14 Books to Promote Confidence in Kids Who Worry
Children's books are a great tool to help all children try to understand what they are feeling. We've selected 14 standout books that are great for children of all ages. From questions of wondering if they will be loved even after they make mistakes, to books that teach how to manage worries and fears to books that help instill more confidence in a child, there is something for every child, at any age, on this list.
Always
Written: Ann Stott / Illustrated: Matt Phelan
Ages: 2 yrs - 5 yrs
Publisher: Candelwick Press
From the Publisher:
"Do you love me when I finger-paint with toothpaste on the bathroom mirror?"
As he goes through a day, a child asks his mother for reassurance with a series of questions. Does she love him when he's gentle? Does she love him when he's not? Does she love him when he jumps in puddles wearing his new sneakers? Simple, charming, and disarming, Ann Stott's story will resonate with little listeners and adults alike. Matt Phelan's funny, poignant drawings capture the child's behavior, both good and bad, and the mother's unconditional love.
Children everywhere will be comforted by this universal tale, in which a young boy is assured that his mother loves him — no matter what he does.
The Don’t Worry Book
Written: Todd Parr / Illustrated: Todd Parr
Ages: 2 yrs - 5 yrs
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
From the Publisher:
From bestselling and beloved author Todd Parr, a new book that reassures kids everywhere that even when things are scary or confusing, there’s always something comforting around the corner.
Todd Parr brings his trademark bright colors and bold lines to his new book about things that might make kids worry–from loud news, to loud neighbors, or a big day at school. With his signature humor and instantly recognizable style, Todd speaks out to kids who are feeling the weight of their world, offering solutions and comfort, as well as giggles.
Ruby Finds A Worry
Written: Tom Percival / Illustrated: Tom Percival
Ages: 4yrs - 6yrs
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's Books
From the Publisher:
From the creator of Perfectly Norman comes a sensitive and reassuring story about what to do when a worry won't leave you alone.
Meet Ruby--a happy, curious, imaginative girl. But one day, she finds something unexpected: a Worry.
It's not such a big Worry, at first. But every day, it grows a little bigger . . . And a little bigger . . . Until eventually, the Worry is ENORMOUS and is all she can think about.
But when Ruby befriends a young boy, she discovers that everyone has worries, and not only that, there's a great way to get rid of them too . . .
This perceptive and poignant story is the perfect springboard for talking to children about emotional intelligence and sharing hidden anxieties.
Pilar’s Worries
Written: Victoria M. Sanchez / Illustrated: Jess Golden
Ages: 4 yrs - 7 yrs
Publisher: Albert Whitman Company
From the Publisher:
Pilar loves to dance. She pliés while brushing her teeth. She leaps when hurrying to ballet class. But when tryouts for her favorite ballet are held, Pilar is anxious. Auditioning makes her whole body feel scared. But by using some of the coping techniques she’s learned and focusing on her love for ballet, she is able to persevere. This gentle story is a great tool for children dealing with anxiety.
Black Dog
Written: Levi Pinfold / Illustrated: Levi Pinfold
Ages: 4 yrs - 8yrs
Publisher: Candlewick Press
From the Publisher:
When a huge black dog appears outside the Hope family home, each member of the household sees it and hides. Only Small, the youngest Hope, has the courage to face the black dog, who might not be as frightening as everyone else thinks.
An enormous black dog and a very tiny little girl star in this offbeat tale about confronting one’s fears.
Is a Worry Worrying You?
Written: Ferida Wolff &Harriet May Savitz / Illustrated: Marie Le Tourneau
Ages: 4 yrs - 7yrs
Publisher: Tanglewood Publishing
From the Publisher:
Adults think of childhood as a carefree time, but the truth is that children worry, and worry a lot, especially in our highly pressurized era.
Suppose, just suppose, one hundred elephants come to tea and you discover you don’t have any tea bags.
Uh, oh. What will you do with a herd of thirsty elephants?
Now that’s a worry!
But you can get rid of that worry by offering the elephants lemonade instead.
This book addresses children’s worries with humor and imagination, as hilarious scenarios teach kids the use of perspective and the art of creative problem-solving.
Me and My Fear
Written: Francesca Sanna / Illustrated: Francesca Sanna
Ages: 5+ yrs
Publisher: Flying Eye Books
From the Publisher:
A heart-warming and relevant new tale from Francesca Sanna, the bestselling author and illustrator of The Journey, about sharing and overcoming one’s fears in a new and unfamiliar home.
When a young girl has to travel to a new country and start at a new school, her Fear tells her to be alone and afraid. How can she hope to make friends if she doesn’t understand their language? This book helps young readers understand what it might be like for a friend who is new to their school or town, and shows the importance of sharing our fears in order to connect with one another.
The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes
Written: Mark Pett & Gary Rubinstein / Illustrated: Mark Pett
Ages: 3 yrs - 6 yrs
Publisher: Sourcebooks
From the Publisher:
Being perfect is overrated.
Beatrice Bottomwell has NEVER (not once!) made a mistake. She never forgets her math homework, she never wears mismatched socks, and she ALWAYS wins the yearly talent show at school. In fact, the entire town calls her The Girl Who Never Makes Mistakes!
One day, the inevitable happens: Beatrice makes a huge mistake in front of everyone!
But in the end, readers (and perfectionists) will realize that life is more fun when you enjoy everything—even the mistakes.
Wilma Jean, the Worry Machine
Written: Julia Cook / Illustrated: Anita DuFalla
Ages: 7 yrs - 11 yrs
Publisher: National Center for Youth Issues
From the Publisher:
My stomach feels like
it’s tied up in a knot.
