Children's Books About... Feeling Afraid or Anxious

These books are on the shelves of the Dorothy Henry Branch in Vernon, NJ. It will be updated as frequently as possible to ensure that the titles offered are either still on the shelves, or in some cases, up to date.

Updated February 24, 2025
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A polar bear in the snow
Barnett, Mac
Paper Book
A majestic polar bear heads out on a mysterious walk in a dazzling, playful collaboration from an exciting pair of picture-book creators. Follow a magnificent polar bear through a fantastic world of snow and shockingly blue sea. Over the ice, through the water, past Arctic...
Just like Millie /
Castillo, Lauren,
Paper Book
In a gentle story from Caldecott Honoree Lauren Castillo, a shy young girl finds exploring her new city and making friends overwhelming--until a rescue dog helps her uncover the bravery that was always in her. A young girl and her mother move to an apartment in a new city....
Lawrence & Sophia /
Cronin, Doreen.
Paper Book
By the author of Click, Clack, Moo and the illustrator of The Lost House, here is an utterly endearing story about venturing out of your comfort zone and overcoming anxiety to help a friend. Lawrence stays close to home because "out there" is too big and loud....
Llama Llama misses Mama /
Dewdney, Anna.
Paper Book
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER . Join Llama Llama as he attends his first day of preschool in this charmingly illustrated picture book, perfect for introducing little ones to a big milestone. Strange new teacher. Strange new toys. Lots of kids and lots of noise!...
Francine Poulet meets the ghost raccoon; tales from Deckawoo Drive, volume two
DiCamillo, Kate
Paper Book
A New York Times bestseller! "Francine Poulet will wrangle readers' hearts along with rascally wildlife in this standout early chapter book." -- Booklist (starred review) Francine Poulet is the greatest animal control officer in Gizzford County, hailing...
Franklin Endicott and the third key
DiCamillo, Kate
Paper Book
The latest tale from Deckawoo Drive--and New York Times best-selling creators Kate DiCamillo and Chris Van Dusen--is a balm for young worrywarts facing the unknown. Welcome back to Deckawoo Drive for a sixth endearing installment in the companion series to Kate DiCamillo's...
The skull :
Klassen, Jon
Paper Book
A #1 New York Times bestseller! A Kirkus Book Prize Finalist! A New York Times Best Children's Chapter Book the Year A Wall Street Journal Best Children's Book of the Year Caldecott Medalist and New York Times best-selling author...
Karen's school picture
Martin, Ann M.,
Paper Book
Another graphic novel in this fun series spin-off of The Baby-sitters Club, featuring Kristy's little stepsister! Karen has to get glasses! She doesn't want them, especially because school pictures are going to be taken soon. But she picks out some pretty pink ones and thinks she looks...
Stacey's mistake
Martin, Ann M.,
Paper Book
A Baby-sitters Club graphic novel adapted by National Book Award longlister and Eisner-nominated cartoonist Ellen T. Crenshaw! Stacey is so excited! Her friends from The Baby-sitters Club are coming to New York City for a long weekend. It's going to be perfect -- a party and a sleepover on...
Stink and the hairy scary spider
McDonald, Megan
Paper Book
"Hand this to fans of the Stink series or any spider-loving early reader." --School Library Journal Creepy! Crawly! Criminy! Everyone knows that Stink is bonkers about most scientific things. But there's one exception: dangle a spider in front of him and he goes...
Loud Mouse
Menzel, Idina/ Mentzel, Cara/ Sinquett, Jaclyn (ILT)
Paper Book
Dee loves to sing. She sings during her morning yoga. She even sings while practicing her math facts. She usually sings to herself. But when her teacher asks everyone to share something with the class, Dee knows just what to bring- a song. And as Dee sings la, la, la, la,LOUDly in front of her class...
Hattie Harmony :
Olsen, Elizabeth,
Paper Book
In this sequel to the #1 New York Times bestselling Hattie Harmony- Worry Detective by Elizabeth Olsen and Robbie Arnett, Hattie shares new tools for managing anxiety, just in time for opening night of the school play. It's opening night of the school play and there...
Camp prodigy
Palmer, Caroline
Paper Book
