But What If…?: 12 Picture Books To Help Children Who Worry
by Margaret Kingsbury
It’s normal for children to experience worry and anxiety, though sometimes those feelings become all-consuming. According to the American Psychological Association, childhood anxiety was on the rise even before the Covid-19 pandemic, and it’s doubled since. Social-emotional learning picture books that address worry and anxiety are essential in helping children process these big emotions. Whether it’s worrying about starting school, what could happen on a typical day, or going down a giant slide, these picture books teach children techniques for handling anxiety and facing their fears. Some lean into mindfulness, some encourage imagination, and others show children the power of friendship. All 12 of these affirming picture books will help children and their caregivers find helpful ways to discuss and process emotions.
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My Monster and Me
Available from:A worry monster has followed a young boy around for as long as he can remember, possibly since he was born. No one can take the worry monster away, and sometimes it becomes so big and bossy that it takes over the day. One day, the worry monster won’t leave him alone. When he goes to his grandmother’s house after school, she asks him what’s wrong, and he tells her about the worry monster. As he speaks, the worry monster grows smaller and smaller until it fits in his pocket. While his worry monster never disappears, he learns how to handle it. This simple and vibrantly illustrated picture book is an excellent way to address worries for younger children.
(Ages 3 – 5)Also available from: -
It Was Supposed to Be Sunny
Available from:The Little Senses series helps children with anxiety, sensory processing disorders, and who are on the autism spectrum. In this book, Laila’s outdoor unicorn-themed birthday party takes a turn for the worse when a storm arrives. She feels overwhelmed with worry, but her mother helps her plan alternative indoor activities, and Laila feels hopeful again. However, when things go wrong — like the birthday cake crashing to the floor — Laila despairs once more and has to take a break from the party. With some quiet and comfort from her dog, she returns to the party and has fun. This affirming picture book depicts techniques for handling anxiety and disappointment.
(Ages 3 – 7)Also available from: -
Everything in Its Place
Available from:Nicky is shy and dislikes being around other children at recess. Instead, she works in the library, shelving books during recess. Everything has a proper place in the library, and Nicky doesn’t need to worry about interacting with her classmates. Nicky’s stomach hurts when she finds out the library will be closed for a week and she’ll have to go to recess. At her mother's diner, she admires a motorcyclist who is brave and happy, and Nicky wants to be like her. At recess, Nicky brings a book of poems to read, and when another girl asks about the poems, Nicky remembers the motorcyclist and finds the courage to respond. Shy readers will identify with Nicky in this beautifully illustrated picture book for book lovers.
(Ages 3 – 7)Also available from: -
As Brave as a Lion
Available from:This imaginative picture book shows children how to be brave despite their fears and worries. A young girl has a lion that gives her courage, whether she feels shy around new people or needs protection during a storm. However, when the two visit a playground with a giant new slide, it’s the girl’s turn to be brave. She feels scared when she reaches the top of the slide, but when she sees the lion is also worried, she finds her bravery. Both she and the lion slide down and have fun. Sometimes, the lion needs a little help being brave, too.
(Ages 3 – 7)RELATED: 10 Picture Books To Help Teach Kids About Being Brave
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Shy Robin and the First Day of School
Available from:Robin’s mom says she’s a brave hippo, but Robin often feels shy and not so brave. On the first day of school, she’s very nervous and doesn’t think she can be herself. However, she meets Marco during circle time, who is even more shy and worried. At first, Robin thinks Marco enjoys playing alone but realizes he’s nervous about joining the others. When Marco helps her find her missing headband, the two become friends and help one another feel brave enough to be themselves in the classroom. This is a sweet picture book for shy preschoolers and kindergartners.
