9 Books to Help Kids Manage Their Fears and Phobias
by Dena McMurdie
Fear comes in many shapes and sizes. One of my kids is afraid of the dark while the other is terrified of public speaking, water, dentists, and abandonment, among other things. Thankfully, there are some great books available to help kids manage their fears and phobias. Here are some that have helped my family:
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Franklin in the Dark
Franklin is afraid of the dark. In his quest to find help, he meets animals with all kinds of fears: heights, loud noises, cold, and water. He learns that most fears have a simple solution.
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The Dark
What if the dark were a living thing? What if it came for you one night? Laszlo must gather all his courage and face the one thing that frightens him more than anything else — the dark. Two incredible talents have come together to create this realistic portrayal of childhood fear.
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Brave as a Mountain Lion
Even though his family offers advice, it isn't until Spider looks inside himself that he finds the courage to participate in the school spelling bee. For kids that are afraid of public speaking or being the center of attention, this book offers some wonderful advice.
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There's an Alligator Under My Bed
Available from:A young boy lures an imaginary alligator out from under his bed and traps him in the garage. This humorous story is just the tale to empower children and help them overcome their fear of monsters under the bed.
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Curious George Goes to the Hospital
Thanks to his insatiable curiosity, George turns everything upside down during his hospital stay. His experience may help kids feel more confident about a doctor or hospital visit.
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Thunder Cake
Available from:A young girl hides under her bed whenever a storm rolls in, so her grandmother distracts her with collecting the ingredients needed to make a special cake. As the girl focuses on her task, she pushes her fear to the back of her mind and realizes that storms are not as frightening as she once thought.
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The Invisible String
If your child is dealing with separation anxiety, the loss of a loved one, or just needs to be reminded that they are loved, this is a great choice. It teaches kids that everyone has an invisible string that attaches them to the ones they love, even if those loved ones are gone for a long time or have passed away.
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First Day Jitters
Available from:Even grown ups get scared when faced with something new. Sarah is nervous about her first day at school and does everything she can to get out of going. Sarah's identity is hidden until the last, surprise-filled page when she is revealed as the new teacher.
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Scaredy Squirrel
Scaredy Squirrel is afraid of almost everything imaginable and even his best laid plans always seem to go awry. This funny series shows kids that things are almost never as bad as we think they are.
