At Magination Press Family, you’ll find a wealth of books to help you communicate with children and teenagers about issues of anxiety and stress. Explore the collection below for helpful titles that offer practical, kid-friendly coping strategies to manage anxiety.
1-2-3 A Calmer Me: Helping Children Cope When Emotions Get Out of Control
It's okay to feel mad. This is what I do to help me feel better. I stop and say a rhyme. Let's try it together. 1-2-3 A Calmer Me introduces children to a simple rhyme they can use to slow down their bodies and stop mad feelings from spinning out of control. Includes a "Note to Parents, Teachers, and Other Grown-Ups" with more information about the steps of the "1-2-3" rhyme, and advice for working through the steps with your child. (picture book, ages 4-8)
Being Me: A Kid’s Guide to Boosting Confidence and Self-Esteem
Do you like being you? Do you have confidence in yourself? Do you believe that there are kids who can like you for who you are and want to hang out with you? If you answered NO to any of these questions, how about turning those NOs into know-how? Being Me is loaded with tips and advice for taking on everyday challenges and for building up your confidence and self-esteem. Come on! Take a peek inside and find lots of ways to explore your strengths and feel more confident in school, with your friends…with everything! (ages 8-13)
Blossom Plays Possum: Because She’s Shy
Ask me my name? Want me to play? Call on me in class? I say nothing and hope no one will see me. I call that playing possum. It's my way of being shy. Blossom wants to speak up in class, and she wants to spend time with friends at lunch and at recess. But whenever she tries, she freezes up and plays possum instead! Can Blossom get past her shyness and have fun? Includes a Note to Parents and Other Caregivers by Julia Martin Burch, PhD, with more information on the cognitive-behavioral strategies Blossom uses to cope with shyness and ways to encourage your own shy child. (picture book, ages 4-8)
Don’t Put Yourself Down in Circus Town: A Story About Self-Confidence
Welcome to Circus Town, where it's okay to bumble, stumble, and fumble. But no put downs! Give yourself a break! Everyone makes mistakes! Join Ringmaster Rick, Larry the Lion Tamer, Polka Dot Patti, and world-famous trapeze artists Juan and Juanita as they practice more, ask for help, think helpful thoughts, and bounce back from mistakes and mishaps to feel more confident! Includes a Note to Parents and Other Caregivers with more information and strategies for fostering self-confidence in children and helping them develop positive feelings and beliefs about themselves. (picture book, ages 4-8)
Emily Grace and the What-Ifs: A Story for Children About Nighttime Fears
What if a big rhinoceros charges out through my closet door and pulls all my covers off and I get cold and catch pneumonia? What if I wake up tomorrow and I am a princess far, far away from home, all by myself? Emily Grace faces her fears and calms herself…and eventually thinks, "What if I close my eyes now and go to sleep?" Includes a Note to Parents and Caregivers with more information and strategies for coping with bedtime struggles. (picture book, ages 4-8)
Emotions! Making Sense of Your Feelings
What is the point of guilt? Or anxiety? Or hope? Just what are these emotions trying to tell you? Everything! Emotions are a powerful and extraordinary part of being human. Your emotions serve as an instant cueing system to inform you about situations and motivate you to take actions. Anxiety can sharpen your focus and direct your attentions.Pride can lead you to take on something new and challenging.Guilt can motivate you to correct situations that interfere with your relationships. All of your emotions are valuable — they inform you, affect the decisions you make, and can motivate you to reach your goals. Emotions! Making Sense of Your Feelings will help you gain powerful insight into a significant part of who you are. While your emotional life may feel tumultuous, your emotions are priceless. It's time to figure out just what your emotions are telling you! (ages 15-18)
A Feel Better Book for Little Worriers
Worries can feel like a BIG problem to a LITTLE kid! A Feel Better Book for Little Worriers assures kids that having some worries is normal — everyone has them, even adults! The rhyming narration helps kids to identify a worry and where it might come from, as well as provides them with helpful tools to reduce and cope with worries. Includes a Note to Parents and Caregivers with more information on how you can help your little worrier to stay calm. (picture book, ages 3-6)
Feeling Better: A Kid’s Book About Therapy
As life gets more complicated, it's not unusual for children to feel angry, lonely, upset, and sad. In their confusion, some kids may withdraw socially, perform less well in school, care less about their appearance, lose interest in the activities they once enjoyed, develop eating problems, sleep too much or not enough, express anger inappropriately — any number of changes that signal the need for some extra help. When these feelings become too strong or last too long, one of the things that can help is therapy. Feeling Better is an information packed chronicle that will reassure children who are entering therapy by answering their concerns about what's normal and what to expect. (picture book, ages 8-14)
How to Feel Good: 20 Things Teens Can Do
