young minds, and offers a powerful tool all children can use to silence those fears. “Worry’s songs tie my tummy up in knots, and the things he says make my heart beat very fast. Sometimes he speaks in a whisper, and other times his voice gets so loud I can’t hear anything else.” Worry and anxiety are currently the top mental health issues among children and teens. Children have a number of worries throughout childhood that will come and go. The problem is not with the worries themselves, but that children believe the worries to be true. With a relatable story and beautiful artwork, Worry Says What? will help children (and adults) flip their thinking when anxious thoughts begin and turn them into powerful reminders of all they are capable of accomplishing.
Help Your Dragon Deal With Anxiety
Having a pet dragon is very fun! But what if your dragon is constantly worrying about so many things? What if your dragon is always asking about “What If”? What should you do? You teach him how to deal with his anxiety! Fun, cute, and entertaining with beautiful illustrations, this is a must havebook for children, parents andteachers to teach kids the proper way to think, and deal with worry and anxiety!
Anxiety comes from feelings of being worried, scared, or anxious. When these feelings are in small amounts that’s okay because they are there to help protect us, but when they get TOO BIG, they become overwhelming and need to be managed.When a child experiences anxiety it can prevent them from doing what he/she wants and and/or needs to do, which can make anxiety a disability.
Sometimes I’m Anxious: A Child’s Guide to Overcoming Anxiety
This practical guide combines proven cognitive-behavioral therapy methods used by child psychologists in schools with simple activities to help your child overcome anxiety. It’s perfect for children ages 8 to 12 because a lot happens in these years that can impact a child’s emotional well-being, not just now but for years to come.
Anxious Ninja: A Children’s Book About Managing Anxiety and Difficult Emotions
Anxious Ninja experiences difficult emotions that paralyzes him until his friend gives him tips on how to handle his anxiety. Find out what happens in this comedic book about anxiety. The new children’s book series, Ninja Life Hacks, was developed to help children learn valuable life skills. Fun, pint-size characters in comedic books easy enough for young readers, yet witty enough for adults. The Ninja Life Hacks book series is geared to kids 3-11.
Say hello to Wince, one of the biggest worriers you will every meet. From cookies to homework to the weather, Wince worries about everything. And when Wince starts to worry, his WorryBug appears. At first the WorryBug is small and non-threatening, but the more Wince Worries the more his WorryBug grows. Don’t Feed The WorryBug is 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 that it ruins your day. Soft bound book includes coloring pages and WorryBug note pages to help keep track of when the pesky WorryBug arrives.
Breathe Like A Bear: 30 Mindful Moments to Feel Calm and Focused Anytime, Anywhere
Breathe Like a Bear is a beautifully illustrated collection of mindfulness exercises designed to teach kids techniques for managing their bodies, breath, and emotions. Best of all, these 30 simple, short breathing practices and movements can be performed anytime, anywhere: in the car to the grocery store, during heavy homework nights at home, or even at a child’s desk at school.
Coping Skills for Kids Workbook
Dealing with stress, anxiety and anger are important skills to learn, but not all kids learn those strategies naturally. The Coping Skills for Kids Workbook can help teach children to calm down, balance their energy and emotions, and process challenging feelings. Author Janine Halloran, LMHC, share over 75 innovative, fun and engaging activities developed from her experience in schools, outpatient mental health clinics and as a mother.
Meditation For Kids: 40 Activities to Manage Emotions, Ease Anxiety, and Stay Focused
Meditation is great for dealing with tough feelings―even for kids! It doesn’t matter if your child is upset and needs to take a minute to calm down or you just want them to be a bit more focused, Meditation for Kids has the perfect exercise to help them out.
Get more book ideas here: https://makingtimeformommy.com/2018/03/02/books-for-kids-who-struggle-with-anxiety/
