Anxiety is increasingly prevalent in young children, with about 9.4 percent of children having an anxiety diagnosis, according to the CDC. For young children, symptoms of anxiety might look like an increase in crying or tantrums, somatic symptoms, like an upset stomach or headache, difficulty sleeping, restlessness, irritability, or even school refusal. Childhood anxiety can be caused by anything from trauma to significant changes in the child’s life, like a big move to another state, bullying, or even genetics, biology, or family history.

Bibliotherapy can help children overcome anxiety by validating their feelings of worry and fear, normalizing the ways that anxiety functions through thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and modeling valuable skills for coping with anxiety in healthy ways (Montgomery P, Maunders K., 2015). Best of all, the characters in these stories will help your child to feel less alone in their struggle with anxiety.

Here are the top 10 picture books for young children struggling with anxiety.

1. It’s So Difficult by Raúl Nieto Guridi is a picture book that empathetically explores social anxiety and overstimulation. The story follows a child throughout the challenging routines of a single day, showing that even the smallest step forward can be an enormous triumph for children with anxiety. It’s a poignant look at the impact of anxiety and the courage it takes to navigate daily life.

2. My Monster and Me by Nadiya Hussain, winner of The Great British Baking Show and star of Nadiya's Time to Eat, is a sweet story about a boy who has a monster that follows him everywhere, sometimes becoming so big and angry that it overwhelms him. Offering a valuable metaphor for the often unpredictable symptoms of anxiety and panic, this book can spark a dialogue with your........

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