Being a teenager can be tough. It can be really hard sometimes to feel good about yourself and your abilities. New relationships and experiences are happening all around you, and that can make you insecure, overwhelmed, or stressed out. How to Feel Good will help you slow down and pay attention to how you feel and what you think about yourself. This book presents 20 simple, mind-healthy skills to guide you toward self-awareness and to teach you to stay calm and self-confident. You will also find additional strategies, self-reflection questions, and easy-to-do tools to help end frustration and develop patience so that you can achieve your goals. Are you ready? Do 1 or learn all 20 skills and take charge of you. You are just a step away from feeling more confident, secure, and GREAT! (ages 13-18)
How to Find Mental Health Care for Your Child
In How to Find Mental Health Care for Your Child, seasoned child psychologist and author Ellen B. Braaten offers clear and expert guidance to help anxious parents navigate the complexities of mental health care. Divided into three thorough and well-organized parts, the book first provides an overview of the issues involved in diagnosing and treating children. It then gives detailed information on the most common childhood disorders and addresses key symptoms, possible causes, and treatment options. In the final chapters, Dr. Braaten discusses the primary treatment approaches in more depth, such as their typical course, what disorders they are used to treat, and how to determine their effectiveness. Parents seeking the best mental health care for their child will learn what other parents did in real situations when confronted with similar problems and will be reassured, supported, and empowered throughout their journey.
Jacqueline and the Beanstalk: A Tale of Facing Giant Fears
Once upon a time, there lived a princess named Jacqueline. The royal knights protected her from danger — even if there wasn't any! When Jacqueline climbs the beanstalk, she meets a giant who is just as afraid of the knights. In this modern retelling of a classic fairy tale, Jacqueline shows everyone that there's nothing to be afraid of after all. Includes a Note to Parents and Caregivers with worry-busting strategies and calming tools. (picture book, ages 4-8)
The Magic Box: When Parents Can’t Be There to Tuck You In
Casey's dad has to go away for a couple of days...AGAIN! Casey hates it when his father has to travel. But this time Dad leaves behind a special gift that will help Casey cope with the absence, and with future trips as well. This upbeat and charmingly illustrated book contains a wealth of tips for families in which a parent is often away from home. A Note to Parents by Ann Rasmussen, PsyD, helps parents understand what their children are facing, reassures parents of the value of these separations, and suggests many practical techniques for helping the child before, during, and after an absence. (picture book, ages 3-7)
Max Archer, Kid Detective: The Case of the Recurring Stomachaches
Meet Max. Max Archer, Kid Detective. Max helps kids solve problems. Max's friend Emily has stomachaches. A lot of them! So, Max and Emily investigate the big three causes of stomachaches — lactose intolerance, constipation, and stress — and determine what causes Emily's stomach to hurt. Without even realizing it, Emily has been under stress, so much that her tummy feels it! Using kid-friendly stress-busting strategies, Emily learns how to get back on track and feel better. Come on! You too can join Max and learn to bust your stress and get rid of your stomachaches. Be sure to check out the extra fun activities at the end of the book, and show your parents the Q&A written just for them. (picture book, ages 6-10)
Mind Over Basketball: Coach Yourself to Handle Stress
Tuck is stressed out. His parents are divorced, he misses his father, and he has moved to a new house and school. When he decides to try out for the basketball team, the neighborhood boys won't let him use "their" court to practice. With so many problems, Tuck is having a hard time feeling confident and dealing with his upsets. Then Walton shows up. Taking on the role of coach, Walton teaches Tuck not only how to play better basketball but also how to manage his anxiety and self-doubt. Soon Tuck is feeling in control of his life and focusing his energy on what he loves most…basketball! Using a positive, interactive, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction approach, this book combines a high-interest chapter book and informative coaching guides with skills-training exercises for readers ages 8 to 14. (picture book, ages 8-14)
Mom, Dad Come Back Soon
When Tyler's mom and dad go away for a few days, he gets to stay at his best friend Cindy's house. Tyler and Cindy play all their favorite games together, and Tyler likes the sailboat in Cindy's bathtub and the hot cocoa before bedtime. But sometimes he misses his own home and his own parents. With a little help from everyone, he finds ways to get through his "missing" feelings. And by the time Mom and Dad return, he is feeling all the pride and joy that can come with this new growing-up experience. Mom, Dad, Come Back Soon contains an extensive afterword by psychologist Jane Annunziata that helps parents understand what their children are facing and suggests many practical coping techniques for use before, during, and after brief separations. (picture book, ages 3-7)
