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
Drag items up and down to your preferred order then select the "Save Order" button.
The shark report /
Anderson, Derek,
Paper Book
Mr. Fitzgerald said sharks like to circle their food while they decide if it looks tasty. I must have left my scooter in the yard. The shark started riding it around our house. And around. And around. On his third time around, I knew. He was circling me....
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...
Lila Greer, teacher of the year /
Beaty, Andrea.
Paper Book
From the #1 New York Times bestselling creators of Ada Twist, Scientist and Rosie Revere, Engineer comes the story of the very first Questioneer: Lila Greer, Teacher of the Year! This moving picture book about an anxious girl's arrival at a new school celebrates...
Franklin in the dark /
Bourgeois, Paulette
Paper Book
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...
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....
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...
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
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...
Houdini and me /
Gutman, Dan
Paper Book
Harry has always admired the famous escape artist Houdini. And when Houdini asks for help in coming back to life, it seems like an amazing chance...or could it be Houdini's greatest trick of all? Eleven-year-old Harry Mancini is NOT Harry Houdini--the famous escape artist who...
Wolfboy is scared
Harkness, Andy
Paper Book
Wolfboy shows readers it's okay to be a little bit scared in this hilarious story that's perfect for fans of I'm Not Scared, You're Scared! The only way for Wolfboy to get home before moonset is by sneaking through the Grumble Monster's lair. This is...
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...
Something's wrong! :
John, Jory.
Paper Book
A hilarious picture book from #1 New York Times-bestselling author of The Bad Seed, Jory John, paired with the #1 New York Times-bestselling illustrator of Buffalo Fluffalo, Erin Kraan, about a bear whose friends help him make it through a bad day!
Drawing Deena /
Khan, Hena.
Paper Book
From the award-winning author of Amina's Voice and Amina's Song comes a "nuanced and quietly powerful" (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) middle grade novel about a young Pakistani American artist determined to manage her anxiety and forge her own creative path.
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
Here's the first book in the beloved and hilarious Alvin Ho chapter book series, which has been compared to Diary of a Wimpy Kid and is perfect for both beginning and reluctant readers. Alvin, an Asian American second grader, is afraid of everything--elevators, tunnels, girls,...
Let the monster out /
Lucas, Chad,
Paper Book
Bones Malone feels like he can't do anything right in his new small town: He almost punched the son of the woman who babysits him and his brothers, he's one of the only Black kids in Langille, and now his baseball team (the one place where he really feels like he shines) just lost their first...
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...
The lurking lima bean /
McGee, Joe,
Paper Book
In this second installment in the spooky and silly series that's perfect for fans of Goosebumps and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, a girl's dinner comes back to haunt her! Wolver Hollow is not a normal town. The adults are too busy shuffling off to work at the old...
The not-so-itsy-bitsy spider /
McGee, Joe,
Paper Book
In this third installment in the spooky and silly series that's perfect for fans of Goosebumps and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, two kids home alone face off against a giant spider! Wolver Hollow is not a normal town. The adults are too busy shuffling off to work at the old...
I'm not scared, you're scared! /
Meyers, Seth,
Paper Book
From the incomparable host of "Late Night with Seth Meyers" comes a hilarious new picture book. When you're a bear who is easily scared, it's hard to have friends. Fortunately, Bear has one: Rabbit, who is very brave. One day, Rabbit urges Bear to face his fears and...
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
In Flying Lessons, Owly figures out why he can't fly, and helps another forest creature with his own flying problems. Relying on a mixture of symbols, icons, and expressions to tell his silent stories, Runton's clean, animated, and heartwarming style makes it a perfect read for anyone who's a fan of...
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.
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 the next addition to the Elephant & Piggie Like Reading series, perfect bedtime, classrooms, readalouds, and any time you'd like a good laugh. Tiger is...
Bear feels scared /
Wilson, Karma.
Paper Book
Bad weather frightens Bear, but his woodland friends are there to help him in this sweet, reassuring Bear story from bestselling duo Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman! In the deep, dark woods by the Strawberry Vale, a big bear lumbers down a...
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...

Library staff! You can create and contribute to lists. Contact your catalog administrator or log in here.