In Don’t Worry, Little Crab, it is the very first time the little crab goes to the big wide sea with a very big crab. He is quite scared of it and wants to go home a lot of times. I could imagine that he wanted that given that there is a lot of whooshing of the waves. Big waves. Much bigger than a tiny little crab. But luckily, there is a very big crab who keeps telling him not to worry, and that he should just go for it. In the end, the very big crab manages to get the little crab to come with him and what happens next was just a wonderful and sweet thing.

This book is fantastic!! About bravery when scared of the unknown and the way those around you with more experience can help guide you slowly through trying something new. And the surprises that can be found when trying something new, even if it's scary at first. Especially notice the step-by-step, patient, & supportive way Big Crab helps Little Crab face that fear.

Link to buy: www.amazon.com/Dont-Worry-Little-Chris-Haughton/dp/1406385514

This story in The Worrysaurus follows a day in the life of a Worrysaurus seeing the challenges he faces and how he deals with them. You see how The Worrysaurus likes to prepare for situations and how he feels when he is no longer in control. As reader, they will particularly like the use of a butterfly within this story as they can feel it is an image that children could relate a feeling to that they may find difficult to process usually.

The Worrysaurus is such a lovely story that expresses difficult emotions for children to deal with in a child-friendly way and helps children to know they can control their emotions by chasing their worries away. Ensure lots of children and adults can relate to this book and discuss experiences and ways that you can try and cope with the changing world but not let it ruin your day and your mental health.

Link to buy: www.amazon.com/Worrysaurus-Rachel-Bright/dp/1408356139

This is a story about Wide-eyed Jeremy who worries about everything - zippers, worms, socks, squirrels. Then he meets Maggie, who challenges him by asking “What’s the worst that could happen?” They become close friends and Maggie encourages Jeremy to have a little fun in spite of his fears. When the big wind does come, Jeremy is motivated by friendship to rush outside and save Maggie.

The illustrations are colorful and fun. There are great details, like snaggle-toothed, sock-wearing dinosaurs and acorn-lobbing squirrels. The refrain of “What’s the worst that could happen?” is never answered - adults and children reading together may want to share their own thoughts on what bad things could happen and how they could avoid or resolve them. Jeremy Worried About the Wind is a picture book about facing your fears and embracing adventure is welcome.

Link to buy: www.amazon.com/Jeremy-Worried-About-the-Wind/dp/1788007751

With bright, detailed illustrations and a very clear message, What If, Pig? is the ideal prompt for talking about worry/anxiety with young children (aged 4+). The story is excellently laid out, perfectly paced, and relatable for the target audience, the use of color is spot on and the happy, hopeful ending will make this a book children want to revisit again and again! A must-have in a primary teacher's library and an excellent resource for parents of thinkers too.

A picture book about Pig, who decides to throw a party but then worries about all the things that might go wrong. Luckily, his best pal Mouse is there to help him when things are looking hopeless. Every word on the page counts in this story, and the rhythm and flow of the text, make it perfect for reading aloud. The story and its themes make it a great book for the classroom too, easily facilitating discussions and activities about sharing worries with the people who care about you.

Link to buy: www.amazon.com/What-If-Pig-Linzie-Hunter/dp/0062986090

Sometimes the world can feel like a scary place for kids. The beginning was beautifully open-ended. It mentioned a few general possible reasons why young readers might worry, but it left plenty of space for the grown-up reading it to include specific areas of concern if needed.

The author does think it would have been helpful for the narrator to explain the difference between normal, everyday worries and anxiety. This is something she happily read to young children who worry occasionally but are otherwise okay. However, Worries Are Not Forever adds some caveats for kids who suffer from serious or long-term anxiety as there are other coping mechanisms that might work better for them. This is a minor criticism of a picture book that was thought was otherwise excellent and wish everybody had access to when they were a kid!

Link to buy: www.amazon.com/Worries-Are-Forever-Best-Behavior/dp/1631983148

As more and more people are experiencing high levels of stress and anxiety, it is possible really appreciate Don’t Worry, Murray. While this book doesn't necessarily give the best advice to all readers who may share similar feelings to Murray, it's a sweet story with great illustrations.

