Children’s Books About School Worries
In keeping with the Back-to-School season, I wanted to share a few books that address some specific school worries or struggles. They aren’t all made just for August though. They could be used when moving to a new school, returning to school after an illness or injury, or when a child is struggling with a specific aspect of school. Different parts of school can be hard for different kids, and so I appreciate that these books address some common worries. I did sort them by topic to make it easier to find what you are looking for, but please keep in mind that many of them could be also helpful in talking about related subjects. If your child is going to a new medical clinic, they could still use the mantra in one of the back to school books below. If your child is getting used to being independent an any situation, some of the analogies or stories in these books can give courage to be themselves and encourage them to use some of the coping skills they’ve learned. If your child struggles with any worries, they will relate to these stories. Talking about these feelings can help kids express their own worries and learn more about how to work through them or with them.
General worries about the first day or starting a new school:
Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes
This story is about a young mouse who worries all the time. Her family doesn’t know what to do to help. She often holds her baby and rubs its ears in worry. As the first day of school approaches, Wemberly focuses her worry on school, but when she finally goes, she meets another young mouse a lot like her. Not only does it calm her school worries, but she starts to feel less worried than usual. Being together helps. While this book does not offer direct tips on helping worries, it can help kids identify what they are feeling and feel less alone - which can be half the journey! Good for very young children through early school age.
https://amzn.to/3Sp7il0
Mae’s First Day of School by Kate Berube
This book is about a young girl who is worried about the first day of school. She tells her parents she is not going and is still resisting on her walk to school with her mom. Ultimately, she climbs a tree and decides she might live there instead. She is surprised to find another girl climbing the tree minutes later. They share many of the same worries about friends and not knowing how to read. Then a teacher climbs the tree and states that she too is not going because she is worried. The three of them together calm each other and reassure each other. Finally, they head into school together. This is another book that helps kids see they are not alone in being nervous about school. Good for preschool through young elementary age.
https://amzn.to/4ioeUyK
The Worry-Worry Whale and the Classroom Jitters by Deborah Diesen
This book tells the story of a young whale who doesn’t like to raise her fin and answer questions in class. She is nervous about freezing or getting it wrong. Her teacher reminds the class that questions and talking are how everyone learns and grows. At home that night, she played school with her parents. As the teacher the young whale finds that her parents don’t always have the answers and sometimes take a while to answer. They talk about how much they learned together and the next day the young whale gives it a try and participates in class. This book could be especially great for kids that are shy or less confident. It is also a great example of practicing the things that are hard for you to prepare for success the next time. This could be great for preschool through young elementary school aged kids.
https://amzn.to/4x9xb7J
Breathe Like a Bear: First Day of School Worries by Kira Willey
This book shows a bear on his walk to school on the first day. He is feeling a little nervous and so are some of his other forest friends (each for their own reasons). The owl teaches them a mantra that they can repeat to themselves when they are feeling worried. The book engages the reader with questions on each page about the things that help them connect with the characters and how they are feeling. A simple story for young children or kids that do well with an action item to help them feel calm.
https://amzn.to/4gFdM8F
The Nervous Dragon: A Story About Overcoming Back-to-School Worries by DK
This simple board book is about a young dragon who is worried about going to school because he can’t breathe fire. They get to the part of the day where they work on blowing fire, and he learns that most of the young dragons can’t breathe fire. This book is good for kids nervous about not knowing all the things and to remind kids that all kids are in together. You aren’t supposed to know everything before you go to school. This book would be good for young children through early elementary.
https://amzn.to/4cDNqBx
Being nervous about using the bathroom in school:
Raj’s Rule by Lana Button
Raj, a school-aged boy, shares with the reader his one rule - don’t go to bathroom at school. He states he likes the bathroom he knows, at home, and can pull it off by avoiding lots of things throughout the day including running around, drinking his drink box, water play, and more fun. Until suddenly he has a bathroom emergency and breaks his own rule. Of course, he then realizes that it is no big deal and way better than skipping out on all of the fun. Great for kids who are nervous about using the bathroom away from home. Would be great for young children but could be used for even young elementary kids.
https://amzn.to/4xgxZYE
Being different:
Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melong by Patty Lovell
This book tells the story of Molly Lou who is tiny, buck toothed and has a strange voice. Her grandmother teaches her to be proud of all of these things, even if she is different. When she moves to a new school, kids try to make fun of her, but every time her difference ends up making her look even cooler than the other kids. A fun story of acceptance and embracing differences. Good for preschool through middle elementary.
https://amzn.to/4xePgBi
Many different school related worries:
The Invisible String Backpack by Patrice Karst
This book is to help talk about various worries kids have when going to school. It tells the story of a young girl going to school for the first time and being worried about being away from her parents. Her mom reassures her by reminding her of the 'invisible string’ that connects her and all the people she loves. This concept is explained further by one of the author’s original books. In this book, the girl then starts to have lots of other worries, and her brother explains that she also has an invisible back pack. In the backpack are all sorts of invisible tools that can help her with worries like being nervous to talk in front of class, kids being mean, and more. The book encourages the reader to think about the different tools they carry in their invisible backpack that help them feel confident throughout the day. This book would be good for starting a conversation about what a child is worried about and reminding them that they can handle it. Best for early elementary school aged kids. Could also be a book to talk about coping tools kids have in the hospital or other environments. An adult could even follow it as an activity where the kids decorate backpacks and then create imaginary tools to go inside.
https://amzn.to/4cMuUXN
Being away from your parents or loved ones:
A Special Love by Laura Camerona
This book is written as a way for an adult and a child to feel connected. They can work on the book together, both filling in the blanks and adding illustrations. The book uses text about similarities, differences, traditions, and ways to feel connected when you aren’t together. This book was created for a variety of separations such as deployment, moving/distance, incarceration, hospitalization, anticipated death, or being away from each other at school or daycare. Also available as a digital template that families can fill out, upload pictures to, and then print out. https://amzn.to/4g5lRDA
Returning to school after being diagnosed with cancer:
Taking Cancer to School by Cynthia Henry
This book is written from the perspective of a school aged boy who has recently been diagnosed with cancer, specifically ALL. It is written with just the right amount of information for an elementary school class including a relatable description of cells, chemo/radiation, hair loss, different kinds of cancer and treatment, and hospital teams. I think this book could be helpful for kids who are returning to school after a cancer diagnosis. It would be best to have a school nurse, child life specialist, or parent accompany the newly diagnosed child and book so they can answer questions and clarify some of the differences. The boy is this book has ALL, so if the treatments or diagnosis is drastically different then this might not be the right cancer book for you. Good for school aged kids. https://amzn.to/4bZsnJC
There are several other books in the “special kids in school” series. I have not read them all. I did find this book well-written, so I am hopeful the rest would be as well. I will try to share more of them in the future.
As always I do make a small commission on sales through these thinks. If you appreciate the blog and find it helpful, it is one way you can support Words Worth Repeating. I also highly recommend your local library or your local bookstore!