(Ages 3 – 7)Also available from: -
It's OK
Available from:This sweet and poetic picture book addresses self-love and self-compassion techniques for worried children. When a child loses a soccer match and feels despondent, they remind themselves that it’s okay. They put a hand on their chest and say, “It’s OK — I love you. I’m with you today.” They follow these reassuring steps for multiple scenarios: Accidentally breaking a pot, feeling insecure about a new baby sibling at home, feeling worried about a test, and more. The back matter includes ten exercises to help children learn mindfulness and self-compassion. It’s a lovely and affirming picture book.
(Ages 3 – 7)Also available from: -
The Big Worry Day
Available from:A young girl has anxiety, as does her dog Bea. The two want to play outside, but Bea and the child worry about what could happen. They need to plan for every eventuality, but planning makes them even more anxious. Instead, the girl teaches Bea other techniques to manage anxiety: Talking about their fears with stuffed animals, practicing yoga, taking deep breaths, and more. After using these techniques, the two go outside and have a fun day of imaginative play. The back matter includes an author’s note about having childhood anxiety. This relatable picture book is excellent for any child who experiences worry and anxiety.
(Ages 4 – 8)Also available from: -
Hattie Harmony: Worry Detective
Available from:On the first day of school, cat detective Hattie Harmony has her hands full when many classmates feel worried. First, Hattie helps Pearl the Porcupine release the butterflies in her stomach by catching actual butterflies. Then she gives a squishy ball to Seymour the Beaver, who worries about the teacher calling on him. When it’s time for recess, it’s Hattie’s turn to feel worried. She gives herself a pep talk about sliding down the tall slide, and with encouragement from her friends, she faces her fears and goes down the slide. Written by actress Elizabeth Olsen and musician Robbie Arnett, this picture book shows techniques for handling common back-to-school worries.
(Ages 4 – 8)Also available from: -
A Blue Kind of Day
Available from:Sometimes, worries and anxiety can become overwhelming. Coen is having one of those days when sadness and worry are so consuming that he can only lie in bed. He feels trapped by the emotions. His mother, father, and younger sister try to cheer him up, but nothing helps him feel better. Instead, when his family waits quietly and stays with him, letting him know they support him and his emotions, he begins to feel warm inside and leaves his bed to read with them. This is a lovely picture book about handling depression. An author’s note includes more information about childhood depression and how to spot the signs.
(Ages 4 – 8)RELATED: Books To Help Kids Handle All Kinds of Uncomfortable Emotions
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Brave Every Day
Available from:When other kids play hide-and-seek, Camilla just wants to hide. At school, she worries about whether she’s using the right pencil and answering questions correctly. Anxiety overwhelms Camilla when her teacher announces a class field trip to the aquarium. When they arrive, she tries to hide but finds another equally scared classmate hiding in the same spot. This classmate loves stingrays but is too afraid to find them in the aquarium. Camilla decides they can face their fears together and enjoy the field trip. The author includes questions for more discussion at the end. This social-emotional picture book is perfect for elementary school libraries.
(Ages 4 – 8)Also available from: -
Are You Mad at Me?
Available from:Award-winning author Tyler Feder and her sister Cody Feder co-wrote this heartwarming and funny picture book about an ostrich with anxiety. When Opal feels worried, her neck wobbles, which her family affectionately refers to as The Noodles. When Opal needs to pick up a dessert from a bakery for a party, she worries she’s offending everyone she runs into. By the time she reaches the bakery, she’s exhausted by all the worry. But the friendly elephant who runs the bakery helps put her mind (and The Noodles) at ease.
(Ages 5 – 8)Also available from: -
When Harley Has Anxiety
Available from:Written by a child psychologist, this fantastic workbook about anxiety for picture book readers will help children explore their worries. Six chapters address emotions, anxiety, healthy thinking, and more. Each page spread has colorful illustrations where Harley the Hedgehog discusses his anxiety. There’s a discussion that follows, then child-friendly activities, like a self-portrait, drawing an anxiety triangle, creating an emotional thermometer, and more. This workbook helps children identify emotions, what causes those emotions, and how to handle big feelings.
(Ages 5 – 9)Also available from:
