Children's Books About Anxiety

I don't know any anti-anxiety books. However, when my kids were little and I dealt with a high-strung personality in my older son, I read a lot of Berenstain books to him. Each one dealt with a different subject. I will say that the one thing I didn't care for were the very specifically defined gender roles, but I decided that since my husband and I didn't really live those defined gender roles like Berenstain Bears, I wasn't going to worry about that.

If you can't find what you are looking for, try the Berenstain Bears books. They are down to earth (for the most part) and deal with family and children's issues. Maybe that will help.

Dawn

I don't have one that addresses anxiety directly, however, "Tiger-Tiger, Is It True?" by Byron Katie is really good because it shows children how to question their thoughts. Anxiety is about fearful thoughts playing out unchecked, in our minds . Questioning those thoughts allows us to become aware of what we are thinking and then investigate what is really going on.

Another thing is to help him play out his own stories. Ask him to tell you what he is afraid will happen. Then ask him what will happen next. Then ask him what he would do. Then ask him again what will happen next. etc. Too often with anxiety we get stuck in the story of the disaster and never play it out to the reality of how life actually continues. If he says he doesn't know what he would do, just ask him to pretend like he knew what to do. The word pretend puts us back in kindergarten brain and circumnavigates the fear.

Helping him to see what inner resources he has, to deal with any crises, can be very helpful as well. Help him to apply his imagination, creativity, smartness, whether he can run fast, or ask for help, or build something, or anything that he knows he can do will support him in crises. Help him to see where "bad" things have happened before and look at how he got through that. Be specific, did he sing a song, did he ask for help, did he create something, etc.

Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes.
Ready for Anything by Keiko Kasza.

I ask my 6 yr old DD If she can think of another time she was nervous about starting something new (or whatever) and that turned out to be fun? Have her list a bunch.

We came up with mantra (I am brave, I am safe, I am loved) she can repeat in her head when she is anxious about something.

I found this one VERY helpful:
http://www.amazon.com/Helping-Anxious-Child-Step---Step/d...

My 5 year old is the same way, so far we've been dealing with each individual worry or fear with nonfiction books from the libaray. Storms, war, bears, etc. I'm looking forward to whatever recommendations you get on here.

Perhaps his school counselor could recommend something. And maybe he can talk to the school counselor for help with his anxiety challenges. Good luck!

I just went to a meeting at my child's school led by the guidance counselors and they recommended these kids' books:

http://www.amazon.com/Courage-Bernard-Waber/dp/0618238557...

http://www.amazon.com/Sometimes-Im-Scared-Jane-Annunziata...

Good Luck!

My daughter had bad anxiety when she started first grade. This is one of the books that I have read to her. Some parts I didnt read to her since I didnt feel she would understand but overall great book.

http://www.amazon.com/What-When-You-Worry-Much/dp/1591473...