Looking for the perfect picture book to help kids manage stress and anxiety?

Elementary school is a critical time for developing emotional skills, and picture books are a wonderful way to support children’s understanding of their feelings. They bring complex emotions to life and help young readers recognize healthy ways to manage worry and stress.

As a 3rd grade teacher, I know how important it is to find resources that make concepts like calming strategies and self-care relatable for kids. These picture books are great tools to help children navigate stress and anxiety, whether they’re encountering these feelings for the first time or need a reminder on how to handle big emotions.

The List of Picture Books to Manage Stress and Anxiety

Ruby Finds A Worry

Ruby Finds a Worry is a wonderful story that shows kids it’s normal to feel worried and that talking about our worries can help. Ruby, a joyful girl, finds herself with a worry that grows bigger and bigger until she learns the power of sharing it with a friend.

This book is a great way to help kids recognize and name their own worries. The gentle message reminds them they’re not alone in feeling anxious, and that opening up to someone can make their worries feel smaller and more manageable.

Suggested Use in a Social-Emotional Lesson:
If using for a social-emotional lesson, have students draw their own “worry creature” and discuss times when they’ve felt worried. Encourage them to share ways they can make their worry smaller, just like Ruby did, creating a supportive environment where they learn to help each other.

Check it out HERE.

The Boy with Big, Big Feelings

The Boy with Big, Big Feelings is a heartwarming story that helps kids understand and embrace their emotions. The boy in the story feels everything strongly—his happiness is huge, and so is his sadness, worry, and anger. At first, he feels like he has to hide his big feelings, but he learns that opening up and sharing his emotions is a healthy way to connect with others.

Reading this book aloud helps show kids that it’s okay to have big feelings and that everyone experiences emotions differently. The gentle message encourages empathy and self-acceptance, reminding kids that expressing their feelings is a part of who they are.

Suggested Use in a Social-Emotional Lesson:
Not sure how to use in a lesson? Ask students to think about a time they felt a “big” emotion, like excitement or frustration, and discuss how they expressed it. Have each student draw or write about their “biggest feeling” and share it with the class, just like the boy did. This activity helps students realize they’re not alone in their feelings and builds a classroom culture of understanding and support.

Check it out HERE.

The Invisible String

The Invisible String is a beautiful story that teaches children about the unbreakable connections we have with loved ones, even when we’re apart. The story introduces an “invisible string” that connects us to anyone we care about, making it easier for kids to understand that love and friendship keep us connected, no matter where we are.

Reading this book aloud is great way to help kids feel safe and comforted, especially during times of separation or change. It reassures them that love is always there, whether they’re at school, away from family, or feeling lonely, strengthening their sense of connection and security.

Suggested Use in a Social-Emotional Lesson:
For a social-emotional lesson, ask students to think of someone they’re connected to by an “invisible string” and draw a picture of that person. Then, have each student share who they picked and why. You can even create a classroom “invisible string” wall where students can connect their pictures with string to symbolize the bonds that make your classroom community strong and supportive.

Check it out HERE.

Wemberly Worried

Wemberly Worried is a delightful story about a little mouse named Wemberly who worries about everything—big and small! From wondering if the crack in her wall will get bigger to being nervous about her first day of school, Wemberly is constantly anxious. But when she meets a new friend who also has worries, she learns that she’s not alone and that facing new experiences can be a little easier with support.

This book is perfect for helping kids understand that worrying is a normal feeling and that sometimes, sharing worries with a friend can make them feel lighter. It’s also a gentle reminder that new situations can turn out to be fun, especially when we connect with others.

Suggested Use in a Social-Emotional Lesson:
If you use this book for a social-emotional lesson, have students think of a time they felt worried, just like Wemberly. Then, invite them to draw or write about it. Pair students up to share their stories, encouraging them to listen and support each other as Wemberly and her new friend did. This activity helps students practice empathy and see that they aren’t alone in their worries, building a stronger, more understanding classroom community.

Check it out HERE.

Need A Resource on Kindness?

I have the perfect resource to complement your stress and anxiety read-alouds—a collaborative kindness coloring poster! After exploring stories about handling stress and anxiety, students can work together on this poster to reinforce how acts of kindness build a supportive community. As they each contribute their piece, they’ll see how their individual efforts create a unified, positive outcome. This activity brings the concepts of empathy and connection to life, offering a hands-on way for students to express kindness and support one another.

• Check it out HERE

I hope this list of picture books brings a sense of calm and reassurance to your classroom. Teaching kids how to manage stress and anxiety can be challenging, but with these engaging stories, we can make these important skills stick in a fun and memorable way.

If you have any favorite books or activities for helping kids navigate big emotions, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments! Let’s keep supporting each other as we help our students grow into resilient, confident individuals. We’ve got this!

Don’t forget to check out my blog post on how to bring gratitude into the classroom using picture books HERE!

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