Best books and resources for supporting kids with anxiety

In March 2017, parenting author and educator Maggie Dent put a post on Facebook asking for suggestions of insightful books and resources that may help a parent of an anxious prone child.

The original Facebook post:

Maggie  shared Anxious Toddlers: Parenting Survival for All Ages post. (Please note this site curated by Natasha Daniels actually has great resources for parents of children and teens, not just toddlers so do check it out).

One of the most effective ways to help children with their fears is through reading books. Here is the ultimate list of children’s books for worries – separated by themes.

Child Therapist’s List of Best Kid’s Books for Worries

Does your child have fears of the dark? Worries about making friends? Fear of the potty? Any other suggestions?

Book titles suggested by our community and Maggie:

• Hey Warrior by Karen Young
• Ups and Downs by Karen Young
• Everything by Karen Young
• Beyond Behaviours and Brain Body Parenting by Mona Delahooke
• How Big Are Your Worries Little Bear?  by Jayneen Sanders
• The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
• Chester the Brave by Audrey Penn
• Starting School by Jane Godwin (for school refusal/anxiety)
• Do I Have to go to School by Pat Thomas (for school refusal/anxiety)
• Alpacas Don’t Worry by Christina Keeble
• Llama Lama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney (for school/separation anxiety)
• Eddie Frogbert by Sue Degennaro (trying something new/being brave)
• Don’t Think About Purple Elephants by Susan Whelan
• Jack’s Worry by Sam Zuppardi
• The Unforgettable What’s His Name by Paul Jennings (chapter book)
• The Invisible String by Patrice Karst (great for separation anxiety apparently)
• The Big Bag of Worries by Virginia Ironside
• Anxiety Sucks: A Teen Survival Guide by Natasha Daniels
• All Birds Have Anxiety by Kathy Hoopmann
• The Whatifs by Emily Kilgore
• Mean Eric by Candy Lawrence
• Lilly’s Mask by Candy Lawrence
• A Kids Book About Anxiety by Ross Szabo
• Ruby’s Worry by Tom Percival
• Go away Mr Worrythoughts by Nicky Johnston
• Your head’s not the place to store problems by Josh Pyke
• Big Emotions For Little People By Rebekah Lipp
• How do I feel? Dictionary of emotions for children By Rebekah Lipp
• I Call My Anxiety Bob by Nate Richards
• A Hand On Your Heart – a children’s guide to self-compassion – Lisa Shetler

 More resources to manage anxiety in children:

• Smiling Mind a not-for-profit web and app-based free meditation program whose goal is to have mindfulness on the Australian Curriculum by 2020. Maggie is an ambassador for Smiling Mind and encourages everyone to download their app to have access to their meditation tracks.
• Maggie’s resources all in one place: https://www.maggiedent.com/common-concerns/anxiety-fear-calming-children/
• Soothing The Frightened Butterflies is a creative visualisation Maggie has especially created for children aged 4-10 who are experiencing irrational feelings of anxiety and fear:
  Maggie’s free audio tracks, Sleepytime and Safe’n’Sound
• Dr Kayelene Henderson’s free book, I Can See My Feelings
• OT Deb Hopper’s book, Teaching Kids to Manage Anxiety: Superstar Practical Strategies (quite simply the best, most comprehensive and practical book I have ever read to help teach children)
• worrywisekids.org Transforming the weight of the world into a world of possibilities.
• The University of Queensland has developed The Brave Program – a free, interactive online program to help children and teens cope with worries and anxiety. They have programs for parents too.
• The Centre for Cinical Interventions has some fantastic resources on their consumers page

DISCLAIMER: These suggestions are shared from our Facebook community – please do your own research when making choices for your family.

Download this tips sheet here: Top Tips Supporting kids with Anxiety

Image credit: [GARTIK] /Adobe Stock – stock.adobe.com