Books About Worry for Kids: Choosing and Reading Together

Most children worry sometimes, and a good picture book can give a worried child words for the feeling and the comfort of seeing another character feel it too. The NHS suggests books and films as one way to help children understand their feelings and see that it's normal to feel anxious in hard situations. Below are seven books we checked on publisher or review pages, sorted roughly by age, with what each one shows, who it may suit and when it might not. Your child's reaction is the best guide, and books are not a replacement for help when worry is getting in the way of everyday life.

Quick shortlist

The books, one by one

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn (illustrated by Ruth E. Harper and Nancy M. Leak)

• Edition checked: Tanglewood, hardcover and paperback, 32 pages with stickers; first published in 1993; publisher age band 3-7 (publisher page)

• What it shows: The publisher describes Chester Raccoon, who does not want to start school. His mother shares a family secret, the Kissing Hand, so he can feel her love whenever his world feels a little scary.

• Good fit when: The worry is mostly about separation, such as starting nursery or school, or a parent travelling. Some families turn the kiss on the palm into their own goodbye ritual.

• Caution: It offers one specific comfort ritual rather than ways to handle other kinds of worry. If your child's anxiety isn't about being apart from you, another book may fit better.

Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes (illustrated by Kevin Henkes)

• Edition checked: Greenwillow Books (HarperCollins), August 2000, picture book, 32 pages (Kirkus record); Kirkus lists it for ages 4-7. Book description from the author's site.

• What it shows: Wemberly worries about everything: "Big things. Little things. And things in between." Then it's time for school to start and she worries even more. Kirkus's review notes that her school day goes well after she meets another worried mouse, Jewel.

• Good fit when: Your child recognises themselves as a worrier and would like a gentle, funny character who feels the same way. It also works as a starting-school book.

• Caution: Kirkus found the ending "overly pat": the worries seem to disappear once Wemberly makes a friend. If your child's worries are persistent, talk about what Wemberly might do if she worried again the next day.

Ruby Finds a Worry by Tom Percival (illustrated by Tom Percival)

• Edition checked: Bloomsbury, September 2019, picture book, 32 pages; part of the Big Bright Feelings series (Kirkus record). Published in the UK as Ruby's Worry. We could not open the publisher's page, so the age band (4-6) is Kirkus's.

• What it shows: According to Kirkus, Ruby finds a Worry that only she can see. The more she tries to ignore it, the bigger it grows and the less colour there is on the page. At the playground she meets a boy with a Worry of his own; when they talk about them, both worries shrink.

• Good fit when: Your child keeps worries to themselves. The picture of a worry that shrinks when it's shared gives you an easy way to say, "Is there a worry following you around today?"

• Caution: The worry is never named, which is deliberate but may frustrate a child who wants to know what Ruby was worried about. Older children may find it young.

The Whatifs by Emily Kilgore (illustrated by Zoe Persico)

• Edition checked: little bee books, August 2020, hardcover, 40 pages; publisher age range 4-8 (publisher page)

• What it shows: The publisher describes Cora, who is constantly worrying, and the Whatifs, creatures that cling to her with doubts "big or small, silly or frightening, likely or impossible" as her piano recital approaches. The question at the end is whether she can turn worry-filled thoughts into hopeful ones.

• Good fit when: Your child asks lots of "What if...?" questions before a performance, test, trip or other big event.

• Caution: The book lists many possible worries. A child who isn't a big worrier, or who picks up new fears easily, might add some of them to their own list. Read it yourself first.

The Invisible String by Patrice Karst (illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff)

• Edition checked: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, October 2018 edition with new illustrations, paperback, 40 pages; publisher age range 4-8 (publisher page)

• What it shows: The publisher describes a mother telling her two children that they are all connected by an invisible string. The publisher presents it as a book for separation, loss and grief as well as a celebration of love.

• Good fit when: The worry is about being away from someone, for example at bedtime, a parent working away, or a family member in hospital.

• Caution: It doesn't address everyday worries like tests or new places. The idea is abstract, and some children take the string literally. If your family has recently had a death, preview it, since it touches on loss.

What to Do When You Worry Too Much by Dawn Huebner (illustrated by Bonnie Matthews)

• Edition checked: Magination Press (the American Psychological Association's children's imprint), second edition, 2025, paperback, 80 pages; publisher says it suits kids aged 6-12 (distributor page)

• What it shows: The publisher describes an interactive workbook that helps children understand anxiety and manage worried thoughts through metaphors, illustrations, exercises and a note for parents. Dawn Huebner is a psychologist.

• Good fit when: Your child is about seven or older, worries a lot, and is willing to work through a book with you a little at a time.

