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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Way past worried /
Adelman, Hallee,
Ebook
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....
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
This larger-format special collectible edition of the first Franklin book celebrates the 25th anniversary of the world's most beloved turtle. Includes never-before-seen archival material and personal letters from the author and illustrator that offers a fun behind-the-scenes peek at this Canadian...
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,...
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...
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
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
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...
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...
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...
Horrible Harry on the ropes /
Kline, Suzy
Audiobook
Acclaimed children's author Suzy Kline has written more than 20 of the ever-popular Horrible Harry books for beginning readers. In Horrible Harry on the Ropes, everybody's favorite third grader is staring down the most frightening thing he's ever seen: the climbing rope at gym class. Harry doesn't...
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,
Ebook
Now in paperback, 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 anything right in his new...
Brave every day /
Ludwig, Trudy.
Paper Book
From social-emotional learning expert Trudy Ludwig and award-winning picture book illustrator Patrice Barton (co-creators of The Invisible Boy) comes a story about managing anxiety and finding the courage to stand up for yourself and others. Most kids love hide-and-seek,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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
"Hilarious. Barbara Park makes reading fun." --Dav Pilkey, author of Dog Man   Barbara Park's #1 New York Times bestselling chapter book series, Junie B. Jones, has been keeping kids laughing--and reading--for more than twenty-five years. Over 65 million...
Junie B. Jones has a peep in her pocket /
Park, Barbara
Paper Book
Junie B., first grader :
Park, Barbara
Paper Book
"Hilarious. Barbara Park makes reading fun." --Dav Pilkey, author of Dog Man Carve out family time for this Halloween read with the World's Funniest First Grader--Junie B. Jones! It's Halloween! But Junie B. is afraid to go trick-or-treating. 'Cause...
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...
Owly. Volume 4, A time to be brave
Runton, Andy.
Paper Book
The fourth graphic novel in the award-winning, all-ages series tells the story of new visitor to the forest. He may be misunderstood because of how he looks, but things aren't always what they seem, and everyone soon finds out that the power of friendship can fix just about anything. Relying on a...
Henry and Mudge and Annie's good move : the eighteenth book of their adventures
Rylant, Cynthia.
Paper Book
Cousin Annie is moving -- and she's moving next door to Henry and his big dog Mudge! Annie is nervous about leaving friends...changing schools...and about what might happen to all her frilly dresses on that moving truck. Henry wants to help Annie feel better, and with a dog like...
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 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, 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...
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 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...

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