March 18, 2026

Books for the Kid Who Worries About Everything

My daughter said, "What if nobody plays with me tomorrow?" She's five. And I realized — the worrying starts so much earlier than I expected. 📖

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

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 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 Dark

The Dark

by Lemony Snicket

A boy named Laszlo is afraid of the dark. The dark lives in the basement, in the closet, behind the shower curtain. One night, the dark visits Laszlo. A picture book about real fear that sits with the reader instead of dismissing it. Illustrated by Jon Klassen.

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 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.

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