The world can be a scary place for children at times. It’s no secret that there are a lot of things happening these days that can be difficult to understand. Whether we mean to or not, children are bright and curious—they will overhear hushed conversations, catch snippets of scary news on the radio or the news, or hear about breaking news in school. Conversations about natural disasters, war, climate change, and pandemics can be hard to digest at such a young age. Feeling overwhelmed and anxious without understanding why is completely normal, and we’ve provided a guide below of picture books to help children navigate handling big feelings as the world continues to change. These books are especially for Preschoolers and Kindergarteners, but we recommend you read them prior to sharing them with your child. A quick perusal will help you lead any discussions that may occur after reading together.
Anxiety & Worry
Sadness & Grief
Scary Things in the News
All of these titles and more can be found in the catalog here on hpcl.net. If you would like to explore a topic further, please head to your local branch and one of our staff members can help you find what you’re looking for. The world is a scary place sometimes, but with these titles we hope to start a little more conversation and spread a little more kindness.
Additional Resources
How to talk to children about difficult news | American Psychological Association
Talking about Tough Topics with Children and Adolescents | Kenosha Public Library
National Youth Crisis Helpline: 1-800-442-HOPE
This article by HCPL blogger Anna Weinberger. was initially published in May 2022 under the title "Picture Books for Big Feelings." It is republished with additional resources contributed by HCPL staff.
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