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 23 results
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
Mindfulness at Play
USD $22.99 Tax Included
Parenting healthy, happy children with old wisdom and new science
Mindfulness at Play was written by a mindfulness expert and university lecturer, a psychologist and play therapist. (both are parents) to help parents and young people recognise and expand the practice of mindfulness in their lives, as well as recognise and respond to whatever is getting in its way. It introduces mindfulness and play-based training exercises and activities, as well as evidence-based mindfulness knowledge.
Specifications: Paperback | 229 x 152mm / 9 x 6in | 240 pages
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.
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
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
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
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 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