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Understanding and Attending to Our Emotions: Anxiety and Fear

So many things in life can set off anxiety and fear in our brains and bodies. New experiences and relationships, uncertainty, unfamiliarity, busyness, hormonal changes, loss, social situations, expectations (of yourself, of others and what others expect of you), what cannot be seen, the list goes on! Here are books aimed at a kid audience to explain these emotions in an informative and empathetic way and offer examples kids can relate to.

Evanston Public Library

20 items

  • What causes anxiety? And what can we do about it? Readers will learn what anxiety is and what is going on in their brain and nervous system when they feel anxious. Most importantly, kids will discover new strategies to manage their anxiety…
    BookMinneapolis, MN : Beaming Books, 2020. — J 155.41246 Lewis.C
  • Because of a recent string of embarrassing behavior, Kitty's cat license has been revoked and she must take a test to get it back so she can still be a cat. Ages: 6-9
    BookNew York : Roaring Brook Press, 2017. — JChapter Bruel.N
  • Este libro está escrito en español. Ramón no puede dormir. El primer día en su nueva escuela lo asusta. El Cucuy es el monstruo que vive en el cactus de Ramón y tampoco puede dormir. ¡El Cucuy también tiene miedo! English description:…
    Picture Book[New York] : Vintage Español, 2023. — Spanish JPicture Higue.D
  • Deena’s never given a name to the familiar knot in her stomach that appears when her parents argue about money, when it’s time to go to school, or when she struggles to find the right words. She manages to make it through each day with the…
    BookNew York : Salaam Reads, in imprint of Simon & Schuster, 2024 — J Khan.H
  • All children feel afraid at times and need strategies for coping with their fears. Kids will learn to face their fears by taking action, setting goals, or stopping scary thoughts. These tools will help kids develop courage and face their…
    BookMinneapolis, Minnesota : Free Spirit Publishing Inc., 2020. — J 155.41246 Hasso.G
  • Going to the hospital can be strange and scary, but this book will comfort and reassure even the youngest patient. When a little girl develops a bad stomach ache, it’s time to go to the hospital. We follow her experience from arrival…
    Picture BookNew York : Holiday House, [2023] — JPicture Brown.L
  • Thirteen-year-old nonbinary homeschooler Shai is an expert problem-solver. They've always been good at researching solutions and figuring everything out on their own. Well, almost everything. Shai still hasn’t been able to logic their way…
    BookNew York : Little, Brown and Company, 2024. — J Sass.A
  • Harry and Hedgehog are having a sleepover, but Harry is uneasy about sleeping outside. Ages: 4-6
    Easy ReaderNew York, NY : Acorn/Scholastic Inc., 2019. — JEasy Feuti.N
  • Lubna's best friend is a pebble. Pebble always listens to her stories. Pebble always smiles when she feels scared. But when a lost little boy arrives in the World of Tents, Lubna realizes that he needs Pebble even more than she does. Ages:…
    Picture BookNew York, NY, Dial Books for Young Readers, [2019] — JPicture Meddo.W
  • One night, just before bedtime... Milo read a book about a monster under the bed. Milo should not have read that book. Monsters under the bed are scary, but luckily, Milo's best friend, Mel, knows just what to do--scare the monster more…
    Picture BookNew York : Nancy Paulsen Books, 2024. — JPicture Kane.K
  • Pina's fear to venture out of his little house into the wide world will resonate with timid kids. The techniques he uses to overcome his fear--mindful breathing, thinking of his favorite things, carrying a familiar, comforting object with…
    Picture BookThomaston, ME : Tilbury House Publishers, 2022. — JPicture Yemen.E
  • Este libro está escrito en español. English description: Pip-Pip, the littlest penguin, is teased for being afraid of the water until, with his mother's guidance, he finally jumps in. Años/Ages: 3-8
    Picture BookMadrid: Bruño, [2018] — Spanish JEasy Andre.G
  • Meet Stuntboy. He's the newest superhero in town. Or in the apartment building. Or at least in his own head. He'll save you from baddies like Herbert Singletary the Worst. The Worry Wiggles. And the Mean Time. Or he WILL, once he saves…
    BookNew York : Atheneum Books for Young Readers, [2021] — J Reyno.J
  • Brian has always been anxious, whether at home or in class or on the basketball court. His dad tries to get him to stand up for himself, and his mom helps as much as she can, but after he and his brother are placed into foster care, Brian…
    BookNew York : Amulet Books, 2021. — J Lucas.C
  • Tiger unwittingly helps some worms overcome their fear of tigers with a well-placed, informative book, but will a wormy hug aid a fearful Tiger? Ages: 4-8
    BookNew York, New York : Hyperion Books for Children, 2020. — JPicture Wille.M
  • Discover how to recognize fear in others and how to best respond to it with empathy and understanding. Social and emotional learning (SEL) concepts support growth mindset throughout, while Try This! and Grow with Goals activities at the…
    BookMinneapolis, MN : Jump!, Inc., 2020. — J 152.46 Morey.A
  • Who I Am

    Words I Tell Myself

    Verde, Susan,
    This empowering collection of positive affirmations shows kids how to silence the unkind voice in their minds and find the uplifting voice instead that will tell them words that are positive, supportive and true. Ages: 4-8
    Picture BookNew York : Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2023. — JPicture Verde.S
  • Why Do I Feel So Worried?

    a Kid's Guide to Coping With Big Emotions-follow the Arrows From Anxiety to Calm

    Kirkness, Tammi,
    An illustrated flowchart guides kids to the right calming activity for every kind of anxiety. Ages: 7-12
    BookNew York : The Experiment, 2022. — J 152.46 Kirkn.T
  • (我好害怕) Book is written in 中文 (not pinyin) and English. English description: A young bear describes situations that make her feel scared, how it feels to be scared, and how she can feel better. Includes a note to parents and…
    BookBeijing : Dian zi gong ye chu ban she, 2011. — Chinese JPicture Spelm.C
  • Explore what happens in your brain when you feel scared, the chemicals your brain produces, and ways to manage fear. STEM concepts cover aspects of psychology and neurology in simple terms, while social and emotional learning (SEL)…
    BookMinneapolis, MN : Jump!, Inc., 2023 — J 152.46 Colic.A