10+ Best Worry Books for 10-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Hey there! If you're on the hunt for the perfect Worry Books for 10-Year-Olds to help your child navigate their feelings, you've come to the right place! We know how important it is to address these emotions effectively, and that's why we've curated a selection of books designed just for them. Keep reading to explore our various lists of Worry Books for 10-Year-Olds that promise to offer comfort and guidance.

Fun Worry Books for 10-Year-Olds

• What to Do When You Worry Too Much: A Kid's Guide to Overcoming Anxiety by Dawn Huebner, illustrated by Bonnie Matthews
  • Genre(s): Self-help, Children's Nonfiction
  • Synopsis: This interactive self-help book is designed to guide children and their parents through the cognitive-behavioral techniques used to treat generalized anxiety. With engaging activities, it helps children understand what worries are and how to handle them.
  • Why we recommend this book: It breaks down complex feelings into manageable parts, making it easier for kids to understand and manage their anxieties.
  • Perfect for: Children who experience anxiety and their parents looking for practical tools to help manage it.

• Ruby Finds a Worry by Tom Percival
  • Genre(s): Picture book, Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: Ruby, a young girl, discovers a worry that grows bigger and bigger every day. She learns that the only way to make a worry disappear is to talk about it.
  • Why we recommend this book: This story offers a simple yet profound way to deal with worries, emphasizing the importance of sharing feelings.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who need reassurance about their fears and feelings.

• The Huge Bag of Worries by Virginia Ironside, illustrated by Frank Rodgers
  • Genre(s): Picture book, Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: Jenny carries around a huge bag of worries that she finds too heavy to bear alone. With the help of her grandmother, she learns how to lighten her load.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches kids that sharing worries with others can make them easier to handle, promoting open communication about feelings.
  • Perfect for: Children who tend to keep their worries to themselves and could benefit from learning how to share their thoughts.

• Don't Feed the WorryBug by Andi Green
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: Wince, one of the WorryWoos, struggles with worry that grows until it's unbearable. He learns how to keep his worries under control by not feeding them with more anxious thoughts.
  • Why we recommend this book: It creatively visualizes how worries can grow if fueled by our attention, teaching kids to focus on positive thoughts.
  • Perfect for: Kids who often find themselves overwhelmed by their worries and fears.

• Wilma Jean the Worry Machine by Julia Cook, illustrated by Anita DuFalla
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: Wilma Jean worries about everything from school to friends. With the help of her teacher, she finds strategies to manage her anxiety.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides practical strategies embedded in a fun story, helping children understand and manage anxiety.
  • Perfect for: School-aged children who face anxiety about school and daily activities.

Educational Worry Books for 10-Year-Olds

• David and the Worry Beast by Anne Marie Guanci, illustrated by Caroline Attia
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: David encounters the Worry Beast, who helps him understand and confront his fears and anxieties.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional regulation, understanding anxiety, coping strategies
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps children visualize their worries as external issues that can be managed and controlled.
  • Perfect for: Children who need to learn how to confront and control their anxieties.

• Silly Billy by Anthony Browne
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: Billy worries about many things, until his grandmother gives him worry dolls that help him manage his fears.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional understanding, cultural appreciation, creativity
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces the concept of worry dolls in a touching story, offering a creative way for kids to handle their fears.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy culturally rich stories and need a creative outlet for their worries.

• When My Worries Get Too Big! A Relaxation Book for Children Who Live with Anxiety by Kari Dunn Buron
  • Genre(s): Self-help, Children's Nonfiction
  • Synopsis: This book provides children with strategies to manage anxiety through self-calming techniques and relaxation.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Self-calming techniques, anxiety management, self-awareness
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers practical tools and techniques for children to manage anxiety effectively.
  • Perfect for: Kids who experience high levels of anxiety and need methods to help calm themselves in stressful situations.

• Is a Worry Worrying You? by Ferida Wolff and Harriet May Savitz, illustrated by Marie LeTourneau
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: This book addresses common worries children might have and offers whimsical ways to deal with them.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, creativity, emotional resilience
  • Why we recommend this book: It uses humor and imaginative scenarios to help kids deal with worries in a light-hearted way.
  • Perfect for: Children who need a fun and creative approach to managing everyday fears and anxieties.

• Scaredies Away! A Kid's Guide to Overcoming Worry and Anxiety (made simple) by Stacy Fiorile and Barry McDonagh
  • Genre(s): Self-help, Children's Nonfiction
  • Synopsis: This book offers a simple, effective technique called the "Magic Finger Countdown" to help kids manage their anxiety.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Anxiety management, self-confidence, coping skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a straightforward, kid-friendly method to tackle anxiety, empowering children to feel more in control.
  • Perfect for: Kids looking for an easy-to-understand and implement technique to reduce their worries.

