Whether they’re starting for the first time or heading back for another year, school can leave some kids with fluttery tummies and pounding hearts like Archie has in Go Away, Worry Monster!
That’s why we’ve put together a School Anxiety Reading Guide full of engaging stories from our children’s book imprint EK Books, and expert guides from our non-fiction range.
The following list of books written by teachers, parents, and psychologists, will help ease school related anxiety, build emotional resilience, and open up conversations around bullying and embracing differences.
Showing 1–20 of 22 resultsSorted by latest
Nova’s Missing Masterpiece
USD $19.99 Tax IncludedWhen Nova realizes the artwork she created for Dad’s birthday present is missing, her tummy flip flops and her heart ker-thumps. She and her dog, Harley, turn the house upside down, searching absolutely everywhere, but the missing masterpiece is nowhere to be found. Nova loses her temper but Harley remains calm and content. Can Nova learn from her dog, calm herself down and find her Dad’s present in time for his birthday party?
SPECIFICATIONS: 245mm x 255mm | Hardback | 32 Pages | Full Colour | EK Books
Two Rabbits
USD $19.99 Tax IncludedEven best friends argue sometimes …
In Two Rabbits, Little Brown Rabbit and Little Grey Rabbit have had an argument. As they go their separate ways into the night, the wind whispers around them to remind them of their sharp words. Will they be able to come back together and find a way to save their friendship?
The story portrays the physical and emotional journey of two best friends as they experience feelings of anger, sadness and loneliness. Young readers will learn that friendship can overcome differences and disagreements.
SPECIFICATIONS: 215mm x 288mm | Hardback | 32 Pages | Full Colour | EK Books
Awards:
Shortlisted: 2024 Speech Pathology Australia – Book of the Year Awards
Inside the Dyslexic Mind
USD $24.99 Tax IncludedA resource for parents, teachers and dyslexics themselves
Also available in Audio Book | eBook
In Laughton King’s formulation, a dyslexic person is like a diesel vehicle. They run perfectly if you give them the right fuel, but if you put petrol in the tank (i.e. expect them to learn like every ‘normal’ child in our current education system) they break down. This book is designed to help dyslexic (diesel) thinkers make sense of their lives.
Specifications: Paperback | 229x 152mm | 256 pages
Anchored
USD $19.99 Tax IncludedIn this sensitive tale, Tug and Ship are connected by bonds of love despite being oceans apart. In a world where so many parents are separated from their children for periods of time due to work and/or living arrangements, sometimes the sense of attachment can feel a little vulnerable. Anchored is a reassuring book, reminding children that their attachment with their parents/caregivers can sustain time apart: they are firmly anchored in each other’s hearts.
“A comforting picture book about separation and reunion”
Downloads: Teacher’s Notes | Activity Sheets
Awards:
Shortlisted for The Rubery Book Awards 2023, in the Illustrated Children’s Book category
SPECIFICATIONS: 245mm x 255mm | Hardback | 32 Pages | Full Colour | EK Books
The Anxiety Coach
USD $22.99 Tax IncludedEvery parent’s guide to building resilience in their child
Childhood anxiety is much more prevalent these days, and parents and carers need to be able to help their children to prevent dangerous escalation.
As seen on The Project NZ
With 18 years of expert, qualified experience, the author shows how to help children and tweens build up the necessary brain architecture and perspective, and create the emotional reserves and balance needed throughout life.
SPECIFICATIONS: Paperback| 229 x 152 mm | 240 Pages | B&W Illustrations
Freddy the Not -Teddy
USD $18.99 Tax IncludedFreddy is Jonah’s favourite stuffed toy, but no one knows quite what Freddy is – a funky duck, a peculiar platypus, a punk rock penguin? He’s certainly not a Teddy, but that won’t stop him from being the star of the Teddy Bears’ Picnic in this inspiring story about inclusion, friendship and staying true to yourself.
Click here to view Teacher’s Notes.
WINNER of the Forevablility Book Awards 2022– Highlighting stories that focus on disability, illness, inclusion and own voice stories to empower people living with disabilities or illnesses.
Watch the trailer:
SPECIFICATIONS: 245mm x 255mm | Hardback | 32 Pages | Full Colour | EK Books
Get Ready, Mama!
USD $18.99 Tax IncludedGetting Mama ready for the day can be a challenge… you’d better watch out that she doesn’t sneak back into bed, try to distract you with cuddles, or… wait, is Mama watching TV?! Even the most reluctant risers will find the fun in the morning routine with this playful role-reversal story about a mama who just doesn’t want to get ready!
Click here to view Teacher’s Notes.
Awards
Shortlisted Book of the Year 2023 – Speech Pathology Australia
SPECIFICATIONS: 245mm x 255mm | Hardback | 32 Pages | Full Colour | EK Books
The Secret of Sapling Green
USD $18.99 Tax IncludedAvailable Now!| Order your Copy today
Sapling Green is a gentle, quiet girl with a secret she is scared to show the world. Wynn Farthing is funny and noisy, and the best at climbing high into the branches of the old schoolyard tree. One terrible day, after a storm, the gardener says the tree has to come down. Can Sapling use her secret to save the day?
This beautifully illustrated, heart-warming and relatable story is an important reminder that our differences are our strengths, and we should always accept each other for who we are.
Click here to view Teacher’s Notes.
SPECIFICATIONS: 245mm x 255mm | Hardback | 32 pages | Full Colour | EK Books
What If … ?
USD $18.99 Tax IncludedAvailable now
For Issy, and many more little worriers, ‘what if…’ are two small words that lead to uneasy feelings. But maybe they can be used for something a little more fun…
In this colourful adventure, ‘what ifs’ become springboards for happiness and imagination. Why worry about monsters under the bed when you could wonder what if the clouds were purple and orange and green? Children will delight in this playful exploration of words and their power to change how we feel, turning anxiety into wonder.
A Boy, his Bear and a Bully
USD $18.99 Tax IncludedScott takes his bear, Buttons, to school with him every day to help him feel brave. He has to, because every day, Duncan is mean to him. When Buttons goes missing though, Scott has to look elsewhere to find his brave, and much to his surprise, he does.
A Boy, his Bear and a Bully addresses the global issue of bullying in a hopeful, gentle way. It is an inspiring conversation starter for children, carers, and professionals, providing guidance for anyone who wishes they could be brave.
Check out the trailer!:
SPECIFICATIONS: Hardback | 245 x 255mm / 9.5 x 10in | 32 Pages | Full Colour | EK Books
The Incredibly Busy Mind of Bowen Bartholomew Crisp
USD $18.99 Tax Included
Winner of Speech Pathology Australia’s Book of the Year Award 2022
Pear of Hope
USD $18.99 Tax IncludedWinner in The Forevability Literary Awards 2021 – Open Picture Book Category
Pear of Hope is the story of a little girl with cancer and her tale of recovery. This is intertwined with the growth of a pear tree, which symbolizes the enigmatic concept of hope. Told through sensitive words and gentle, beautiful illustrations, the story will comfort and inspire any children who are struggling to feel positive, whatever journey they may be on. It is a vibrant reminder of the beauty of the world around us and of the fact that, like Anna, with hope you can face any battle!
Upside-Down Friday
USD $18.99 Tax IncludedHugo the monkey doesn’t like Upside-Down Fridays. His routine is the wrong way round, and school is a scary place full of uncertainty. However, with just a small gesture of friendship and understanding from Maddie the giraffe, Hugo begins to feel braver.
Upside-Down Friday reflects how helping others and accepting change can reduce childhood anxiety. With its emotive language and unique ‘upside-down’ illustrations, it is the perfect resource for building emotional resilience in children.
Turning Cartwheels
USD $18.99 Tax IncludedWhen trying to fit in leaves you in a spin
Emma is desperate to join queen bee Carly’s Cartwheel Club. Week after week Emma lines up for a try-out, only to be told that she hasn’t made the cut. When Emma is finally accepted, she finds that Carly’s rules and requirements take all the joy out of cartwheeling, and being part of the gang isn’t as awesome as she expected.
Turning Cartwheels cleverly explores the subtle, underhanded social bullying conducted by so-called ‘frenemies’ that is so often experienced by primary school-aged girls.
Click here to view Teacher’s Notes
Specifications: 9781925820515 | Hardback | 245 x 255mm / 9.5 x 10in | 32 Pages | Full Colour
Go Away, Worry Monster!
USD $18.99 Tax IncludedWorry Monster loves ‘helping’ Archie worry, especially the night before he starts his new school. Archie feels so anxious that his head hurts, his tummy flutters and his heart pounds. He soon realises that the only way to feel better is to make Worry Monster go away. He does his belly breaths and challenges his inner fears by facing facts. Go Away, Worry Monster! gives children useful strategies to cope with their anxieties and stress, showing them how to make their own Worry Monsters leave.
Shortlisted for the Children’s Book Council of Australia Award for New Illustrator of the Year 2021
CBCA Judge’s Critique: ‘rich and textured drawings support the minimal text and create a colourful worry monster; a quirky version of a dragon with a sock on its head…. [The] illustrations are confident and well considered and will help readers relate to this story.’
Download the Teacher’s Notes Here!
Specifications: Hardback | 245 x 255mm / 9.5 x 10in | 32 Pages | Colour
The Battle
From: USD $15.99Starting School Can be Scary Sometimes!
Edward is anxious to start knight-school. He puts on his armour, prepared for battle. It’s sure to be terrifying with all those ogres and dragons about. But at school, Edward is befriended by an ogre who offers him some of her lunch. Edward soon realizes that maybe things aren’t as bad as they first seemed. In fact, his armour was holding him back. As he learns to let his guard down, magic and fun await and Edward realizes the dragons and ogres he feared are actually just like him.
Download the Teacher’s Notes Here
Specifications: Hardback/Paperback | 245 x 255 mm / 9.5 x 10 inches | 32 Pages | Colour
Brave
Brave, the second book in the Lessons of a LAC series, provides kids with a strategy for how to face things that worry them. While kids are blessed with imagination, that can be a source of anxiety. However, it can also be tapped to help them to feel calm, confident and BRAVE! In Brave, Curly teaches Loppy how to manage his worries, specifically his worries about going to school. However, the technique of helping children to ‘find their brave’ can be applied to any challenging situation.
SPECIFICATIONS: 9781925117844 | Paperback | 310 x 230 mm / 12¼ x 9 inches | 32 Pages | Colour
The Boy in the Big Blue Glasses
From: USD $8.99Sam doesn’t like his new glasses. They make his ears hurt. His parents say he looks handsome in them. But Sam just wants to look like himself. His teacher doesn’t recognize him — she says he must be a new superhero. But Sam doesn’t want to be a superhero. He just wants to be himself. Eventually, with a bit of confidence and a lot of humour, Sam finds out that wearing glasses isn’t so bad — and people still like him just the way he is after all.
Children and teens with glasses face adjustment to wearing them. It can be hard to look after glasses and keep track of where they are. It can make children and teens feel different. They can be teased and identified as different. Kids may refuse to wear their glasses. It’s important that children feel included when they wear glasses and even a superhero. For more information: Visit Good Vision for Life – Good Vision for Life
Download the Teacher’s Notes Here
Congratulations to Susanne and Marjorie who have had The Boy In The Big Blue Glasses shortlisted for The Society of Women Writers NSW Inc book awards 2020!
SPECIFICATIONS: 9781925335996/9781925820560 | 215 x 288 mm / 8.5 x 11.25 inches | Hardback/Paperback | 32 Pages
The Box Cars
Liam and Kai are the best of friends. Each day in the park they race around in their box cars, pretending to be everything from policemen to limo drivers! One day they notice a little girl watching them — she’s keen to join in, but there’s only room for two. A fun-filled story of friendship, sharing and creative problem-solving!
Download the Teacher’s Notes Here
SPECIFICATIONS: 245 x 255 mm | 9.5 x 10 inches | Hardback | 32 Pages
Invisible Jerry
USD $17.99 Tax IncludedPeople don’t notice Jerry. If someone bumps into him, they don’t say sorry. If he makes a joke, no one laughs. He never gets picked last for sports teams — but that’s because he never gets picked at all. It’s like he’s invisible. Until Molly comes along. Molly asks Jerry his opinion. She laughs with him. She sees him. This is a picture book with humour and heart for everyone who has ever felt like they’re on the outside looking in.
Download the Teacher’s Notes Here
SPECIFICATIONS: Hardback | 245 x 255 mm | 9.5 x 10 inches | Colour | 32 Pages