Move Your Mood
Feeling blah? Here's what to do. Move your body and your mood moves too! Move Your Mood! invites kids and adults to twist, wiggle, shake, hop…and smile! Reading this book with your child is an active and fun way to teach your child about emotions, and introduce the idea that moving our bodies affects the way we feel inside. Ready to start feeling better? Move and groove your way into a better mood! Includes a Note to Parents, Caregivers, and Teachers with suggestions for how to use the book with your child, and additional ideas for teaching your child about emotions. (picture book, ages 4-8)
My Anxious Mind: A Teen’s Guide to Managing Anxiety and Panic
Can you spare 30 minutes to feel less anxious? Go ahead. Think about how your life would be different if you were less anxious. What would change? Would you try out for the basketball team? Ask someone out on a date? Would you sleep better and feel less tense? Would you feel calmer and happier? My Anxious Mind outlines a simple and proven plan to help you understand and deal with your anxiety and panic. It is chock full of simple-to-use tools and strategies that easily fit into any teen's busy routine. (ages 12-18)
School Made Easier: A Kid’s Guide to Study Strategies and Anxiety-Busting Tools
Do you ever get nervous before a big test? Do you get butterflies in your stomach before giving a presentation? Do you ever lose track of papers? Do you cram to finish long-term assignments at the last minute? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, this book is for you! School Made Easier will show you how to: Understand your academic stressUse "mind games" to feel less stressed and more confidentProblem-solve to cope with stressful situationsOrganize your papers and filesUse executive functioning skills to make homework and studying easierManage your time wiselyStudy more effectivelyStay calm and cool on test day And much more! Take a look inside, and start reducing your anxiety and increasing your confidence in school. Believe it or not, school can be less stressful — and even fun! (ages 8-13)
Some Bunny to Talk To: A Story About Going to Therapy
Little Bunny has a problem and he doesn't know how to solve it. Sometimes things in a little bunny's life can feel so hard. So Big Bunny has an idea. "I have an idea. I'd like you to talk to Some Bunny. Some Bunny is a therapist." Some Bunny To Talk To presents therapy in a way that is simple, direct, and easy for young children to understand. Children will hear about what to expect from therapy and how therapists are very good at helping kids to solve problems. They will learn about the ins and outs of therapy and that therapy can be a positive and helpful experience! Included is a Note to Parents and Caregivers that outlines how best to support children in therapy and what to do to pave the way for a positive therapy experience. (picture book, ages 4-8)
Someone To Talk To: Getting Good at Feeling Better
Therapy can be intimidating for anyone, and even more so for children. Someone To Talk To is a straightforward and interactive guide to help children through the therapy process. It is an invaluable therapy accompaniment that covers what to expect, how to prepare, and tips for wrapping up. The pages are full of helpful activities to use before, after, and in conjunction with therapy, as well as useful everyday tools and coping strategies. Also included are separate introductions for parents and caregivers and for children, with more information about therapy, and how and why to use this book and its activities. Authors Paola Conte, PhD, Cheryl Sterling, PhD, and Larissa Labay, PsyD, are pediatric psychologists in private practice who specialize in providing cognitive–behavioral therapy to children, adolescents, and adults. (picture book, ages 6-11)
Sometimes I’m Scared
Fire! Spiders! Thunder! Clowns! Monsters! Kids can be afraid of lots of things It's normal. But these fears can seem really big! Well, have no fear; Sometimes I'm Scared is here. This book outlines easy steps kids can use to overcome their everyday fears. An extensive Note to Parents gives parents additional information on why fears naturally develop and how to help their kids understand and deal with common fears. (picture book, ages 4-8)
The Tallest Bridge in the World: A Story for Children About Social Anxiety
Are they staring at me because I look silly? What if I mess up in my presentation — will everyone laugh at me? What if I fail at swim tryouts? I'll be so embarrassed! Thomas has always been a bit shy, but recently his nervousness has been getting in the way of the things he would like to do. He realizes it may be time to talk to someone. With the help of his parents and a therapist, Thomas learns how social anxiety affects his brain, and everyday tools and strategies to cope with and combat it. Includes a Dear Reader and a Note to Parents with more information on social anxiety in preteens, and the cognitive-behavioral strategies you can use to cope with it. (picture book, ages 8-12)
Ten Turtles on Tuesday
Meet Sarah. Sarah feels compelled to count. She has obsessive–compulsive disorder, or OCD for short. But with the help of her family and her therapist, Sarah learns how to handle her fears and take charge of her OCD. A Note to Readers by Michael Tompkins, PhD, offers readers kid-friendly information, advice, and proven strategies to turn OCD on its head.