My knees lock up, and
my face feels hot.
You know what I mean?
I’m Wilma Jean,
The Worry Machine.
Anxiety is a subjective sense of worry, apprehension, and/or fear. It is considered to be the number one health problem in America. Although quite common, anxiety disorders in children are often misdiagnosed and overlooked. Everyone feels fear, worry and apprehension from time to time, but when these feelings prevent a person from doing what he/she wants and/or needs to do, anxiety becomes a disability.
This fun and humorous book addresses the problem of anxiety in a way that relates to children of all ages. It offers creative strategies for parents and teachers to use that can lessen the severity of anxiety. The goal of the book is to give children the tools needed to feel more in control of their anxiety. For those worries that are not in anyone’s control (i.e. the weather) a worry hat is introduced. A fun read for Wilmas of all ages!
What to Do When You Worry Too Much
Written: Dawn Huebner, Ph.D. / Illustrated: Bonnie Matthews
Ages: 6 yrs - 12 yrs
Publisher: Magination Press
From the Publisher:
What to Do When You Worry Too Much is an interactive self-help book designed to guide 6–12 year olds and their parents through the cognitive-behavioral techniques most often used in the treatment of generalized anxiety. Metaphors and humorous illustrations make difficult concepts easy to understand, while prompts to draw and write help children to master new skills related to reducing anxiety.
Engaging, encouraging, and easy to follow, this book educates, motivates, and empowers children to work towards change. Includes a note to parents by psychologist and author Dawn Huebner, PhD
Guts
Written: Raina Telgemeier / Illustrated: Raina Telgemeier
Ages: 8 yrs - 12 yrs
Publisher: Scholastic Incorporated
From the Publisher:
Raina wakes up one night with a terrible upset stomach. Her mom has one, too, so it's probably just a bug. Raina eventually returns to school, where she's dealing with the usual highs and lows: friends, not-friends, and classmates who think the school year is just one long gross-out session. It soon becomes clear that Raina's tummy trouble isn't going away... and it coincides with her worries about food, school, and changing friendships.
What's going on?
Raina Telgemeier once again brings us a thoughtful, charming, and funny true story about growing up and gathering the courage to face — and conquer — her fears.
Outsmarting Worry: An Older Kid’s Guide to Managing Anxiety
Written: Dawn Huebner, Ph.D
Ages: 9 yrs - 13 yrs
Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
From the Publisher:
Worry has a way of growing, shifting from not-a-big-deal to a VERY BIG DEAL in the blink of an eye. This big-deal Worry is tricky, luring children into behaviours that keep the anxiety cycle going. Children often find it hard to fight back against Worry, but not anymore. Outsmarting Worry teaches 9-13 year olds and the adults who care about them a specific set of skills that makes it easier to face - and overcome - worries and fears. Smart, practical, proven techniques are presented in language immediately accessible to children with an emphasis on shifting from knowing to doing, from worried to happy and free.
My Anxious Mind
Written: Michael A. Tompkins, Ph.D. & Katherine Martinez, Psy.D. / Illustrated: Michael Sloan
Ages: 12 yrs - 18 yrs
Publisher: Magination Press
From the Publisher:
Can you spare 30 minutes to feel less anxious?
Go ahead. Think about how your life would be different if you were less anxious. What would change? Would you try out for the basketball team? Ask someone out on a date? Would you sleep better and feel less tense? Would you feel calmer and happier?
My Anxious Mind outlines a simple and proven plan to help you understand and deal with your anxiety and panic. It is chock full of simple-to-use tools and strategies that easily fit into any teen's busy routine.
Stuff That Sucks
Written: Ben Sedley
Ages: 14 yrs - 18 yrs
Publisher: New Harbinger Publications
From the Publisher:
Sometimes everything sucks. This unique, illustrated guide will help you move past negative thoughts and feelings and discover what truly matters to you.
If you struggle with negative thoughts and emotions, you should know that your pain is real. No one should try to diminish it. Sometimes stuff really does suck and we have to acknowledge it. Worry, sadness, loneliness, anger, and shame are big and important, but they can also get in the way of what really matters. What if, instead of fighting your pain, you realized what really matters to you—and put those things first in life? If you did that, maybe your pain wouldn’t feel so big anymore. Isn’t it worth a try?
Stuff That Sucks offers a compassionate and validating guide to accepting emotions, rather than struggling against them. With this book as your guide, you’ll learn to prioritize your thoughts, feelings, and values. You’ll figure out what you care about the most, and then start caring some more! The skills you’ll learn are based on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Yes, there are a few written exercises, but this isn’t a workbook. It’s a journey into the stuff that sucks, what makes that sucky stuff suck even more, and how just a few moments each day with the stuff that matters will ultimately transform the stuff that sucks into stuff that is just stuff. Make sense?
Maybe you want to be more creative? Or maybe you simply want to do better in school or be a better friend? This book will show you how to focus on what you really care about, so that all that other sucky stuff doesn’t seem so, well, sucky anymore.
Have another great book? Leave a note in the comments.
Looking for other confidence building tools for kids? Check out our SUNCards! SUNCards™ are decks of cards that were developed by a 10 year old girl, and use evidence based strategies like cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, positive psychology, and random acts of kindness to help kids manage their anxiety. They feature lovable monsters who share confidence building positive affirmations, and helpful tasks for redirection. Best of all, for every deck purchased another deck is donated to a nonprofit that serves kids.
