Children's Books Please click on the Books to link to Amazon.
Wemberly Worried Kevin Henkes Ages 4-8 Grade Pre-K-2
Wemberly worried about spilling her juice, about shrinking in the bathtub, even about snakes in the radiator. She worried morning, noon, and night. "Worry, worry, worry," her family said. "Too much worry." And Wemberly worried about one thing most of all: her first day of school. But when she meets a fellow worrywart in her class, Wemberly realizes that school is too much fun to waste time worrying! (Amazon)
When My Worries Get too Big! Kari Dunn Buron Ages 8-13 Grades 3-8 Worry and anxiety are on an upswing. In fact, anxiety is the most frequent of all mental disorders in children. High levels of stress and big emotions related to social situations, sensory issues, or general frustration are common in children who live with anxiety. Such stress can lead to a loss of control, resulting in aggressive behavior, such as screaming, throwing things or even hurting someone. Engaging and easy to read, this illustrated children s book is filled with opportunities for children to participate in developing their own self-calming strategies. Children who use the simple strategies in this charming book, illustrated by the author, will find themselves relaxed and ready to focus on work or play! (Amazon)
Don't Panic, Annika! By: Juliet Bell and Jennifer Morris Ages 4-7 Grades Pre K-2 Annika always panics. She panics when her coat zip gets stuck on the way to a party. She panics when she can't find her favorite toy at bedtime. Her mum, dad and brother try to help her learn how to stay calm and think her way through a problem. (Amazon)
Is a Worry Worrying You? By: Ferida Wolff Ages 4-8 Grade Level K-3
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. 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. (Amazon)
David and the Worry Beast By: Anne Marie Guanci Ages: 4-9 Grades: Pre K-3
Learning to deal with anxiety is an important step in a child's healthy emotional growth. Conquering fears, and not avoiding them, is the lesson imparted in this story. David could not stop thinking about the basket he had missed at the end of the big game. He was worried that he might do it again. He was worried that his team mates would be angry with him. He was worried that his parents would not be proud of him. He was also worried about an upcoming math test. In fact, David was worried a lot. "Should I quit the team?" he asked himself. "Should I be sick tomorrow and miss the math test?" Luckily, David finally confided in his parents and school nurse, both of whom gave him support and techniques for controlling the "worry beast" within him. Delightfully illustrated, it focuses on a very real and essential topic. (Amazon).
Little Mouse's Big Book of Fears By: Emily Gravett Ages: 4-8 Grades: Pre K-3
Spiders: Little Mouse is afraid of them (arachnophobia).
Shadows: Little Mouse is afraid of those (sciaphobia).
In fact, Little Mouse is afraid of everything. Join her as she faces her fears and records them in her journal - and discovers that even the biggest people are afraid of some things. (Amazon)
Wilma Jean the Worry Machine By: Julia Cook Ages: 5-8 Grades: K-3
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! (Amazon)
More Resources for Children
Don't Feed the Worry Bug By: Andi Green
There's an app for that! Don't Feed the Worry Bug is a book about a little monster named Wince who worries about everything. By following the link, you will find the application which is interactive for kids. This will help children learn about emotions and how to cope with the worries in their lives. wince.imaginemachine.com/
What to do When you Worry too Much By: Dawn Huebner, Ph.D.
This is a guide for overcoming anxiety for children. This book also includes an introduction for parents and caregivers. I think this text would be a great tool for parents who are worried about their anxious children.
"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. Engaging, encouraging, and easy to follow, this book educates, motivates, and empowers children to work towards change. It includes a note to parents by psychologist and author Dawn Huebner, PhD. (Amazon)
A Relaxation Poem by Janet Gibson I have included a link to Janet Gibson's website. The author offers several relaxation techniques to help children "breathe" their worries away. I included this poem because it can help students relax and relieve tension in any stressful situation. www.janetgibson.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Relaxation-poem.bmp.jpg
Parent, Teachers & Caregivers Resources
Website Created by: Education Planet Inc. Book by: Kevin Henkes This website includes several lesson plans for teachers to use with the book Wemberly Worried. Teachers can also look up resources for other texts. These educational lesson plans will help students make connections with texts. (Please Click the picture or link to be redirected to website) www.lessonplanet.com/lesson-plans/wemberly-worried/all
Website Worry Wise Kids Created by: Tamar Chansky, Ph.D (The Children's and Adult Center for OCD and Anxiety.) This is a resource for parents to learn more about the stress, worry, and anxiety in their child's daily life. This site also offers guides for parents who wish to talk to their children about their anxiety. Addressing children with the appropriate language is a key element to helping the child cope and over come anxiety. www.worrywisekids.org/node/49
Stress Free Kids By: Lori Lite
This book is a guide for parents to help children manage stress and reduce anxiety. Children require parent (or caregiver) guidance to develop the coping skills necessary for managing stress. The author provides parenting solutions which, will also develop your child's self-esteem. Also offered in this text are relaxation techniques for children to reduce anxiety. Below you will find a link to a website which includes tips to help children cope as well.