Worry and fear are common in children as they encounter new experiences in life. The skills they learn while experiencing these new situations are adding coping tools to their tool box which they will be able to access through life. Sometimes, children need some extra support when they have big feeling of worry and one way to support them is through social stories. I have compiled a list of some of my favourite picture books that focus on worry and anxiety.
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I love this book! It is writing by a child psychologist who has created a fun and interactive self-help book designed for kids 6-12 years old. Lively metaphors and funny illustrations make it engaging and empowering. Dawn Huebner has developed clear how-to steps and prompts that are clear and easy to follow. Check this one out!
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This New York Times Best Seller is a perfect book for any age. This book tells the story of a child with a persistent problem. The longer the child avoids the problem the bigger it seems to get. Finally, the child is able to face the problem and it becomes evident that the problem isn't what it had originally seemed.
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Wilma Jean the Worry Machine is a funny upbeat book that deals with big feelings. It explores creative strategies for parents and their children to lessen the feeling of worry. It is designed for children from 7-11 years old however, parents will love the tools that author Julia Cook suggest to support children with anxiety.
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Written by a Psychologist Karen Young, this book explores the feelings that are associated with anxiety. It helps young readers understand the physical symptoms that our bodies experience during heighten anxiety.
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This is a fantastic book that tackles the night time worries. Whimsical and humorous, this little girl's story of finding a way to ease her worry will resonate with children and parents everywhere.
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Small Things is a wordless graphic novel about a young boy who feels alone with all his worries. life around him seems to become a big struggle. This graphic novel is a way to open up dialogue about childhood anxiety. Most appropriate for children in grade 3 and up.
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This book is bold and colourful and appealing to kids. The Don`t Worry Book is designed for our youngest worriers. Author Todd Parr creates a story that tackles this heavy topic in a humorous and bright way. I love this book for preschool to grade one students.
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Is a Worry Worrying You? Although this is a children's picture book I do not recommend it for children under 10. The pictures can be a bit creepy for children with worry especially nighttime worry. However, it is a great book for describing what anxiety is and has some fantastic anxiety strategies. I suggest parents read it first to make sure it wont be too scary.
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Raina Telgemeier award winning author tells a true tale about growing up and concurring fears. Through this graphic novel readers are brought into Raina's world where she describes anxious feelings and how they are presented as "tummy troubles". This is also a triumphant tale of how Rania worked to conquer her worries and faced her hard challenges. I recommend this graphic novel for kids 8 and up.
10.
Author Dawn Huebner is a clinical psychologist who specializes in the treatment of anxious children and their parents. 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.
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