11 books to help you teach kids about anxiety and difficult emotions

One by one, the other birds fly into her tree, wanting to talk or to play, but the Go-Away bird just shakes her head and sends them all away. But then the dangerous Get-You bird comes along, and she soon realizes that she might need some friends after all . . . The Go-Away Bird combines brilliant rhyming verse from much-loved children’s author Julia Donaldson, creator of the bestselling picture books The Gruffalo and What the Ladybird Heard, with stunning illustrations from the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal-winning Catherine Rayner. A charming story about the power of friendship from a thrilling creative partnership, this beautiful book is perfect for reading together.

Follow ten-year-old Floella as she and her family set sail from the Caribbean to a new life in London. Alone on a huge ship for two weeks, then tumbled into a cold and unfriendly London, coming to England wasn't at all what Floella had expected . . . What will her new school be like? Will she meet the Queen? Filled with optimism and joy, yet deeply personal and relevant, young children will follow Floella's experiences of moving home and making friends. Alongside vibrant illustrations by Diane Ewen, this powerful story shows little people how courage and determination can always overcome adversity.

With flaps, tabs and sliders, I Can Be Patient helps young children to understand why they have to wait and how they can develop their ability to be patient. With delightful illustrations from Marie Paruit on every page, this is the perfect book for parents and carers to share with young children who are just starting to recognize their feelings and to develop their emotional intelligence. Explanations, hints and tips from Early Years expert Dr Janet Rose will provide parents with all the extra guidance they need.

With flaps, tabs and sliders, I Can Say Sorry will help young children to learn when they need to say sorry – and how to say it with meaning. With delightful illustrations from Marie Paruit, this is the perfect book for parents and carers to share with young children who are just starting to recognize their feelings and to develop their emotional intelligence. Explanations, hints and tips from Early Years expert Dr Janet Rose will provide parents with all the extra guidance they need.

Sometimes I am Worried helps young children to start managing their emotions. They can lift the flaps, slide the tabs and turn the wheel to explore what a worry is, why they might worry and how they can stop their worries from becoming too big. With delightful illustrations from Marie Paruit on every page, this is the perfect book for parents and carers to share with young children who may be anxious about something and to develop their emotional intelligence. Explanations, hints and tips from Early Years expert Dr Janet Rose will provide parents with all the extra guidance they need.

Who will Albert be next? A fearless mountaineer, a brilliant mechanical engineer or a galactic megalord? Anything is possible with an imagination like Albert's as he powers through his day. As a boy, Albert is nervous in a swimming lesson, but as Zandrian Delaclair, Antarctic Submariner and slayer of vampire cuttlefish, he's as brave and bold as can be. Show and Tell in front of the whole class can be a bit scary, but by imagining himself to be Professor Octavius Pickleswick he's proud to show off his greatest invention yet.

Everybody knows that crocodiles love water, but this little crocodile is different. He doesn't like water at all. In fact, he prefers climbing trees! But it can be lonely when you're the odd one out, so the little crocodile tries his best to change. But being wet isn't for everyone - and a shiver soon becomes a cold and the cold becomes a sneeze, a very hot sneeze... Could it be that this little crocodile isn't a crocodile at all? 

A Marcus Rashford Book Club Choice, Silas and the Marvellous Misfits is an adventure that will show every child the joy of being themselves. 

As a secret member of the Dream Defenders, Erika helps to banish your worries while you sleep! Tonight they're on a mission to rescue Erika's best friend Silas from the clutches of the Glooms. Evil Glooms want everyone in the dream world to look and think exactly the same way, but can the Dream Defenders defeat the Glooms, save Silas, and help him see that being a misfit can be truly marvellous? 

Discover more of the Dream Defenders' adventures in Erika and the Angermare and Chanda and the Devious Doubt. 

Meet the Dream Team, turning nightmares into incredible adventures. Erika's had a bad day. But going to sleep upset means bad dreams. She finds herself stranded in the Dreamscape along with a mob of hungry Heebie Jeebies – and to make matters worse, she's being hunted by a terrifying Angermare. Enter the Dream Team! Can they help Erika overcome her worries and get home, or will she be trapped forever?  

Erika's friend Kris is HILARIOUS. She thinks he should perform in their school's talent show, but he's far too nervous. And when Erika gets a call from the Dream Team to help on a mission, she meets another girl who is struggling with confidence. Chanda's dream is being attacked by the jitters and nothing seems to be going right. Try as they might, the team can't get control of her dream – until Erika realizes that there is a connection between Chanda and Kris. Can she help Chanda to find some confidence before the jitters take over completely?