A Book Fairy List

Picture Books for the Worried Kid

For the kid who carries their worries in their stomach. These aren't “feelings books” with a lesson stapled on — they're beautiful stories that happen to hand an anxious kid the words they didn't have yet. Save this for the night you need it. You'll know the night.

These are the books featured in this post — tap any cover to find it on Amazon.

Cover of Ruby’s Worry

Ruby’s Worry

by Tom Percival

A reassuring and sensitive book – the perfect springboard for talking to children about sharing their hidden worries. From the Big Bright Feelings series by Tom Percival Be open, be honest, be you! Big Bright Feelings for little people. 'If your child has a worry - and all children do have worries - this is the ideal book to encourage them to talk about it' Parents In Touch Ruby loves being Ruby. Until, one day, she finds a worry. At first it's not such a big worry, and that's all right, but then it starts to grow. It gets bigger and bigger every day and it makes Ruby sad. How can Ruby get rid of it and feel like herself again? A perceptive and poignant story that is a must-have for all children's bookshelves. From Tom Percival's bestselling Big Bright Feelings series, this is the perfect book for discussing childhood worries and anxieties, no matter how big or small they may be.

Cover of The Worrysaurus

The Worrysaurus

by Rachel Bright

A modern Wemberly Worried-featuring dinosaurs!-for today's young readers, with reassuring, lighthearted text and charming illustrations sure to calm the anxious butterflies in any child's tummy. It's a beautiful day and Worrysaurus has planned a special picnic. But it isn't long before a small butterfly of worry starts fluttering in his tummy...What if he hasn't brought enough to eat?What if he gets lost in the jungle?What if it rains?!With a little help from his mom, Worrysaurus finds a way to soothe the anxious butterflies, chase his fears away, and find peace and happiness in the moment at hand.Discover the perfect book to help every little anxious Worrysaurus let go of their fears, and feel happy in the moment at hand! The Worrysaurus strikes just the right balance of positive, lighthearted, and kid-friendly, with reassuring, rhyming text from Rachel Bright, the bestselling author of The Lion Inside and Love Monster, and charming illustrations from Chris Chatterton. Perfect for any reader who might feel the flutter of an anxious butterfly in their tummy, The Worrysaurus is sure to become a storytime favorite!

Cover of Wemberly Worried

Wemberly Worried

by Kevin Henkes

Wemberly worries about everything. Big things, little things, and things in between. Her biggest worry is her first day of school. When she gets there, the teacher introduces her to another mouse who worries about everything too. The worry gets smaller when shared.

Cover of In My Heart: A Book of Feelings

In My Heart: A Book of Feelings

by Jo Witek

Naming the feeling is half the battle

Cover of What Do You Do with a Problem?

What Do You Do with a Problem?

by Kobi Yamada

This is the story of a persistent problem and the child who isn't so sure what to make of it. The longer the problem is avoided, the bigger it seems to get. But when the child finally musters up the courage to face it, the problem turns out to be something quite different than it appeared. What Do You Do With a Problem? is a story for anyone, at any age, who has ever had a problem that they wished would go away. It's a story to inspire you to look closely at that problem and to find out why it's here. Because you might discover something amazing about your problem... and yourself.

Cover of The Worry Box

The Worry Box

by Suzanne Chiew

Murray Bear has lots of worries. His sister Molly teaches him to write each worry on a slip of paper and put it in a special box. The worries don't go away. They become something he can manage. Kirkus: an alternative to worry dolls for anxious children.

Cover of My Monster and Me

My Monster and Me

by Nadiya Hussain

A small boy and his worry monster. The monster has always been there. It follows him everywhere. When he finally tells his grandmother, the monster starts to shrink. It doesn't disappear. It gets small enough to fit in his pocket. Kirkus starred review. Written by Hussain from her own lifelong panic disorder.

Cover of Will It Be Okay?

Will It Be Okay?

by Crescent Dragonwagon

Author Crescent Dragonwagon and Julián Is a Mermaid illustrator Jessica Love pair up in this powerful new edition of a classic picture book that asks a tough question and answers it with humanity, humor, and grace In this beautiful new edition of a timeless picture book classic, a child asks, "Will it be okay?" That bee sting, that thunderstorm, those powerful feelings, losing a loved one. Written by Crescent Dragonwagon, daughter of legendary children’s book author and editor Charlotte Zolotow, and illustrated by the equally inimitable Jessica Love, Will It Be Okay? answers a timeless and universal question with honesty, humanity, beauty, and humor. Will it be okay? Yes—yes, it will.

Cover of After the Fall (How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again)

After the Fall (How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again)

by Dan Santat

From the New York Times-bestselling creator of The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend comes the inspiring epilogue to the beloved classic nursery rhyme Humpty Dumpty. Everyone knows that when Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. But what happened after? Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat's poignant tale follows Humpty Dumpty, an avid bird watcher whose favorite place to be is high up on the city wall--that is, until after his famous fall. Now terrified of heights, Humpty can longer do many of the things he loves most. Will he summon the courage to face his fear? After the Fall (How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again) is a masterful picture book that will remind readers of all ages that Life begins when you get back up. 2018 NCTE Charlotte Huck Award Winner A Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of 2017 A New York Times Notable Children's Book of 2017 A New York City Public Library Notable Best Book for Kids A Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2017 A Horn Book Fanfare Best Book of 2017 An NPR Best Book of 2017

Cover of The Wind May Blow

The Wind May Blow

by Unknown

Life doesn't always go smoothly. Sometimes, the wind may blow, but remember: you can do hard things. This gorgeous picture book puts into words every parent's wish for their child as they face life's challenges. With peek-through pages and a gentle, lyrical text, this is a book to share and treasure.

As an Amazon Associate, XO Your Book Fairy earns from qualifying purchases. Bookshop.org links may also earn a commission.