Helping kids deal with big feelings
Today’s preschoolers and elementary school-aged children have lived a good portion of their young lives under the shadow of a worldwide pandemic and now, if they are in British Columbia or many other places in the world, wildfires that may be threatening their homes.
Talking, no matter what the age, helps people identify and then deal with feelings around stressful situations in their lives. Books can be an excellent resource for starting conversations and easing anxiety. Some good keywords to use in a library or bookstore search include:
community helpers
emotions
anxiety
I took a quick look in our library catalogues for some titles that might help. Here are just a few.
Books for kids dealing with anxiety:
A Terrible Thing Happened
by Margaret M. Holmes and Sasha J. Mudlaff
David and the worry beast : helping children cope with anxiety
Anne Marie Guanci ; illustrations by Caroline Attia
The worry (less) book : feel strong, find calm, and tame your anxiety!
Rachel Brian
All birds have anxiety
by Kathy Hoopmann
I will be okay!
by Laurie Wright ; Illustrations by Ana Santos
What to do when you worry too much : a kid’s guide to overcoming anxiety
by Dawn Huebner ; illustrated by Bonnie Matthews
I am a peaceful goldfish
by Shoshana Chaim + Lori Joy Smith
How big are your worries little bear? : a book to help children manage and overcome anxiety, anxious thoughts, stress and fearful situations
by Jayneen Sanders ; illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman
A feel better book for little worriers
by Holly Brochmann and Leah Bowen ; illustrated by Shirley Ng-Benitez
This is not a complete or exhaustive list. These are just ones I found when I did a quick search of our library system. There are many other excellent resources as well.
If you or your family are experiencing anxiety about events going on around you, whatever and wherever you are, spend some time in your local library or bookstore and ask staff for help finding the books you need.
Vesta Giles is a Kamloops-based author and filmmaker.
she runs with pens 
It’s really fantastic and inspiring and motivating
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Thank you!
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