Books I recommend for children and parents
Based on my clinical work with families, I have put together a list of books which I recommend for children and parents which cover issues such as emotional resilience, child attachment, stress, anxiety, worry and big feelings.
Children
The Magic Moment.
Author: Breslin, N. (2018). Publisher: Gill Books.
Nice little mindfulness technique used for managing big feelings for ages 4-8.
Little meerkat's big panic: A story about learning new ways to feel calm.
Author: Evans, J. (2016). Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Story book for ages 4-8 to help them manage feelings of stress, anxiety and panic with useful brain metaphors.
What to do when you worry too much: A kid's guide to overcoming anxiety.
Author: Huebner, D. (2005). Publisher: American Psychological Association.
Interactive self-help book for 6-12 year olds and parents. Introducing CBT techniques for generalized anxiety.
Outsmarting Worry: An older kid's guide to managing anxiety.
Author: Huebner, D. (2017). Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Interactive self-help book for 9-13 year olds and their parents with teenage-friendly tools for anxiety.
The huge bag of worries.
Author: Ironside, V. (2011). Publisher: Hachette Children's Group.
Nice story book for ages 3-8 years on carrying big feelings and the value of sharing them.
The invisible string.
Author: Karst, P. (2001). Publisher: DeVorss & Co.
Lovely story book for ages 4-8 years with fear of separation. Fostering the attachment relationship.
Mindfully Me 3-Pack.
Author: Shanagher, L. & Finerty, R. (2018). Publisher: The Lilliput Press
Amazing series of mindfulness books introducing mindful breathing, kindness and self-compassion to children aged 4-8 years.
Teenie Weenie in a too big world: A story for fearful children.
Author: Sunderland, M. (2003). Publisher: Taylor & Francis.
Story book for ages 5-10 who struggle with worries.
Willy and the wobbly house: A story for children who are anxious or obsessional.
Author: Sunderland, M. (2001). Publisher: London, UK: Taylor & Francis.
Story book for ages 5-10 who struggle with general anxiety symptoms or OCD.
The frog who longed for the moon to smile: A story for children who yearn for someone they love.
Author: Sunderland, M. (2001). Publisher: Taylor & Francis.
Story book for ages 5-10 who struggle with separation anxiety or feelings of loss.
Hey warrior.
Author: Young, K. (2019). Publisher: New Frontier.
Story book for school-aged children explaining why anxiety feels the way it does and empowering them with strategies.
Please explain anxiety to me!: Simple biology and solutions for children and parents (2nd. ed).
Author: Zelinger, L.E., & Zelinger, J. (2014). Publisher: Loving Healing Press.
Story for children ages 5-8 years explaining the brain / body connection underlying anxiety.
Parents