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 18, 2025
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Monster games /
Paper Book
Mike Wazowski and James P. "Sulley" Sullivan are an inseparable pair, but that wasn't always the case. From the moment these two mismatched monsters met, they couldn't stand each other. The prequel to Disney/Pixar's blockbuster hit Monsters, Inc., Monsters University unlocks the door to how Mike and...
Way past worried /
Adelman, Hallee,
Paper Book
Sometimes being worried can keep you from having fun. Brock is worried. Way past worried, with his heart thumping and his mind racing. Today is his friend Juan's superhero party and he's going all by himself. What if nobody plays with him? What if everyone...
The Great Zapfino
Barnett, Mac
Paper Book
From two bestselling and beloved creators comes a sweet and inspiring picture book about a runaway circus performer who learns to face his fears and follow his heart. When The Great Zapfino climbs to the top of the circus platform, all eyes are on him, waiting for his incredible...
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...
Franklin in the dark /
Bourgeois, Paulette
Paper Book
Franklin is afraid of small, dark places-especially his own shell at night. After he asks other animals for advice, he figures out the best way to conquer his fear of the dark.
Dr. Seuss's Horton hears a boo! /
Bradford, Wade.
Paper Book
Join Dr. Seuss's beloved character Horton the elephant and friends on a Halloween adventure as they try to overcome their fears and find the source of a spooky sound! In the Jungle of Nool, near the Glowbug Lagoon, In the hush of the night, 'neath the October moon,...
Love, Mama /
Bradley, Jeanette
Paper Book
With a heartwarming story and tender illustrations, Jeanette Bradley's debut picture book Love, Mama is perfect for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, and any day when a child needs a reminder of the strength of a mother's love. When Mama leaves her young penguin Kipling, he knows...
Ramona the brave /
Cleary, Beverly
Paper Book
Newbery Medal-winning author Beverly Cleary lovingly chronicles the ups and downs of elementary school woes. This is perfect for fans of Clementine.  For a girl as enthusiastic about life as Ramona, starting the first grade should be easy! But with a teacher who doesn't understand her...
Llama Llama misses Mama /
Dewdney, Anna.
Paper Book
Strange new teacher. Strange new toys. Lots of kids and lots of noise! What would Llama like to do? Llama Llama feels so new . . . It's Llama Llama's first day of preschool! And Llama Llama's mama makes sure he's ready. They meet the teachers. See the...
Francine Poulet meets the ghost raccoon /
DiCamillo, Kate
Paper Book
Deckawoo Drive's intrepid animal control officer meets her match--or does she? A funny, heartfelt, and fast-paced romp from Kate DiCamillo. Francine Poulet is the greatest animal control officer in Gizzford County. She hails from a long line of animal control officers. She's...
Franklin Endicott and the third key
DiCamillo, Kate
Ebook
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...
Chicken chickens /
Gorbachev, Valeri,
Paper Book
On their first visit to a playground, two little chickens are afraid to play until a beaver helps them go down the slide.
Mrs. Barr has gone too far! /
Gutman, Dan
Paper Book
With more than 30 million books sold, the My Weird School series really gets kids reading! In this ninth book in the My Weirder-est School arc, A.J. and his friends learn some new, exciting facts about geography from a world traveler. No need to pack your bags for this trip! ...
Don't worry, little crab /
Haughton, Chris,
Paper Book
From the award-winning creator of Shh! We Have a Plan comes a vibrantly colorful story about mustering the courage to try something new. Little Crab and Very Big Crab live in a tiny rock pool near the sea. Today they're going for a dip in the big ocean. "This is going to...
This is not a drill /
Holt, K. A.
Paper Book
The first rule of lockdown: Find a safe place to hide. Ava is having a really bad day. Her parents are getting divorced. She just had a big argument with her two best friends. And she forgot to charge her phone... again. To top it all off, while she is hiding out in the bathroom...
Something's wrong! :
John, Jory.
Paper Book
Jeff the bear has definitely forgotten something. He ate his breakfast, he watered his plant, he combed his fur . . . what could it be? Why does he feel so oddly off? So he asks his friend Anders the rabbit what could possibly be wrong. It couldn't have anything to do with the fact that he's wearing...
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...
The haunting /
Lasky, Kathryn
Paper Book
Newbery Honor-winning Kathryn Lasky, author of the bestselling Guardians of Ga'Hoole and Bears of Ice series, delivers a sweeping middle grade animal adventure with loyal beavers, a cultured swan, and ominous lynxes around every turn--a captivating story about heroism, loyalty, and the courage to...
Alvin Ho allergic to girls, school, and other scary things /
Look, Lenore.
Paper Book
The first book in a hilarious chapter book series that tackles anxiety in a fun, kid-friendly way. Perfect for both beginning and reluctant readers, and fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid! A humorous and touching series about facing your fears and embracing new experiences--with a...