A cute little picture book about a dog named Murray who worries about everything. Several challenges are presented throughout the book and why Murray worries about each one. And with a little encouragement, how to solve each. It is about how Murray never talks, but instead, his reasons for worrying are presented through sequential pictures which need to be looked at to solve why he is worried about that particular situation. This book could be helpful for a child who has worries and how to talk through that worry to solve the problem, so they can overcome it like Murray!

Link to buy: www.amazon.com/Dont-Worry-Murray-David-Stein/dp/0062845241

In How Big Are Your Worries Little Bear?, Little Bear is experiencing a lot of anxiety about different aspects of his everyday life such as school, soccer practice, and going to sleep. Mental health is portrayed in this book in a very positive light. The author did a good job at making sure that anxiety isn't an aspect that singles you out from others around you and that you can work through your anxieties. Though this was a realistic depiction of anxiety. The author showed that Little Bear had anxiety over everyday aspects, which happens with others in the real world.

The author also did a good job of portraying how anxiety can make you feel sick or overwhelmed and gave positive ways to work through your anxiety. This book did an amazing job at both portraying anxiety and portraying different ways you can work through your anxiety. It is appropriate to read to young children. It doesn't show anxiety in a complex manner and applies it to some real-life scenarios that children may be experiencing at a young age.

Link to buy: www.amazon.com/How-Your-Worries-Little-Bear/dp/1925089207

Ruby is a young girl who one day stumbles upon a worry. Though other people can't see her worry, it is very real to her and thinking about it only makes the worry bigger. This picture book Ruby Finds a Worry is a great springboard for talking with kids about worries and anxiety. Ruby learns some important lessons along the way. She discovers that everyone has worries and that talking about worries can help them get smaller. The reader reviewed that they loved that Ruby recognized when another child was sad and found out that talking to them was helpful for them. The author said that it is greatly suitable reading this with four-year-olds, but elementary and middle school kids would benefit from this story as well.

Most people love the adorable illustrations in this story and are so happy to see this important message available for children who suffer from anxiety (and for those who need empathy for others who suffer). The artwork in this book was created digitally using Kyle T. Webster’s natural media brushes for Photoshop and a selection of hand-painted textures.

Link to buy: www.amazon.com/Ruby-Finds-Worry-Tom-Percival/dp/1547602376

Hey Warrior is a great read for kids who worry a lot and experience anxiety. This is great for allowing students to accept their feelings and emotions. This book puts into terms what may be happening in their body when they are feeling anxious. This will allow students to feel heard - it offers remedies to students with tools that they can use when they are experiencing anxiety. There is a section in the book called "cool things about me". This is a huge self-esteem builder for kids who are going through stress. The cognitive skill of listening to yourself and knowing what helps you and what doesn't is a huge life lesson for kids to learn and this book makes it easier to do so.

Although it's a picture book, this is really aimed at older school-aged kids. The pictures are cute (but not babyish) and there are lots of straightforward facts, helpful tips, and very positive messaging. Parents can simplify it a lot for their child (ASD, anxiety,...) but it's better this will be good to let them revisit it when they are older.

Link to buy: www.amazon.com/Hey-Warrior/dp/1925545083

A beautiful book that shows the embodiment of fear and how it grows in a young girl's life as she transitions to a new country. You will love the way the end shows that everyone has fear and hope this book is a comfort to children like the main character and an inspiration to other readers to welcome in and comfort anyone new to an unfamiliar place.

Me and My Fear is very focused on children and the fears they face and speaks perfectly to children dealing with fear. The artwork was cute and gentle. It perfectly echoed the message of the prose. Readers and children loved the ending, with the pictures of everyone, the adults, children, and animals, with their own little fear. This book not only shows fear and what it can do, but it also shows compassion and what that can do to the fear of others. A sweet book that would be useful for children who are experiencing a big move, changing schools, or who are just generally fearful.

Link to buy: www.amazon.com/Me-My-Fear-Francesca-Sanna/dp/1911171534