Anxiety books can give children the words and tools to understand their worries. Here’s how to choose the right book and use it without adding pressure.
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When your child is anxious, it’ can be difficult’s heartbreaking, and so difficult to know how to help. Perhaps you’re unsure whether to ask questions, offer reassurance, encourage them to face the thing they fear or give them space.
Anxiety books for kids are a great place to start. A book gives children the language to describe what is happening inside them, helps them see that they are not the only person who feels this way, and introduces anxiety tools they can try without putting them under pressure to talk.
A book won’t solve every worry, of course. But the right one can help a child feel less alone, and more able to put words to their feelings.
How can a book help children with anxiety?
Anxiety can be hard for children to explain. They may know that they feel frightened, cross, uncomfortable or unwell without understanding why, or connecting the word ‘anxiety’ to their feelings. Some children avoid talking about their worries because the conversation itself feels overwhelming, or they’re scared of hurting others’ feelings.
Books create a little distance between the child and the emotions they’re experiencing. Instead of beginning with, “Tell me what’s wrong,” you can look at a page together and ask:
- “Does this ever happen to you?”
- “How do you think that character is feeling?”
- “Would you like to try that together?”
- “What would you say to another child who felt like this?”
This can feel much safer than a face-to-face conversation in which the child is the sole focus.
A good worry book for kids can also help a child understand that anxiety is a normal human response. Feeling anxious does not mean there’s something wrong with them. Quite the opposite – it means their mind and body are trying to protect them, often in situations where they are not in physical danger, but where they risk feeling difficult or painful emotions.
What can a child learn from an anxiety book?
Children’s anxiety books vary, but a good book can help a child:
- Recognise the thoughts, feelings and physical sensations associated with anxiety
- Understand why worry happens
- Understand that worries and anxious feelings are normal
- Put difficult feelings into words
- Notice patterns in their worries
- Practise breathing, grounding or mindfulness exercises
- Get a new perspective on their worries
- Take small steps towards something they have been avoiding
- Build confidence in their ability to cope
Perhaps most importantly, a book can help a child feel less alone. Seeing their experience described on a page can give them the reassuring sense that other children feel this way too, and crucially, that adults understand.
Should you choose a storybook or anxiety workbook?
The best format will depend on your child’s age, personality and current level of anxiety.
Storybooks
Stories allow children to explore worry through a character. This can be particularly helpful for younger children or those who do not want to talk directly about themselves.
A story can start a conversation, but it does not always provide many practical anxiety tools for kids to use afterwards.
Illustrated guides
An illustrated guide explains anxiety in straightforward, age-appropriate language. Pictures, characters and short sections can make the subject feel more approachable.
These books can work well for children who want to understand why they feel the way they do.
Anxiety workbooks
An anxiety workbook for kids usually includes activities such as writing, drawing, quizzes and simple exercises. It helps a child apply what they are learning to their own thoughts and experiences.
Workbooks are often useful for children who prefer doing something together to having a direct conversation. However, they should feel like an invitation rather than homework. Your child does not have to complete every page or work through the book in order.
Books for parents and carers
Sometimes children aren’t ready to engage with a book, or the adult wants some guidance to help them support their child.
A parent-focused book can help you understand anxious behaviour, respond more calmly and decide when to encourage, reassure, listen or seek further help.
How to choose the best anxiety book for your child
There is no single “best” anxiety book for every child. The right choice is one your child can understand, relate to and use without feeling judged.
Look for a book that:
- Is appropriate for your child’s age and reading level
- Explains anxiety without making it sound frightening
- Reassures children without dismissing their feelings
- Uses language your child will understand
- Includes realistic, manageable strategies
- Does not promise to make every worry disappear
- Gives your child some choice over how they use it
Consider the book’s tone, too. Some children enjoy colourful illustrations and characters, while others, particularly older children, may want something that feels more grown-up and private.
Read next: How to help children with anxiety
How to introduce a worry book without making your child feel singled out
Try not to present the book as something your child needs because there is a problem with them.
You might say:
- “I found this book about how worry works. I thought we could have a look at it together.”
- “This explains something lots of people’s brains do when they feel nervous.”
- “Let’s see if there’s anything useful in here.”
- “You can look through it yourself if you’d rather.”
Choose a reasonably calm time rather than introducing the book in the middle of a distressing moment. When a child is overwhelmed, they are unlikely to be able to take in a new explanation or practise an unfamiliar technique.
Alternatively, simply leaving the book somewhere your child can find it is an excellent way to remove pressure.
Related: Anxiety at Bedtime
Four books for different ages and stages
I have written several books about childhood anxiety because children (and their grown-ups) need different kinds of support at different times.
Don’t Worry, Be Happy: A Child’s Guide to Overcoming Anxiety
Best for: Children aged 7–11 who need help understanding worry.