Challenging Worry Books for 10-Year-Olds

• The Worry (Less) Book by Rachel Brian
  • Genre(s): Self-help, Children's Nonfiction
  • Synopsis: This book offers a humorous and insightful look into the nature of worry and provides practical advice for managing anxiety.
  • Why this book is challenging: It tackles complex psychological concepts in an accessible way, encouraging deeper thinking about emotions and mental health.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines humor with effective strategies, making the process of understanding and managing worries engaging and relatable.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy humor and need practical tips for handling everyday anxieties.

• The Whatifs by Emily Kilgore, illustrated by Zoe Persico
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: Cora constantly worries about the "Whatifs," especially before a big piano recital, until she learns to confront her fears with the help of her friend.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces the concept of anxiety through imaginative "Whatif" creatures, challenging young readers to think about their fears in abstract ways.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a creative and visually engaging story that helps children understand and articulate their fears.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who respond well to imaginative storytelling and visual learning.

• Outsmarting Worry by Dawn Huebner
  • Genre(s): Self-help, Children's Nonfiction
  • Synopsis: This book teaches older children and preteens specific techniques to reduce and manage anxiety.
  • Why this book is challenging: It requires readers to engage in self-reflection and apply cognitive behavioral techniques, which are typically advanced concepts.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides age-appropriate strategies that empower kids to deal with anxiety effectively.
  • Perfect for: Preteens who are ready to take a more active role in managing their anxiety with sophisticated tools.

• The WorryWoo Monsters: The Lonely Little Monster by Andi Green
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: Nola, the monster of loneliness, embarks on a journey to find acceptance and learn how to express her feelings of solitude.
  • Why this book is challenging: It personifies complex emotions as characters, which requires children to interpret and understand metaphorical storytelling.
  • Why we recommend this book: It addresses the difficult emotions of loneliness and isolation in a way that is accessible and comforting to children.
  • Perfect for: Children who feel isolated or different and can benefit from seeing their feelings represented in a compassionate tale.

• Mustaches for Maddie by Chad Morris and Shelly Brown
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Realistic Fiction
  • Synopsis: Based on a true story, Maddie uses humor and imagination to face a brain tumor, turning her fears into a source of strength.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with serious medical issues and emotional resilience, providing a realistic portrayal that can provoke deep empathy and understanding.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s an inspiring story that demonstrates how humor and creativity can be powerful tools in dealing with life’s challenges.
  • Perfect for: Kids facing serious health challenges or those interested in stories of courage and resilience.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to help your 10-year-old develop great reading habits while exploring worry books, you've come to the right place. Worry books can be a wonderful resource to help kids manage anxiety and understand their feelings better. Here are some fun and effective exercises that can enhance their reading experience and make the most out of these helpful books.

• Set Reading Goals
  • What it is: Decide on a number of pages or chapters to read each day.
  • How it helps: Encourages consistency and commitment to reading regularly.
  • Tips: Choose realistic goals that can be adjusted as needed to keep it fun and achievable.

• Discuss What You Read
  • What it is: Talk about the book's themes, characters, and events with someone else.
  • How it helps: Enhances understanding and retention of the material.
  • Tips: Try discussing the book over a family dinner or create a small book club with friends.

• Create a Reading Nook
  • What it is: Set up a comfortable and quiet space dedicated to reading.
  • How it helps: Makes reading a special and enjoyable activity.
  • Tips: Let your child personalize the space with cushions, posters, or their favorite toys.

• Use a Reading Timer
  • What it is: Use a timer to set specific periods for reading without interruptions.
  • How it helps: Helps build focus and discipline in reading sessions.
  • Tips: Start with short periods of about 10-15 minutes and increase gradually as your child gets more comfortable.

• Illustrate the Story
  • What it is: Draw scenes or characters from the book.
  • How it helps: Encourages deeper engagement with the story and stimulates creativity.
  • Tips: Provide colored pencils, markers, and paper to make this activity more exciting.

• Ask Questions Before Reading
  • What it is: Pose questions about what might happen in the book before starting each reading session.
  • How it helps: Activates curiosity and prepares the mind to engage with new information.
  • Tips: Keep the questions light and fun to spark interest.

• Summarize Each Chapter
  • What it is: Write a brief summary of each chapter after reading it.
  • How it helps: Improves comprehension and memory of the story.
  • Tips: Encourage the use of bullet points or diagrams for quick and easy summaries.

So there you have it—some simple yet effective exercises to pair with worry books for your young reader. These activities not only enhance the reading experience but also promote a deeper understanding of the content and its application to everyday life. Happy reading!