Let the monster out /
Lucas, Chad,
Paper Book
Chad Lucas's Let the Monster Out is an equal parts heart-pounding and heartfelt middle-grade mystery about facing--and accepting--your fears, perfect for fans of Stranger Things and The Parker Inheritance. Bones Malone feels like he can't do...
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
Stink's spider phobia spurs his sister, Judy, and friend Webster to try some desensitization techniques--until a real-life encounter takes them by surprise--in a hilarious episode offering a bonus origami activity. Creepy! Crawly! Criminy! Everyone knows that Stink is...
Countdown to kindergarten
McGhee, Alison
Paper Book
It's just ten days before kindergarten, and this little girl has heard all there is to know--from afirst grader--about what it's going to be like. You can't bring your cat, you can't bring a stuffed animal, and the number one rule? You can't ask anyone for help. Ever. So what do you do...
The invisible bear
Metzger, Cécile
Paper Book
A simple act of kindness brings two unlikely friends together in this profound picture book about the transformative power of friendship. A bear sits in his quiet, colorless home in a forgotten place. He feels invisible; no one comes to see him, and he spends his days alone.
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
Meet the World's Funniest Kindergartner--Junie B. Jones! With over 50 million books in print, Barbara Park's New York Times bestselling chapter book series, Junie B. Jones, is a classroom favorite and has been keeping kids laughing--and reading--for over 20 years! In the 8th...
Junie B. Jones has a peep in her pocket /
Park, Barbara
Paper Book
Join Junie B. Jones, the world's funniest kindergartner and star of a beloved and mega-bestselling chapter book series, on this springtime adventure to a farm! Barbara Park's New York Times bestselling chapter book series, Junie B. Jones, is a classroom favorite...
Junie B., first grader :
Park, Barbara
Paper Book
Meet the World's Funniest First Grader--Junie B. Jones! It's Halloween! With over 50 million books in print, Barbara Park's New York Times bestselling chapter book series, Junie B. Jones, is a classroom favorite and has been keeping kids laughing--and reading--for over 20 years!...
The Kissing Hand /
Penn, Audrey,
Paper Book
School is starting in the forest, but Chester Raccoon does not want to go. To help ease Chester's fears, Mrs. Raccoon shares a family secret called the Kissing Hand to give him the reassurance of her love any time his world feels a little scary. Since its first publication in 1993, this heartwarming...
The Ickabog /
Rowling, J. K.
Paper Book
From J.K. Rowling, a warm, fast-paced, funny fairy tale of a fearsome monster, thrilling adventure, and hope against all odds. Once upon a time there was a tiny kingdom called Cornucopia, as rich in happiness as it was in gold, and famous for its food. From the delicate cream cheeses of Kurdsburg...
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...
Dear student /
Swartz, Elly
Paper Book
When Autumn becomes the secret voice of the advice column in her middle school newspaper she is faced with a dilemma--can she give fair advice to everyone, including her friends, while keeping her identity a secret? Starting Middle School is rough for Autumn after her one and...
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 conquers her fear of swimming underwater when she and the other campers at Camp Gowonagin divide into two teams to play Color War.
Scaredy Squirrel /
Watt, Mâelanie,
Paper Book
Scaredy Squirrel never leaves his nut tree. It's way too dangerous out there. He could encounter tarantulas, green Martians or killer bees. But in his tree, every day is the same and if danger comes along, he's well-prepared. Scaredy Squirrel's emergency kit includes antibacterial soap, Band-Aids...
Love waves /
Wells, Rosemary
Paper Book
How to comfort a young child who misses a special person when he or she is away? A treasured picturebook creator has the perfect solution. Love Waves are what we send to our loved ones until we can be together again. Invisible and strong, they can fly across town or around the...
The pigeon has to go to school! /
Willems, Mo.
Paper Book
Mo Willems, #1 New York Times best-selling creator and three-time Caldecott Honoree, presents everyone's favorite Pigeon trying to escape . . . SCHOOL.   Why does the Pigeon have to go to school? He already knows everything! And what if he doesn't like it? What if the...
Sam, the most scaredy-cat kid in the whole world /
Willems, Mo.
Paper Book
A TERRIFICALLY TERRIFYING TALE! Sam is afraid of anything and everything-except for his friend Leonardo, the terrible monster. Kerry is afraid of everything and anything-except for her friend Frankenthaler, the other monster. ...
What about worms!? /
Willems, Mo.
Paper Book
A Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor award winner! From #1 New York Times best-selling author Ryan T. Higgins comes What About Worms!? Tiger is BIG. Tiger is BRAVE. And Tiger is NOT afraid of anything ... except WORMS! Are Tiger's worm worries worse than worms?
Bear feels scared /
Wilson, Karma.
Audiobook
Bear Feels Scared
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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