This factual picture book explores worries in child-friendly language. Describing how worries make us feel, it touches upon potentially worrying scenarios such as moving house/school, seeing something disturbing on the TV/internet, bullying, serious illness in the family, exams and fear of spiders. Children are encouraged to notice when others are worried, too, and help them by talking it through. A glossary and further information links are provided, as well as instructions on how to make a ‘worry toolbox’. Pleasantly illustrated by Clare Elsom, this little book would be an ideal springboard for a conversation with young children about anxiety.
Worried (Dealing with Feeling…)

Author: Isabel Thomas
Illustrator: Clare Elsom
Publisher: Raintree
The messages we found in this book:
Acknowledgement:
- Worries are unpleasant. It can be difficult to stop thinking about ‘strong worries’. They can give you butterflies in your tummy or make you feel grumpy.
- It’s tempting to hide worries, but this can often make things worse.
- A change in your life can leave you feeling anxious.
Guidance:
- Occasional worries are part of life and everyone has them.
- Distraction may help to lessen anxious feelings (activity examples are given in the book)
- It’s good to talk to a trusted grown up if you’re worried about something.
- If it’s difficult to put a worry into words, you could try drawing it instead and showing it to an adult that you trust.
Hope & Inspiration:
- The book encourages children to help others by listening to their worries.