Do you remember how we used to switch on all the lights before going to the washroom? How we avoided going to the jungle after dusk? How we never turned to look back on an empty road? How we were scared to move ahead when a black cat crossed our path? Have you ever asked yourself why we did all this? What was the reason behind our weird behavior? It was fear.
Fear is a natural for all human beings and kids are no exception. Sometimes we fear particular things and situations so much that it turns into our phobia. Similarly, kids too develop acute fear or phobia when they have fearful experiences with an object or situation. Phobia may be both genetic and environmental and might affect kids in different ways. Let’s motivate kids to manage and conquer their fears and phobias through books. Here are our top picks for books to help kids manage their fears and phobias.
Franklin in the Dark (25th Anniversary Edition) by Paulette Bourgeois, illustrations by Brenda Clark
Franklin in the Dark is a story about a turtle named Franklin. He is afraid of darkness which happens to be inside his own shell. Because of this, he refuses to go inside his shell. But one day Franklin took a tour of the world and he came across many species who face and conquer their fears every day. For example, a bird conquers its fear of height, duck faces its hydrophobia every day and more. This encourages Franklin to conquer his own fear. This story with captivating illustrations will teach kids that everyone has some fears and they naturally live with them by conquering them every day.
The Dark by Lemony Snicket, illustrations by Jon Klassen
THE DARK by Lemony Snicket is a story of a small boy named Laszlo who is afraid of the dark which lives in the same house as him. This book acquaints you with Laszlo’s journey of facing darkness and reaching to the conclusion that darkness would never bother him again. It is a story which will teach kids to face their fears and conquer them.
Brave as a Mountain Lion by Ann Herbert Scott, illustrations by Glo Coalson
Brave as a Mountain Lion by Ann Herbert Scott is a story of a boy named Spider who secured perfect scores in the spelling bee but is still afraid of going to the stage. But rather than backing down, he seeks advise of his elders who motivate him to go to the stage and conquer his fear like they did. Even though the book is focussed on stage fear, it teaches kids that fear is a natural and common feeling. It can be conquered by seeking support from elders and building self-confidence.
There’s an Alligator under My Bed (There’s Something in My Room Series) by Mercer Mayer
Written by Mercer Mayer, There’s an Allegator under My Bed is a story about a boy who is scared of the alligator under his bed. In order to get rid of the alligator the boy thinks of a wonderful plan of luring it to the garage and getting rid of it. This book motivates kids to eliminate their fears through various solutions and never be afraid of them.
Curious George Goes to the Hospital by H. A. Rey and Margret Rey
Curious George Goes to the Hospital by H. A. Rey and Margret Rey is a story about a curious monkey named George who swallows a piece of a puzzle by mistake and is immediately rushed to the hospital. There he learned everything about the hospital, how it works and what all tools are used in the hospital. But there as well he commits a mischief. This book teaches kids that just like George we all are curious about stuff around us. And often this curiosity lands us in trouble. But rather than fearing the trouble, we should learn to solve it and hence conquer it.
Thunder Cake by Patricia Polacco
Through Thunder Cake, Patricia Polacco narrates how her grandmother Babushka helped her overcome her fear of a thunder clap when she was a little girl. Whenever there used to be thunder claps her grandmother used to interpret the weather as “This is Thunder Cake baking weather,” and then together they used to collect all the ingredients around the farm in order to make the cake before the storm. This book teaches kids a whole new definition of thunderstorm in which kids don’t hide under blanket out of fear but enjoy out in the open. It teaches them to find an alternative of dealing with fear by celebrating it.
The Invisible String by Patrice Karst, illustrations by Geoff Stevenson
Written by Patrice Karst, The Invisible String narrates a story where twins Jeremy & Liza’s mother say that everyone on the planet is attached through an invisible string of love. This book, with the help of the invisible string approach, helps kids overcome the fear of loneliness or separation and teaches them that they are never really alone. It teaches them that “People who love each other are always connected by a very special String, made of love. Even though you can’t see it with your eyes, you can feel it deep in your heart, and know that you are always connected to the ones you love.”
First Day Jitters: 1 (The Jitters Series) by Julie Dannenberg and illustrated by Judy Love
Everyone is afraid of something new and so is Sarah Jane Hartwell who doesn’t want to start a new day at school because everyone is a stranger there. First Day Jitters: 1 (The Jitters Series) is a story about Sarah’s efforts, to overcome the first day jitters and muster the courage to go to school. This book teaches kids the methods to overcome first days at school.
Scaredy Squirrel At Night by Melanie Watt
Scaredy squirrel never sleeps out of fear of bad dreams about monsters, vampires, bats, etc. and thus plans to be nocturnal. But one day he comes across a prediction that all his dreams are about to come true. This scares him so much that he starts preparing a master plan to avoid vampires and monsters. Scaredy Squirrel At Night by Melanie Watt teaches kids to not be fearful of bad dreams and provides them with methods to overcome that fear.
There are still many books that can teach kids to face and conquer their fears and phobias. Books with illustrations are the best way to teach kids new things because they don’t only learn values through books but also inculcate the habit of reading. So happy reading, dear kids!
Before you go, you may also enjoy reading these posts:
Recommended reading: 12 Comforting Picture Books For Kids With Separation Anxiety
Recommended reading: 5 Books To Help Your Child Understand Emotions
Recommended reading: Teach Your Child To Be Empathetic: An Age-by-age Guide
Recommended reading: Best Children’s Books About Friendship