• Caution: It's a workbook, not a story. Some children find exercises about worry make them think about it more, at least at first. If your child is already seeing a therapist, ask whether it fits with their plan before starting.

Outsmarting Worry by Dawn Huebner

• Edition checked: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, October 2017 (the page we opened lists the ebook; a paperback also exists); the publisher says it is for 9-13 year olds and the adults who care about them (publisher page)

• What it shows: The publisher describes a book of practical skills to help older children face worries and fears, written in language aimed at children.

• Good fit when: Your child is older than the picture-book stage and wants to understand worry and try practical steps.

• Caution: It's longer and more instructional than a picture book. A child who reads alone may get more from it if an adult reads alongside.

Books we left out

We removed some titles from an earlier version of this page because we could not confirm the publisher, edition or content on a publisher page, or because the book is mainly about other feelings (such as anger) rather than worry.

How to choose for your child

• Start with what the worry is about. Separation, school, performing, the dark and general "what ifs" all have different books. A book about the exact thing your child faces is often easier to talk about than a general book about anxiety.

• Notice how the story ends. Some books end with the worry simply vanishing; others show a character doing something with support, like talking to someone. The Child Mind Institute explains that helping children avoid what they fear tends to keep anxiety going over time, so stories where a character faces something with help can be a good match for everyday reading. There isn't one story shape that suits every child, though.

• Watch your child's response. If a book seems to calm your child or start a good conversation, keep it. If it brings up new worries or makes bedtime harder, put it away for a while. That's useful information, not failure.

• Keep plenty of ordinary books in the mix. A worried child still needs funny, silly and adventurous stories. Reading shouldn't feel like it's always about the problem.

Reading together

• Read it yourself first. Check the ending and any pages that might introduce a new fear.

• Pick a calm time. A worry book is often easier to take in during a relaxed moment than in the middle of a meltdown. At bedtime, some families read it earlier in the routine and finish with something light.

• Acknowledge the feeling without agreeing with the fear. Child Mind Institute guidance suggests saying something like "I know you're scared, and that's okay" and showing confidence that your child can cope, rather than promising nothing bad will ever happen.

• Ask open questions, and don't push. The same guidance warns against leading questions that suggest a fear. Try "What did you think of Ruby's Worry?" rather than "Do you get scared like Ruby?". If your child doesn't want to talk, let the book do its work and leave the door open.

• Let your child choose re-reads. Wanting the same book many times is common. If repeated reading seems to upset your child more each time, take a break and mention it to their doctor.

• Look after your own worry. The Child Mind Institute notes that children pick up on how adults handle stress, so letting your child see you manage a hard moment calmly can help too.

For worries at night, see our guide to books for kids sleeping alone. For worries about specific changes, see starting daycare, going to the hospital or divorce.

When to get help

The NHS says anxiety becomes a problem for children when it is very strong, getting worse and not going away, or when it stops them doing everyday things they enjoy. It suggests talking to your GP or school nurse if your child is really struggling. The American Academy of Pediatrics on HealthyChildren.org lists signs such as ongoing fears about everyday routines, irritability, avoiding school or social activities, trouble sleeping or concentrating, and frequent stomach aches or headaches, and advises talking with your pediatrician. It also says anxiety disorders are treatable, so it is worth asking early.

In the US, the US Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening for anxiety in children and teens aged 8 to 18, so you can ask about it at a routine check-up. A school counsellor can also help if worry is affecting school. If your child talks about hurting themselves, or you are worried about their immediate safety, seek urgent help straight away.

Books can be part of everyday support at home. They are not a treatment, and they don't replace an assessment or care from a licensed professional.

Optional: a personalized story

KidzTale publishes this guide and also sells personalized storybooks, so we have a commercial interest. We've put this last because the books above and professional advice come first.

A KidzTale story is a digital storybook written and illustrated by AI from your child's name, age, a photo of your child (required, used as a likeness reference; one child per book) and a short story idea you type in, for example "Maya feels nervous before her swimming lesson, tells her dad, and tries it anyway". It costs $5.99 for a 9-page story, is in English only and is usually ready in a few minutes. You get an online reader (you sign in to view it; it isn't shareable), a PDF you can print at home or at a print shop, and audio narration. You pay before the story is made, there is no preview, and pages can't be edited afterwards.

A personalized story is not therapy or a treatment for anxiety, and no person (including a clinician) reviews generated stories before you see them. Read it yourself before sharing it with your child, and stop if it seems to add to their worry. For more ideas, browse our overcoming fears and feelings and emotions story collections, or create a story.