What to Do When Mistakes Make You Quake: A Kid’s Guide to Accepting Imperfection
Explorers investigate places they have never been before. These explorers might take a while to make their discoveries. They might have trouble understanding their maps. They might make wrong turns. They might need to start their expedition all over again! If explorers could not accept their mistakes and keep going, they might never make any discoveries! Does this sound like you? If you have trouble accepting mistakes, if you try to be right all the time, or if you worry about being less than the best, this book is for you! What to Do When Mistakes Make You Quake guides children and their parents through the emotions underlying a fear of making mistakes using strategies and techniques based on cognitive-behavioral principles. This interactive self-help book is the complete resource for educating, motivating, and empowering children to cope with mistakes — so they can explore new territory without fear! This book is part of the Magination Press What-to-Do Guides for Kids® series. (picture book, ages 8-12)
What to Do When You Don’t Want to Be Apart: A Kid’s Guide to Overcoming Separation Anxiety
Hot air balloon pilots have wonderful adventures, where they get to see things they have never seen before and learn all about the world outside. Flying a hot air balloon sounds like a lot of fun to some kids. But for other kids, the idea of flying off on their own, away from their parents or homes, doesn't sound like fun at all. If you feel scared when you do something alone or away from your parents, this book is for you! What to Do When You Don't Want to Be Apart guides children and their parents through the emotions underlying separation anxiety using strategies and techniques based on cognitive-behavioral principles. This interactive self-help book is the complete resource for educating, motivating, and empowering children to overcome separation anxiety — so they can become the confident pilots of their very own hot air balloons! This book is part of the Magination Press What-to-Do Guides for Kids® series. (picture book, ages 6-10)
What to Do When You Feel Too Shy: A Kid’s Guide to Overcoming Social Anxiety
Circus clowns perform tricks and make us laugh. They wear bright colors, big shoes, and all kinds of wigs and colorful hats. Have you noticed that they seem to like people looking at them and laughing at them? Lots of kids feel shy when they feel that other people notice them. But some kids get super uncomfortable being in the spotlight. Does this sound like you? If you feel too shy or nervous too often, or if you miss out on cool activities and fun because you worry about what other people might think about you, this book is for you! What to Do When You Feel Too Shy guides children and their parents through the emotions underlying social anxiety using strategies and techniques based on cognitive-behavioral principles. This interactive self-help book is the complete resource for educating, motivating, and empowering children to overcome social anxiety — so they can join in the circus of fun and friends! This book is part of the Magination Press What-to-Do Guides for Kids® series. (picture book, ages 6-12)
What to Do When You Worry Too Much: A Kid’s Guide to Overcoming Anxiety
What to Do When You Worry Too Much is an interactive self-help book designed to guide 6–12 year olds and their parents through the cognitive-behavioral techniques most often used in the treatment of generalized anxiety. Metaphors and humorous illustrations make difficult concepts easy to understand, while prompts to draw and write help children to master new skills related to reducing anxiety. Engaging, encouraging, and easy to follow, this book educates, motivates, and empowers children to work towards change. Includes a note to parents by psychologist and author Dawn Huebner, PhD. This book is part of the Magination Press What-to-Do Guides for Kids® series. (picture book, ages 6-12)
When Fuzzy Was Afraid of Big and Loud Things
Fuzzy the Little Sheep is back again, in this charming third addition to the series about dealing with common fears. In this tale, Fuzzy is afraid of loud sounds such as thunder and lightning, and the large animals on the farm making big noises! Fuzzy's father helps him desensitize to these big and loud noises using a number of behavioral practices. Each time Fuzzy is afraid, his father gently encourages and reassures him, helping him imaginatively practice exposure to the loud sounds so he can get used to them, and also acquainting Fuzzy with the sources of his fears so they seem less frightening. (picture book, ages 3-7)
When Fuzzy Was Afraid of Losing His Mother
While Fuzzy the Little Sheep is out playing with his friends, he falls and skins his knee. He searches for his mother, can't find her, and feels scared and alone. Fuzzy soon finds his mom, but then he is afraid to let her out of his sight. Fuzzy's mother has several ideas to help him cope with being away from her, which he practices, and eventually he is able to play comfortably with his friends and not be near her. (picture book, ages 3-7)
When Lizzy Was Afraid of Trying New Things
Lizzy the Sheep is shy and afraid of failing or making mistakes, so she refuses to play and try new things. Her big brother Fuzzy devises a plan whereby she gets to add a new stone to a rock pile every time she tries something new. She starts out small, but eventually tries more and more things as she gets excited by the growing rock pile and realizes how much fun she is having in her play. (picture book, ages 3-7)