Perfect for fans of Victoria Jamieson and Raina Telgemeier, this heartwarming middle grade graphic novel follows two nonbinary kids who navigate anxiety and identity while having fun and forming friendships at their summer orchestra camp. After attending an incredible concert,...
Junie B. Jones has a monster under her bed
Park, Barbara
Paper Book
THE #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING SERIES WITH OVER 80 MILLION COPIES SOLD * Monsters definitely aren't real, and Junie B. Jones is definitely not scared of them in the hit chapter book series that keeps kids laughing and "makes reading fun" (Dav Pilkey, author of Dog Man).
Junie B. Jones has a peep in her pocket
Park, Barbara
Paper Book
THE #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING SERIES WITH OVER 80 MILLION COPIES SOLD * Junie B. Jones takes a field trip to a farm in the hit chapter book series that keeps kids laughing and "makes reading fun" (Dav Pilkey, author of Dog Man). "Junie B. is the darling of...
Junie B., first grader :
Park, Barbara
Paper Book
THE #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING SERIES WITH OVER 80 MILLION COPIES SOLD * Junie B. Jones tries to work up the courage to go trick-or-treating in the hit chapter book series that keeps kids laughing and "makes reading fun" (Dav Pilkey, author of Dog Man). "Junie...
The Kissing Hand /
Penn, Audrey,
Flying lessons /
Runton, Andy.
Paper Book
Facing fears can be scary... Owly and Wormy love making new friends, and when they spot an unfamiliar animal flying through the trees, they can't wait to meet her! Unfortunately, Shadow the flying squirrel doesn't want to be friends with Owly because she's afraid of him. Wormy tries to...
Owly :
Runton, Andy.
Paper Book
Owly, the little owl with a heart of gold, returns for another forest adventure in this Eisner-winning series about friendship! For Owly and Wormy, nothing beats the power of friendship! But fear can be a powerful force, too. There's a new visitor to the forest, an opossum who's misunderstood...
Mary McScary /
Stine, R. L.
Paper Book
BEWARE OF MARY MCSCARY, a fearless, fierce and funny new picture book heroine on a mission to scare her cousin Harry, from beloved, best-selling children's book icons, RL Stine and Marc Brown. A Barnes and Noble Halloween National Storytime pick! Meet Mary McScary. Mary likes to be...
Salat in secret /
Thompkins-Bigelow, Jamilah,
Paper Book
From the critically acclaimed author of Your Name Is a Song and the bestselling illustrator of The Proudest Blue comes a story about a Muslim boy who receives a salat (prayer) rug on his seventh birthday and becomes empowered about his faith. In this beautiful story...
Molly saves the day : a summer story
Tripp, Valerie
Paper Book
Molly loves Camp Gowonagin from the moment she arrives. She spends two wonderful weeks there singing, hiking, and canoeing with Linda and Susan. When the camp director announces the Color War, Molly is afraid that the fun may end. Molly and Susan are on the Blue Team. They have to capture the flag...
Scaredy Squirrel at night
Watt, Mélanie
Paper Book
Scaredy never sleeps --- sleep might mean bad dreams about dragons, ghosts, vampire bats and polka-dot monsters. Our wide-eyed hero has a plan: stay awake all night, every night. Between counting stars, playing cymbals and making scrapbooks, he does a good job of avoiding dreamland. ...
Scaredy squirrel
Watt, Mľanie
Paper Book
The first book in the Scaredy Squirrel series is a comical story of an endearing squirrel who learns what can happen when he's brave enough to take a risk. Scaredy Squirrel never leaves his nut tree. It's way too dangerous out there. Scaredy Squirrel remains prepared with an emergency kit which...
We're going on a pumpkin hunt /
Wilcox, Mary Hogan,
Paper Book
The perfect Halloween read for trick-or-treators of all ages. Best-selling illustrator Lynn Munsinger puts pumpkins and autumn center stage in this rollicking take on the classic song, We're Going on a Bear Hunt. A spooky nighttime hunt for the biggest pumpkin...
The year we learned to fly /
Woodson, Jacqueline
Paper Book
Jacqueline Woodson and Rafael López's highly anticipated companion to their #1 New York Times bestseller The Day You Begin illuminates the power in each of us to face challenges with confidence. On a dreary, stuck-inside kind of day, a brother and sister heed their...

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