Don’t Worry, Be Happy is an illustrated activity book that introduces anxiety in clear, child-friendly language. A supportive character called Fiz guides children through activities, practical information and ways to understand their anxious thoughts and feelings.
It is a useful starting point for a child who worries frequently but may not yet have the words to explain what is happening.
Find out more about Don’t Worry, Be Happy
Shrink Your Worries: A Child’s Guide to Overcoming Anxiety
Best for: Children aged 7+ who are ready to practise more anxiety tools.
Shrink Your Worries combines cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness methods with practical activities. These include spotting signs of anxiety, handprint breathing, confidence boosters and creating a bravery plan.
The text was peer-reviewed by a psychotherapist. It can be used by children independently or explored with a trusted adult.
Find out more about Shrink Your Worries
How to Support Your Anxious Child
Best for: Parents and carers who want to understand how to respond.
Children are not always able or willing to talk about their worries. How to Support Your Anxious Child is written for the adults around them, offering practical guidance on recognising anxiety, opening conversations and helping children practise calming techniques.
It may be the best place to begin if you feel unsure about what to say or your child does not want to use a workbook.
Find out more about How to Support Your Anxious Child
Learn more about my parenting course: Help Your Child Face Their Fear (Without Making it Worse)
No More Worries!: Outsmart Anxiety and Be Positively You
Best for: Young people aged approximately 11–16.
Anxiety often changes as children enter their teenage years. Worries may centre on schoolwork, exams, friendships, peer pressure, self-image or the future.
No More Worries! is written directly for young people, with practical tips and activities to help them understand anxiety and feel better equipped to cope when it appears. Its more grown-up format makes it suitable for older children who have outgrown illustrated children’s workbooks.
Find out more about No More Worries!
How to use an anxiety workbook with your child
There’s no need to begin at page one and complete every activity. In fact, that approach will probably make your child less likely to engage with the book and therefore benefit from it.
Instead, you could:
- Look through the book together and let your child choose a page
- Try one activity at a time
- Read the explanations to them
- Complete an exercise yourself alongside them
- Stop if your child becomes uncomfortable or loses interest
- Return to helpful pages when a similar worry arises
- Notice effort and curiosity rather than expecting an immediate change
Some children will talk while they draw or write. Others will absorb the information quietly and mention it much later. Go with the flow and let your child lead the way. Pressure creates resistance, and emotional intelligence is a lifelong skill, so there’s no rush.
Avoid treating every anxious moment as a test of whether the book has “worked”. Learning to manage anxiety takes time, repetition and support.
You might like: Coping skills for anxiety for kids
Can an anxiety book replace professional help?
Anxiety books can support children with everyday fears and worries, but they are not a substitute for individual medical or psychological advice.
The NHS recommends seeking help when a child’s anxiety is severe, persistent, getting worse or interfering with school, family life or friendships. You can begin by speaking to your child’s school or GP.
Read the NHS guidance on anxiety in children.
A book can still be useful alongside professional support, but it can’t replace it.
Frequently asked questions about anxiety books for kids
Are anxiety books useful for children?
Anxiety books can help children understand worry, recognise its effects and learn practical coping strategies. They can also make it easier for children and adults to begin talking about difficult feelings.
At what age can a child use an anxiety workbook?
Many anxiety workbooks are designed for children aged seven and over, although the right age depends on the child and the book. Younger children may need an adult to read and complete activities with them. Older children and teenagers may prefer to use a book privately.
What if my child refuses to use the book?
Do not force them to complete it. Leave the book somewhere accessible and use what you learn to guide your own responses. Your child may become curious later, or a book for parents may be a better starting point.
Should we read an anxiety book when my child is worried?
It is usually easier to introduce new ideas when your child is relatively calm. Once they are familiar with a particular anxiety tool, you can gently remind them of it during a difficult moment.
What anxiety tools can children learn from books?
Depending on the book, children may learn breathing and grounding exercises, ways to identify anxious thoughts, mindfulness techniques, confidence-building activities and methods for taking manageable steps towards a fear.
Which anxiety book should I choose?
For children aged 7–11, an illustrated guide or anxiety workbook can be a good starting point. Teenagers are likely to prefer a book written specifically for their age group. If your child does not want to engage with a book, choose a guide for parents and carers instead.
About the author
Poppy O’Neill is a bestselling and award-winning children’s author specialising in mental health and emotional wellbeing. She has written more than 25 books for children and parents, with over 450,000 copies sold worldwide in 12 languages.
Her books about childhood anxiety include Don’t Worry, Be Happy, Shrink Your Worries, No More Worries! and the parent guide How to Support Your Anxious Child. Through clear explanations, reassuring language and practical activities, Poppy helps children understand what they are feeling and gives families a gentle place to begin talking about worry.